Smells Like Falling in Love

It’s well known that the human sense of smell is intrinsically tied to memory. So it comes as no surprise that choosing the perfect wedding scent has become one of the more anticipated pre-wedding purchases an engaged couple can make. Though it’s importance can bring on some stress and a barage of questions - “What do I want to smell like?” “What should I smell like?” “What do I want my partner to smell on me as we meet at the end of the aisle?” - we, at The Drydown Boutique, are seeking to make it easier by sharing some fragrances we feel would be perfect to wear during your nuptials.

That said, we also believe that the perfect wedding scent is individual to each individual. The truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect wedding scent. The right wedding perfume for you can only be decided by you. So feel free to take our opinions with a hefty grain of salt (or two.)

It should also be noted that with over 300 perfumes to choose from in store, narrowing down to just three per category got difficult. That’s why this will be part 1 of 2 wedding scent newsletters!

For the ones who were most excited for cake tasting

Superfluo by Inverso Profumi

notes: Sicilian fruits, apple, candied fruits, rose, jasmine, caramel, peony, cedarwood, chocolate, vanilla, amber

perfumer: Maurizio Nazarevskaia

Superfluo would be a gorgeous scent to wear at sunset when the sky is full of its richest and deepest hues. This is a perfume that can only be described as luscious and resonant. Between the candied fruits, caramel, peony, and cedarwood, this is a fragrance that manages richness and depth without ever veering into cloying or sticky territory. If you like a bit of sensuality with your sweets, Superfluo may be worth a sniff.

Vanilla in Bourbon by Scents of Wood

notes: lemon zest, cardamom, cinnamon bark, myrrh, gurjun alatus balsam, ambreine, vanilla bean, guaiacwood, olibanum

perfumer: Laurent le Guernec

Vanilla in Bourbon is rich, spicy, decadent, and would wear beautifully for an autumn or winter wedding. This is a fragrance so balanced and well-blended, it’s a treat to the senses. If you’re a cardamom lover, Vanilla in Bourbon just might be your next obsession.

Blanche Bete by Liquides Imaginaires

notes: ambrette seed, milk, jasmine, mystikal, tuberose, incense, tonka, cacao, vanilla

perfumer: Louise Turner

Blanche Bete has a cult following for a reason. It’s soft and sweet and develops so beautifully on skin. This is what perfume should be. Gorgeous on the strip, but even better once it plays with skin chemistry. I could see this being such a unique and romantic choice for a wedding perfume. It literally smells like what I imagine cloud 9 smells like.

For the ones who want to become one with the floral arrangements

Aurantium Jasmine by J-Scent

notes: neroli, bergamot, mandarin, jasmine sambac, orange flower, muguet, musk, amber, guaiacwood

perfumer: Hironobu Kobayashi

I can practically picture the fiance(e) wearing this perfume. This is a person who would describe their sense of style as timeless & chic. When they go shopping for their big day, they’re looking for luxe fabrics and pay attention to textures. They know that when they look back on their wedding photos, they won’t have any regrets about a single detail that took place on their wedding day. Aurantium Jasmine is warm, crisp, and elegant. This perfume is so beautifully distinct, it is sure to be a perfect pick for your wedding day.

Princess of China by d’Annam

notes: peony, white lotus, silk, lychee, pear

perfumer: Anh Ngo

I mean who doesn’t want to smell like royalty on their wedding day? Princess of China is floral, fruity, and sweet while remaining ever so delicate. This is a perfume meant to be carried along a soft breeze and into the consciousness of the person standing with you at the altar.

Karat EG by Maison d’Etto

notes: earth, Turkish rose, carrot heart, patchouli, amber

perfumer: Carlos Benaim

The same way I believe there is a rose for every nose, I also feel that there is a rose for every occassion. In the case of a wedding, there is no rose more up to the task as Karat EG. It offers the freshness of walking through a rose garden, but there’s enough depth coming from the earth, patchouli, and amber to keep it grounded and elegant. If you want to go floral, but aren’t a fan of white florals, a rose fume could be a perfect option for your special day.

