Wedding season is in full swing, and if you're anything like me, then you probably have quite a few ceremonies to attend this summer. Three of my best friends are getting married this year, and between booking flights, hotels, hen parties and more, I've not had a lot of time to think about what I'm wearing.
Although I might have left my dress choice to the last minute, one thing I do have planned is my wedding guest perfume. As a fragrance-obsessed beauty editor, I always like to plan my perfumes in advance, and to me, there's something so special about the fragrance you choose to wear to watch your loved ones tie the knot.
You see, each and every one of my perfumes holds sentimental value. My collection is full of scents that have seen me through some of the biggest occasions in my life, and every time I spritz them I am taken back to a specific time and place where I wore the fragrance for the very first time. So, this summer, I want to make sure I wear a summer scent that will work for all of the weddings I will be attending, so that every time I spritz it, I am reminded of those special days.
I know that choosing a perfume for a big event can be tricky, so I thought I would reach out to a fragrance expert to get their thoughts on what notes to go for when attending a summer wedding. Below, you'll find lots of fragrance recommendations that will be sure to earn you compliments throughout the day, including the one I plan on wearing myself...
What Perfume Notes Are Best to Wear to a Wedding?
Susan Wai Hnin, COO and global director for luxury fragrance brand, Gabar, says that when choosing a wedding guest perfume, it all depends on the time of year and wedding location. "Light, floral and fruity notes might suit spring and summertime outdoor weddings more than heavier oud and wood notes," she explains. "White floral notes such as lily of the valley, tuberose, jasmine and ylang ylang are especially well suited for weddings as they tend to be a bit more understated."
Now that summer is in full swing, Hnin recommends looking out for floral notes alongside citrusy and aquatic notes such as sea salt, lotus flower and cedarwood. "Tropical notes such as coconut, pineapple and guava would also work well for summer beach weddings."
The Best Wedding Guest Perfumes
- Best all-rounder: Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche
- Best aquatic scent: Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt
- Best for abroad weddings: Diptyque Do Son
- Best unique scent: Gabar No.III Swim
- Best scent for day and night: D. S. & Durga Debaser
- Best fresh scent: Prada Les Infusions de Prada Fleur D’Oranger
- Best scent to pop in your handbag: Chanel N°5 L'eau
- Best luxury scent: Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca
- Best sweet scent: Penhaligon's Solaris
- Best powdery scent: Bibbi Iris Wallpaper
1. Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche
Key notes: Amber, coconut milk, sandalwood, vanilla, mandarin, bergamot, lemon, tiare flower, jasmine
First up is one of my favourite fragrances of all time, Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche. This perfume has earned me so many compliments over the years which is why I'll be wearing it to every single wedding this summer. It's a light, fresh scent that feels wonderfully tropical thanks to notes of coconut milk and tiare flower. Plus, amber and jasmine add a sensual edge that makes it perfect for transitioning from day to night.
2. Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Key notes: Ambrette seeds, sea salt, sage
Next up is a more aquatic, woody scent from Jo Malone London. This is perfect for those of you who don't want to wear a floral fragrance this summer. To me, this perfume smells like a fresh sea breeze and would be a beautiful choice for an outdoor ceremony.
3. Diptyque Do Son
Key notes: Tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine, amberwood
Heading to a wedding abroad? You need to know about this Diptyque fragrance. With fresh orange blossom, sensual jasmine and warm tuberose, this floral scent reminds me of nights spent on a hotel balcony having drinks and watching the sun go down.
4. Gabar No.III Swim
Key notes: Blackcurrant bud, galbanum, wild fig, green tea, orris, jasmine, cedarwood, patchouli, tonka, amber, musk
For something a little different, I highly recommend checking out this fragrance from Gabar. Inspired by the jungle region of Hpa-An, Myanmar, it has a fresh, green, mossy scent with a warm, creamy base of tonka, amber and musk.
5. D. S. & Durga Debaser
Key notes: Bergamot, pear stem, green leaf, fig, coconut milk, iris, tonka bean, moss, blond woods
D.S. & Durga has created the perfect perfume for summer weddings. This sensual scent opens with fresh, fruity top notes of pear and bergamot before creamy coconut milk takes centre stage. At the base sits tonka bean and moss which add impressive depth and make this fragrance ideal for both day and night.
6. Prada Les Infusions de Prada Fleur D’Oranger
Best fresh scent
Key notes: Orange blossom, jasmine, neroli, sandalwood
If you like a fresh, floral perfume, then Prada's Les Infusions De Prada Fleur D’Oranger might be the one for you. Zesty orange is the key note here, but it is beautifully balanced with smooth jasmine and sandalwood for a truly captivating finish.
7. Chanel N°5 L'eau
Best scent to pop in your handbag
Key notes: Lemon, mandarin, orange, aldehydes, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, vetiver, cedar, musk
This breezy floral perfume from Chanel is a super fresh, modern take on the iconic N°5 fragrance. It blends the distinct powdery, floral scent with woody, citrusy undertones, and trust me when I say that it smells so luxurious. Plus, the petite 35ml bottle is perfect for popping in your handbag to take with you on the day.
8. Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca
Key notes: Lemon, clover, mint, green tea, lily-of-the-valley, cyclamen
This Guerlain fragrance is truly one of a kind. It's a refreshing, herby scent that makes me feel as if I'm walking through the French countryside on a hot summer's day. Lemon, green tea and mint take centre stage, but the addition of lily-of-the-valley and cyclamen add a soft, floral touch.
9. Penhaligon's Solaris
Key notes: Blackcurrant, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla
I'm yet to try a Penhaligon's fragrance that I don't love, but Solaris would definitely be in my top three. This scent is ideal for any summer event, with a smooth, creamy base of sandalwood and vanilla that is brought to life by juicy blackcurrant.
10. Bibbi Iris Wallpaper
Key notes: Peach, carrot, Chinese orris butter, peony, vanilla, leather
If you hate smelling like everyone else then Bibbi perfumes are some of the most innovative and complex scents I've come across. This one is a delightfully powdery peony floral that's soft and elegant and lasts for hours and hours on the skin—making it a perfect choice for summer.
11. Ellis Brooklyn Guava Granita
Key notes: Guava , banana, bergamot, waterlily, cavaillon melon, coconut palm, mango blossom, vanilla, sandalwood, almond milk
A bright and modern take on a fruity perfume, Guava Granita from Ellis Brooklyn is a cocktail of mouthwatering tropical fruits alongside a lingering warmth from vanilla and sandalwood. Never saccharine, this smells deliciously expensive and is particularly perfect for letting your hair down at the wedding reception.
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