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I didn't mean to have a special wedding fragrance.

My now husband proposed while we were on vacation in Italy. As you can imagine, it was one of the most memorable vacations of our lives. On our way home, I impulsively bought a bottle of Jean Patou's EnJoy because I loved how it smelled like dried roses - I normally associate roses with old ladies, but it was a romantic time and my nose was following my heart.

Of course, I wore the fragrance all through our engagement, the wedding planning, the daydreaming of what married life would be like. When I spritzed it on my wedding day I knew that every time I would smell this perfume I would remember what being a bride felt like. I got a whiff of it the first time I kissed my new husband, during our first dance, and every time I got a hug from one of our guests. I wore it on our tropical honeymoon when all we did was talk about how much fun we had at our wedding.

Whenever I want to bring back that heady newlywed feeling I spray some of my wedding fragrance and it takes me back. It works better than looking at my expensive album, or the many beautiful gifts sent by our friends. Forget things - nothing evokes a memory better than scent.

If you're newly engaged, I recommend you buy a new perfume based on how you feel right now and wear it every day until your wedding. When you're an old married couple like us (it happens quickly!) you'll be glad you did.