A very dear friend’s daughter is getting married this Saturday in New Orleans, and all she wanted was for me to help her find her Wedding Perfume.
One bottle of champagne and several cupcakes later, she picked not one Wedding Perfume but five best perfumes. Megan is 27, and I knew her tastes ran more to the gourmands, she wears Angel most of the time, and she doesnt’ like “old lady” perfumes – don’t hit me, this is just young people shorthand – that contain a lot of violet and iris or are powdery. I kept all my vintage stuff tucked away and focused, obviously, on the modern perfumes, once given that information.
She smelled probably 60 perfumes, narrowing as we went to best perfumes she liked, which helped me keep refining what I brou
ght out for her. This was so fun for me, and it took like 3-4 hours. Every comment about what she smelled gave me more information on what else to bring out.
What Wedding Perfume did she pick?
Her wedding day perfume – Tan Giudicelli Annam. No danger here of having any other bride or person in New Orleans smell like you since this has been discontinued for a few years and about as rare as perfumes get. Rice, milk, comfort, it’s distinct and lasts forever It fits her like a glove.
Perfumes for the other days around her wedding – not sure what she will wear when, but this Catholic New Orleans wedding, complete with brass band second line, carriages and St. Louis Cathedral goes on for 3-4 days, so she needs plenty – are:
Le Labo Musc 25 – she hates musk, but loved that this had all the elements of musk that she did like, but didn’t have that oily, sticky feeling to it.
Van Cleef & Arpels Gardenia Petale – completely perfect for a southern Wedding Perfume, big white flowers in a modern setting.
Byredo La Tulipe – of course! This was like the second or third perfume I brought out for her, and she hugged this one and the Annam close by through all the hours of sniffing, and I knew they were going to make the end cut for Wedding Perfume. Annam barely edged out the Tulipe, but she just wanted something a little more distinctive to remember her wedding by, which the Annam has.
Linari Angelo Di Fiume – Linaris never took off, and I don’t know why, maybe not wide enough distribution? this is gourmandy and sweet, but has a nice sophistication to it.
Best Perfumes for a Wedding, what are your picks? Or what was your Wedding Perfume?
funny,
I just bought serge Lutens Un Lys for my sister who will get married in june in the french countryside;
I’m not married (yet!) but love to ponder wedding scents. My picks in no particular order: VCA Gardenia Petale, AG Songes, OJ Ta’if, FM Carnal Flower, L’Artisan La Chasse Aux Papillions, Penhaligon’s Amaranthine, Amouage Dia (or Gold or Lyric). The question of a groom’s scent is a little more difficult. I think the men’s Amouages would be nice…
Squeak! I’ve got Tan Giudicelli Annam EdT Limited Edition … in the bottle like a tear-drop shaped paper-weight. It came via Le Club des Createurs de Beaute in February 2001. I must live a sheltered life because this is the first time I’ve seen that anyone else anywhere has it too. So exciting.
Unfortunately, the scent reminds me too strongly of a hair-gel that the hairdresser used to use on my hair in my late teens so I simply don’t wear it. It smells delicate and sweet in the air in the room but too close to that memory to be comfortable on me. Shame.
And I can’t recall what scent I wore for my wedding … the little grey cells are failing me!
Well, hold onto that puppy. That’s one of the rarer non-vintage bottles, I assume because there just weren’t that many made and sold.
You’ll be able to sell that bottle if the hair salon memories are too much for you. . . seems that several potential customers are reading this post.
Ohhh I forgot to say what I’d wear at my wedding. Seeing as I may actually get married in the next year or two it’s not impossible to imagine what I’d wear. Top choice would be Cuir Beluga, as one of my very very favorite always & something my sweetie loves. I can’t imagine getting married in a perfume we didn’t both love, and I’d want something rich & sensual to marry in. If I had to add 4 other choices, I could see Profumum Fiore di Ambre or Le Labo Vanille 44. Um. And now I’m getting stuck. I’d have said Vanille Galante last year but this year I keep smelling melon notes in it, which I did not before. And I could almost see Datura Noir if we were marrying in a garden in summer.
Sigh, do you know what it means to miss New Orleans…. Lived there for quite a while and would trade the past three days of snow in the CO foothills easily just to smell a sweet olive tree for a couple of seconds or maybe an oyster po’boy at Casamentos.
Wore Chanel #5 parfum to my wedding a little over 25 years ago. Umm, of course I was a child bride.
I got married almost 11 years ago. I wore Cabotine. I still love it, but don’t wear it that often. The photographer at my (very tiny) wedding was obsessed with my perfume. At the time I thought he was weird.
ha.
Patty, I just did something very similar with my sister last weekend in London – we did a good tour of all the perfume shops (since my collection is fairly limited) and after trying out lots and lots of scents she walked away with a top five or six:
Annick Goutal Neroli (this is her favourite at the mo)
AG Eau de Camille
Byredo Blanche
FM En Passant
Apres L’Ondee/SMN Ginestra
Most of which I would agree would be perfect for her big day!
Patty, how fun! (She is one lucky girl!).
