The sun is shining, trees are covered in lush green and the flowers are blooming – what a perfect time of year for a wedding! You’ve found your dress, got the bridal party sorted, the venue booked, flowers and cake ordered…but what about your wedding day fragrance? We at Rescu. have a few suggestions for you (and members of your bridal party) – a pair for each category from an age-old wedding saying:
‘Something Old’ – classic fragrances
Estee Lauder, Beautiful
Known as “the fragrance of a thousand flowers”, Beautiful features a top note of mandarin, a bouquet of rose, lily, tuberose, marigold, orange flower, muguet (lily of the valley), jasmine and ylang-ylang, and a base of sandalwood, amber and vetiver. Released in 1985, it’s a rich floral perfect for a classic bride! (If, when you try this on your skin, you find it a bit too much, try its ‘younger sister’ Beautiful Love – a bit sweeter, with a mix of fruit, floral notes and luscious base notes.)
Available from Myer, David Jones, The Perfume Connection, selected independents and from EsteeLauder.com.au (30ml EDP – $90, 75ml EDP – $130, 100ml EDP – $165; 50ml EDT – $100; also available in matching body products)
Clinique, Aromatics Elixir Perfumers Reserve (Limited Edition)
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Aromatics Elixir is released as a limited edition extrait du parfum (more concentrated than an eau de parfum) with a modern twist. This new interpretation includes bergamot, peach, orange blossom, tuberose, vetiver, clary sage and myrrh blending with the original’s notes of rose, jasmine, patchouli and oak moss. A great scent for the mother of the bride to wear on her daughter’s special day!
Available from Clinique.com.au and Myer and David Jones city stores (25ml extrait du parfum – $175)
‘Something New’ – scents from the last 5 years
Chloe, Love, Chloe
Ladies, if you’re looking for an elegant fragrance that isn’t overpowering, Love, Chloe fits the bill. Orange blossom and pink pepper open this soft floral, which then blends with a heart of iris, lilac, hyacinth, wisteria, heliotropine, and a powdery base of musk, talc and rice powder. The key word to describe Love, Chloe: powder – it’s warm and comforting, yet oh-so-stunning. The bride, maid of honour or bridesmaids could wear it!
For an added layer of spice, try Love, Chloe Eau Intense – the gorgeous powdery scent is joined by amber, vanilla absolute and peru balsam. Perfect for an evening reception!
Available from Myer, David Jones and selected perfumeries and independents (30ml EDP – $90, 50ml EDP – $130, 100ml EDP – $170); limited edition Love, Chloe Eau Intense is available from November 27 (50ml EDP – $130)
Estee Lauder, Sensuous Nude
What about an intimate, sensual fragrance to wear on your honeymoon with your new husband? Estee Lauder’s second follow-up to 2008’s Sensuous is the seductive, woody musk scent Sensuous Nude. It features bergamot, mandarin, pink and black pepper, jasmine, muguet, coconut water, honey, sandalwood, musk, heliotrope, vanilla and woody notes. It feels just like a second skin!
Available from Myer, David Jones, selected independents and from EsteeLauder.com.au (30ml EDP – $85, 50ml EDP – $110, 100ml EDP – $150; also available as a moisturiser)
‘Something Borrowed’ – for both the bride & groom
Sisley, Eau d’Ikar
Inspired by the island of Corsica and created around the note of mastic, an aromatic resin from a Mediterranean tree of the same name, is Sisley’s newest fragrance release, Eau d’Ikar. It’s a fresh, herbal and slightly floral scent with notes of bergamot, bitter orange, lemon, carrot seed, orange pekoe tea, iris, jasmine, ambergris, vetiver and sandalwood all blending seamlessly with the citrus/green mastic note. Even though it’s sold as a men’s scent, we think it’s perfect for ladies who love their fresh fragrances!
Available exclusively at selected David Jones stores (50ml EDT – $100, 100ml EDT – $160)
Guerlain, Vetiver
Another great fresh scent that both bride and groom can wear on their day is Guerlain’s Vetiver. A mix of fresh citrus top notes (bergamot, lemon, and mandarin), coriander, woody Haitian vetiver root and a spicy base of tobacco, capsicum, nutmeg and pepper, this scent is perfect for warm weather. Guerlain Vetiver is a timeless scent, clean and energising, with a slightly smoky, spicy presence that lasts on the skin.
Available at Myer, David Jones and selected independents (50ml EDT – $93, 100ml EDT – $129)
‘Something Blue’ – for the men
Davidoff, Champion Energy
Following the success of Champion, Davidoff releases a fresher, more energetic update of its previous release. Grapefruit and bergamot bring an added zing to the spice and galbanum mid notes, rounding off with a base of oakmoss and cedarwood. Champion Energy will easily take you from the daytime ceremony to the evening reception.
Available from Myer, David Jones and selected pharmacies and independents (30ml EDT – $45, 50ml EDT – $65, 90ml EDT – $90)
Bvlgari Man
For a more mature scent for the groom (or father of the bride), Bvlgari Man is our recommendation. This is a sophisticated woody oriental, with notes of bergamot, violet leaves, lotus blossom, vetiver, cypriol (from the same family as papyrus), white woods, cashmere wood, sandalwood, benzoin, amber, white honey and musk. Classy, modern, and perfect for any occasion, from a spring wedding to a business meeting!
Available from Myer, David Jones, The Perfume Connection and selected independents (60ml EDT – $104, 100ml EDT – $135)