For the coastal wedding

La Mar by House of Bo

notes: jasmine, seawater, pink pepper, gardenia, tuberose, ginger, coconut, almond milk, benzoin resin

perfumer: Rodrigo Flores-Roux

A good argument could be made for any one of the House of Bo frags being chosen as a wedding scent, but this newsletter would get too long so we’re picking just one. La Mar takes the romanticism of getting lost at sea to the nth degree. Which makes it perfect for any wedding taking place along the coast. A perfect blend of fresh ocean air and white florals, La Mar is lush and luxe as it is addictive.

Pacific Rock Flower by Goldfield & Banks

notes: coralflower, cocowax, tuberose, patchouli, australian sandalwood

perfumer: Emilie Bouge

Pacific Rock Flower is such a treat for the senses. Floral, marine, fresh, and stunning. It smells like a fast approching tropical honeymoon getaway, making it ideal for those antsy to get past all the pomp and circumstance and fly away hopelessly in love.

Desert Rain by Day Three

notes: juniper, cactus bloom, nutmeg, bergamot, papyrus, green tea, desert rain, sage, sandalwood, olibanum, leather, dry woods

perfumer: Michael Paul

Desert Rain may just be one of our most dashing fragrances in store. It’s sharp, clean, and steady. The same way love should be steadfast, Desert Rain will stick with you all day. This is a fragrance that feels supremely classic and will stand the test of time. For future anniversaries and date nights, Desert Rain is completely flawless. (It’s no wonder we keep selling out of full bottles at The Drydown.)

For lovers of all things green

Dandelion Butter by Clue Perfumery

notes: pollen, dandelion greens, yellow dandelion, snapped stem, milky sap, salted butter, dandelion-stained chin

perfumer: Laura Oberwetter

Anytime someone walks into the store, and tells me they are looking for a spring wedding scent, Dandelion Butter is one of the first perfumes I suggest to them. Dandelion Butter is fresh, floral, green, and above all, joyful. It is a fragrance that celebrates nature’s rebirth in spring and it is truly unique and stunning. Wedding or not, Dandelion Butter is a perfume worth sniffing.

Everveil by House of Brandt

notes: juniper, forest aromaspace, mountain air, orris, night blooming jasmine, fir balsam, angelica, cypress, incense, white musk

perfumer: Celine Herbette

Everveil is a dapper breath of fresh air. Juniper offers brightness and sharpness at the top of the otherwise dreamy forest and mountain air. If I were to choose which shade of green Everveil is, I would say it shares its hue with pine needles. This is a fragrance that perfectly balances lightness with depth and would be stunning for an outdoor or forest wedding!

Studio Scent by Kismet Olfactive

notes: Turkish fig, bergamot, black tea, lavender, amberwood, palo santo, oakmoss

perfumer: Shabnam Tavakol

The beauty of fig in perfumery is how multifaceted it is as a fragrance note. It can be jammy, milky, fruity, juicy or, green. Studio Scent is a perfect blend of these facets. It’s bright and juicy, green, and it is deeply rooted through the inclusion of amberwood, palo santo, and oakmoss. There’s something deeply romantic and symbolic about wearing a fig fragrance on your wedding day too. Fig trees are notoriously difficult to dig up. Once they’re planted, their roots spread wide and they anchor themselves into their soil. All the best marriages behave in a similar way. A commitment is made, and it’s unshakeable.

So there you have it! These are some of our favorite wedding fragrance options. In part 2, which we will publish a few weeks from now, we will cover some categories not listed in part 1 so there’s a lot to look forward to. Also, if you are getting married soon and want to send in the season, style of venue, or general vibe you’re looking for, I would love to add some personally tailored recommendations for you in part 2 as well. Feel free to leave a comment here, or direct message us on Substack & Instagram @ drydownboutique

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