Choosing the wedding scent

Weddings are arguably the biggest day for couples as they get ready to walk down the aisle and say, ‘I do’, committing to a life with each other among family and friends. Certain aromas can have a particular association with the brain, and choosing a new fragrance to wear on your special day can unlock a transformative feeling towards those precious moments, which can be cherished for years to come when worn.

ARRAN Sense of Scotland’s fragrance expert Lois Bell shares her advice for brides and grooms looking to enhance wedding celebrations with a signature scent. There are a few things to consider when picking a wedding scent, from the theme of your big day to the intensity of the aroma, allowing brides and grooms to alter the impact of their scent for the ceremony right through into the evening reception.  

Theme
Couples are now, more than ever before, heading abroad to get hitched. Destination weddings are great for giving both brides and grooms a unique opportunity to have a bit of fun with picking a scent for the wedding, using the location as inspiration for the overall aroma.

For example, a summertime beachy wedding would lend itself beautifully to subtle fragrances that contain soft notes. Our Kildonan collection is gorgeous for her, with delicate floral aromas from violet leaf, orris and lily of the valley. Machrie is our men’s fragrance which is refreshing and zingy, with layers of sea salt, rock rose, mandarin and patchouli.

If you’re getting married in the great outdoors, opting for a nature-inspired fragrance could lean nicely into the theme. Our best-selling After the Rain woman’s fragrance is utter luxury with layers of lime, rose and sandalwood, creating a multidimensional aroma that is perfect for both day and nighttime.

For him, notes of leather, oud and amber in our Sannox collection is nicely balanced with pink pepper and saffron for a warming aroma that stands the test of time, with up to eight hours wear.

Intensity – EDP vs EDT
It’s important to also think about the feeling you want to get from your fragrance on the big day, with some brides and grooms looking for a light scent that isn’t too overbearing, and others wanting a product that will bring intensity and longevity. Quite often people are a little unsure of the differences between an Eau de Parfum (EDP) and Eau de Toilette (EDT). Both products have the same scent notes, the difference lies in the concentration.

EDP is stronger, with a higher percentage of perfume oil, around 12-18%, resulting in an intensified, long-lasting scent that continues to delight for around 4-5 hours, great for evening wear. EDPs are a little more expensive because of the higher levels of perfume oil but the intensity and longevity make them a special option for your wedding day.

For a subtle scent that offers a lighter feel, the EDT is a pleasure. Featuring a slightly lower perfume oil percentage, around 8-12%, it creates a sumptuous everyday scent, without being too overpowering. If you’re wanting to transition your fragrance from day to night, use an EDT for your ceremony and then layer this into the reception with an EDP.

Testing
Fragrance can react differently to various skin complexions, and the scent from the bottle or a perfume card could be different to how it transfers when it settles on your skin. We always recommend testing different fragrances before investing in your favourite, and a great way to do this is by purchasing samples.

If you are really struggling on where to start and need a hand, our fragrance finder can help you pick a signature scent. To explore ARRAN Sense of Scotland’s full range of luxury fragrances, visit www.arran.com.