Looking for an unexpected way to personalize your nuptials? Scent your wedding for a whole new level of customization and luxury.
By Samantha Iacia (May 14, 2019)
We’ve seen a lot of wedding trends over the years—some good, some not so good—but this latest idea is one that we wouldn’t mind keeping around for awhile (and honestly, we’re surprised it hasn’t caught on sooner!). We’re talking about how to scent your wedding, which is our favorite up-and-coming trend right now. Olfactory experiences, or weddings that tap into your sense of smell, are a creative way to customize your nuptials, enhance your personal memories of the day, and design a memorable experience for your guests. The greatest thing about this concept? Unlike some trends that only work for a very specific style or budget, a scented wedding is whatever you want it to be, whether you go all-out with fragrant details or opt for a more understated route. Below, we're sharing all the scented wedding tips and inspiration you need to know.
Why should you scent your wedding?
At first, this luxurious idea might seem like something you’d only find at a star-studded celebrity wedding—or should we say a royal wedding, since Kate Middleton used Jo Malone orange blossom candles to fill Westminster Abbey with the fragrance when she wed Prince William all the way back in 2011. But even for those of us who are neither royal nor celebrity, this trend is worth a second thought. Our sense of smell is directly linked with our memories. By having a scented wedding, you’re not only creating a more immersive experience for everyone (hello, aromatherapy!), but you’re actually linking that smell to your wedding day.
Think of it like this: If you’ve ever found an old bottle of perfume or cologne that you used to love but stopped using for whatever reason, you know that a quick sniff can instantly transport you back to the time in your life that is linked to that scent. The same theory can be applied to your wedding day! By incorporating a specific fragrance into your wedding, you're adding a whole new dimension to the memories that you, your spouse, and your guests will have of the day.
For even stronger memories, start during your engagement. Find a new fragrance that you love and vow to use it throughout your planning process, and then ultimately on your wedding day. Whenever you use the same scent in the future, you’ll get to relive all of the emotions and excitement you experienced leading up to the wedding.
Scent your venue
Take a cue from the Duchess of Cambridge and scent your wedding by adding fragrance throughout your venue. To find the perfect scent for your venue, we suggest consulting with an expert at a local home retail store (like West Elm, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and even Bath & Body Works) or trying an online home fragrance service that provides personal recommendations.
Scented candles will bring an ultra-romantic ambience to the space, but if your venue doesn't allow open flames, you still have plenty of options. Reed diffusers and essential oils are the next best thing — luxe candle brands such as Diptyque, Voluspa, and Nest typically offer diffusers with the same fragrance as their best-selling candles. For a more natural route, consider using highly fragrant herbs, like lavender and eucalyptus, to scent your wedding venue by adding them to your centerpieces or place settings.
If you don't want to scent the entire wedding venue, consider adding subtle hints of fragrance throughout the day. A potpourri petal toss, aromatic mists in the restrooms, or a few scented candles at the venue entrance are just some of our favorite ideas.