Many brides think about every aspect of their appearance in the run-up to their big day apart from the fragrance they will wear. Your wedding is one of the happiest and most positive days of your life and there's no better way of capturing those memories than through perfume. "Fragrance is one of the most magical aspects of your day," says perfumer Roja Dove, "as it is all about our associations."
Shopping for scent: the dos and don'ts
- DO shop for perfume alone. "Fragrance is so personal, and such a reflection of your own being and personality that other people may well force their own tastes on you," says Roja Dove.
- DON'T go shopping for a perfume while wearing one - it's far too conflicting.
- DO spray and walk away for an hour. You may love the top notes, but it is the base that determines the final aroma on your skin and this takes about an hour to develop.
- DON'T try and smell too many scents at once. Try three or four at any one time.
- DO waft coffee beans under your nose to cleanse and refresh your sense of smell.
- DON'T judge a scent from the way it smells in the bottle. You'll only catch the top notes and the alcohol it's diluted in, not how it will smell on your skin.
What’s your signature scent?
Choose your fragrance before your flowers. "Some people will take for ever deciding on the flowers for the bouquet. I recommend choosing your perfume first, then create your bouquet around it," says Roja Dove.
If your fragrance is... soft and sultry
- Jean Charles Brosseau Ombre Rose, from £52
- Balenciaga Le Dix, from £47.50
- Jean Desprez Bal a Versailles, from £65
Design your bouquet and table arrangements with the same soft, powdery flowers such as mimosa, peony, iris and full-blown velvety roses.
If your fragrance is... crisp and light
- Nina Ricci L'Air du Temps, from £53
- Miss Dior, from £54
- Hermes Caleche, from £58.50
A bouquet of hyacinths and jonquil will complement it perfectly
If your fragrance is... feminine and sensual
- Lalique de Lalique, from £70
- Jean Patou Joy, £89
- Creed Jasmal, from £150
A bouquet full of stephanotis, jasmine and tuberoses is perfect.
Photo Alun Callender
