Find Your Ideal Wedding-Day Fragrance

by Brooke Showell, Posted Sep 28th 2010 5:00PM

Flowers of the World/Flickr

Scent has a special power over our mood, memory and sense of well-being -- and in the romantic setting of a wedding, the right fragrance can create any atmosphere, from tranquil to totally sexy. But in the throes of planning, it's easy to forget about scent when there's so much to see, taste, hear and touch. So stop and smell the roses: Incorporate a few key fragrances to heighten the day's experience for you and your guests.

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Find Your Ideal Wedding Fragrance

A perfect way to achieve a one-of-a-kind scent for your wedding day is with a custom fragrance. Luxe companies like Saint Parfum specialize in custom-blend fragrances that you can personalize with rare and exotic essential oils (clients complete a detailed evaluation form, then an expert perfumer creates the unique fragrance). Consider gifting your bridesmaids with customized, single-note perfumes that bring out the best in their personalities.

Find Your Ideal Wedding Fragrance

Blooms are the most logical place to bring scent to the wedding, but choose your flowers wisely. Since you'll be holding it close all day, the bouquet is a great place to include your favorite scent. Peter Grontas, co-owner of Flowers of the World in New York, recommends peonies, hyacinth, lilac, sweet pea and freesia for a sweet-smelling bouquet. Spring is the ideal time of year, when the most fragrant flowers are in season. Your bridesmaids may enjoy the same treat, but check first to make sure no one has floral allergies (fragrant flowers can trigger irritation). "A fragrant centerpiece works well at the escort, where guests can catch the scent as they enter the reception," Grontas says.

Find Your Ideal Wedding Fragrance

It's best to avoid anything fragrant near food or drinks; the mix of scents can be confusing to the palette, Grontas says. Let the food's yummy aroma speak for itself, whether it's a juicy prime rib or freshly baked cupcakes. Cocktails can be embellished with a subtle scent, such as an orchid garnish for a martini or a touch of lavender simple syrup in a vodka tonic.

Find Your Ideal Wedding Fragrance

While you don't want to overwhelm your guests, hints of scent appropriately placed throughout a wedding add a subtle nuance to the event's decor. You may want to infuse restrooms, the afterparty lounge or the ceremony site with a fun fragrance. Use the season to add a touch of timeliness to your day -- for example, try a smattering of scented pinecones at a romantic winter wedding. You can place calming scented candles in the restrooms to give guests a break from the lively dance floor. But avoid powerfully perfumed centerpieces or anything that will be placed close to food.

Find Your Ideal Wedding Fragrance

To really up the ante on the power of fragrance, consider renting a scent machine. Small and discreet machines from companies like Scentevents fill the room with a gentle aroma of your choice, whether it's Christmas tree or wedding cake -- or consider a progression of scents throughout the day. Just be aware of guests who may be sensitive to smell.

Find Your Ideal Wedding Fragrance

Let the fragrance of your wedding day linger by sending guests home with a scented favor. Gift them with a pretty scented travel candle, a sprig of lavender (known for its calming influence) or a personalized jar of rosemary (which promotes alertness) to remind them of the day.

Mini Travel Candle, $0.90, beau-coup.com

Find Your Ideal Wedding Fragrance

No matter what type of setting you're trying to create, incorporate one of these scents to master the mood:

Energy: Peppermint, Lemon, Ginger, Sage
Calm: Rose, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Lavender
Love: White Jasmine, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Orange

More on Wedding-Day Fragrance:

How to Pick the Right Perfume for Your Wedding

Perfume-Inspired Foods for Your Wedding Menu

Tags: bridal bouquets, fragrance, perfume, wedding details