Smell Ya Later

So you want to smell good on your wedding day? (not that you smell bad on other days!).  Many brides search high and low for a new perfume for their wedding day in order to have a special scent equated with it.  Some people even suggest to brides to keep your new scent bottled up until the day of as a special touch to add.  This way you have a scent that will forever remind you two of the wedding.

Well, I’m going to go against the grain and disagree with that!  Ladies, there is no problem with wanting to have a different perfume for your wedding day.  After all it IS special, and you don’t want to smell the same way you always do.  It’s also a great excuse to buy that designer brand you’ve been eyeing  but just couldn’t justify buying for everyday use. 

Here is where I think most brides go wrong.  They buy their dream scent and save it.  They break it out the morning of the wedding and splash it on.  Sounds like a plan, right?  Well, I see two problems.  The first and foremost being what if he doesn’t like it?!?!?! The second being is wearing a new perfume for the first time on your wedding day really enough to make a lasting memory of that smell in his mind?  No, that takes some conditioning.  Think Pavlov’s dogs and the bell.

The first problem doesn’t need much further explanation.  You don’t want to be hyped up for your new perfume, just to find out later that it’s not something he particularly enjoys as much as you do.  There’s a couple ways around that depending on how willing he is.  The first being, shop for a new scent when he’s with you.  I know, I know, how taboo!  Letting him help pick something out?  Crazy!  If he’s willing swing into Sephora real quick to test some scents and find out what he’s into and what he’s not.  This will give you a guide to what he likes.  Smell is a powerful thing.  It’s important to find something you both like.  The other option is to get your hands on some samples and try them out at home.  Ask his opinion on what you are wearing.  You aren’t asking him if you look fat in your jeans so he should be able to give you his honest opinion.  There’s nothing wrong with him telling you his not as crazy about a perfume you have chosen.  It just means it’s not “the one”.

Now that you’ve established your scent comes the second part.  I don’t believe one day is enough to make a lasting impression so that whenever he smells this perfume in the future he’s magically whisked away back to the wedding day.  I think more likely what will happen is he‘ll start thinking “That smells familiar.  Where have I smelled this before?  It’s not how she usually smells…. Does my mom wear this? My sister? My coworker?”  And now you’ve got him thinking about every other woman he comes into contact with.  My suggestion is to choose your scent six months before your wedding.  As things are winding down to your last vendor visits start wearing it for everything wedding.   Going to see the florist one last time? WEAR IT!  Engagement pics?  WEAR IT!  Bridal shower?  WEAR IT!   Now he is starting to familiarize himself with the scent and unconsciously equating it to the wedding.  Now of course you wear this on your wedding day, and even the honeymoon.  Then tuck it back away and go back to your everyday perfume.  Whenever you have a date night, and especially your one year anniversary, break it back out, dab it on and now you’ve conditioned him to instantly think back, not to just the wedding day, but the entire wedding process: the excitement leading up to it, the love you felt the day of the wedding, and the natural high you felt on your honeymoon. 

Any men reading my blog?  This works both ways.  A good cologne can go a long way.

Lastly, its always important to test your scent before the big day anyways as we all know, perfume never smells the same on everyone.  Make sure you do a test run to ensure it meshes well with your body chemistry.

Of course what would a blog be without some suggestions so here are some of my favorite scents.

The first I actually stumbled upon by accident and was my inspiration or this blog.  It was given to me in powder form during my own bridal shower.  I fell. In. love!  I started using it about a month before my wedding and later bought the body spray.  As a live example of why my perfume theory works, every time I smell this I instantly am reminded of my shower, my wedding and my honeymoon. The whole package and it makes me instantly happy.

Bombshell by Victoria’s Secret -  blend of passion fruit, Shangri-la yellow peony and vanilla orchid

Another soft, romantic scent that I just love is a Ralph Lauren scent.  The thing I love about a perfume like this is that it’s absolutely timeless.

Romance by Ralph Lauren - Sungoddess rose, marigold, ginger, chamomile oil, yellow freesia, white violet, lotus flower, day lily, patchouli, oakmoss, musk

 

One of my husband’s favorites is on the higher end of things.  It’s a little heavier of a scent as well as on the musky side, rather than sweet and floral.

Angel by Thierry Mugler - Bergamot, Hedione, Helional, Honey, Dewberry, Red Berries, Vanilla, Caramel, Patchouli, Chocolate, Coumarin

Want something a little more modern and sassy?

London by Burberry - Clementine, Honeysuckle, English Garden Rose, Tiare Flower, Jasmine, Peony, Veil of Musks, Indian Sandalwood, Patchouli

If you like the best of the best and are looking for a top shelf brand I would go with Dior over Chanel.  You want something unique so you don’t smell like too many other people and Chanel is a very go to brand for top shelf perfume.  Be different and go with Dior.  This particular perfume keep the ultra feminine tone that Chanel has, but its not as popular so you don’t run as much of a risk as smelling like you fiancé’s sister or cousin.

Addict Shine by Christian Dior - cedrat, gardenias, raspberries and cedar woods

Looking for something that won’t break the bank but smells expensive?  This perfume is also ideal for an outdoor, backyard or garden wedding.

Green Tea by Elizabeth Arden - citrus lemon, rhubarb, peppermint, oakmoss, musk and amber

If you like woodsy scents don’t be afraid to dip into a different genre of stores.  Perfume is perfume.  You are never too old or young for a scent and you don’t wear the box on your sleeve.  I love woodsy and have searched high and low for a woodsy perfume that beats this one from back in my college days.

Classic by Abercrombie – fresh citrus, green apple, gardenia, pear blossom