Also pre-perfumista-wanna-be. On my wedding day, 26 years ago, I wore Chanel No. 19. I was partial to green-ish type scents at the time and usually wore Climat but wanted to wear something else, obviously. I went makeup shopping for “the big day” and ended up at the Chanel counter. All the makeup worn that day was by Chanel as was my fragrance. Have no idea if I’ll ever get married again or what I would even wear but I know who I would ask. 😉
I married in September of 2006 (for the first time at 45!) – wore Allure body cream and EDT. Although I’ve always loved perfume, this was before my real perfumania started. I think the emergence of blogs and Makeupalley really accelerated my fanaticism. So much sharing of information out there now – love it!
I have a 25th anniversary coming up this November. I got married BP (before perfumista) and I wore Beautiful by Estee Lauder. Probably because they marketed it for brides and with brides – and they still do!
BTW – if I were getting married today I would wear Ormonde Jayne’s Ta’if.
What I wore is more a reflection of the time than my taste, as at the time I didn’t wear perfume. Unless I was getting married, I guess. It was Caroline Herrera. It seemed to smell “wedding,” and since I couldn’t find the dress I wanted (Dior New Look, anyone? Grace Kelly? Hello? Apparently I was supposed to go to a bridal “boutique” and pick something. What I wanted I couldn’t find in vintage or retail. Perfume was NOT going to be something I stressed about, especially with no clue and no guide a la Patty.)
But I’ll play the what if game:
I’d pick a long weekend of scents.
SOMETHING BORROWED: That would be an Amouage, probably Epic, since I don’t forsee owning a full bottle of one of these soon. But I feel oh-so-luxe when I wear it/them. Gorgeous touch/smell/feel…isn’t that a good state for a bride to be in?
SOMETHING BLUE: L’Heure ___. Duh. (Besides, it relaxes me. And PlayDo is playful. Playful + relaxed on wedding day = good.)
SOMETHING OLD: Oh, now perfumistas can play. At the moment, my pick would be Balenciaga Fuites de Heures. Hay and beauty, and the inspiration to bury myself in the neck of whoever is wearing it. In this case, of course, that would be me.
SOMETHING NEW: And that would be one of my go-to indie perfumers. What would depend on time of year, I think. Ayala Moriel “Grin” or “Rainforest” for something in the green realm; Laurie Erickson/Sonoma Scent Studio “Tabac Aurea” for something cozy; Liz Zorn “Anniebelle’s Rose” (hey, sorry, it’s not out yet, but I got a sample with my last order, and I like it) for something out of the garden for a June wedding.
BTW, Patty, we got to hear what your friend’s daughter picked. You can play this game, too, you know… 🙂
CarolinA Herrera. Sorry.
Wow. Did she luck out or what,with you as a friend? Lucky girl.
I don’t know Annam and I dislike gourmands in general so I can’t really relate (though I did smell Byredo Tulipe last week and it was …nice. I’m surpised you have such love for it but you are so omnivorous when it comes to perfume so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at all! ’tis moi who is a little less adventurous, I fear).
Though I’ve yet to get behind rice and milk accords, preferring lasery scents, the Annam sounds lovelier, certainly, than Angel, which gives me hives).
I don’t have a clue what I wore on my wedding day – it was 20 years ago and ended in an amicable divorce 10 years ago and I wasn’t yet a perfumista. It was probably Fracas – at the time it was my go-to scent.
As Warren Buffet is, I believe, married and there are no Omani shieks asking for my hand in exchange for boxes of emeralds (oh, yeah – there is that current, pesky shackle I have to consider) I doubt I will do the wedding-thing again. Were I to do so, though, I might consider Amouage Gold.
Were Ben Kingsley to ask for my hand I would wear vintage Mitsouko or vintage Chanel No 5 – he looks like he would ‘get’ it.
xoxo >-)
I actually can’t remember if I wore perfume at my wedding, and it was less than three years ago…but if I had to guess, it was probably my old stand-by, Clinique’s Happy. Don’t throw things, please. I love that stuff, still.
I think do think Heeley’s Ophelia would be a beautiful scent on a bride.
Hey, if you have love, enjoy love. :d
I can see a certain kind of bride in Ophelia. She’s skinner, I mean, more “willowy” than I am. But yes, very nice. 🙂
That sounds like so much fun! I bet you both had a blast. And isn’t it wonderful exposing someone to those new scents?
Although I’m glad she fell in love with a couple things she can actually buy, as opposed to Annam. 😉
I was married at the end of October eight years ago and wore vintage Chanel No. 5. It was perfect (for me).
Sounds like a lot of fun you had…that’s really a dream job to have, if one could get it!
I barely remember, but I’m pretty sure I wore L’Feu d’Issey to my wedding, becuase it was my SO’s favorite. Nowadays I’d probably wear some chest-heaving floral more akin to SIP Fair Verona, or maybe SL Rose Noir.
I had a late afternoon wedding in May and wore IUNX Blanche which was perfect since it took place outside. I switched to Kai for the evening.
I know it is cliched by now but I do think Creed Love in White would be a beautiful wedding day fragrance for the right person/setting.
Does anyone else recall the story of the bride that scented her wedding day (church, herself, the reception area, basically everything) with Byredo Pulp? I read that somewhere about a year ago (here or MUA) and have never forgotten it. Pulp is so pungent and not necessarily a “wedding” type perfume to me but to each their own!
I also live in New Orleans, so I guess my first question is: “Are we talking summer or winter?”
For winter, I’d break out one of my Arabian perfumes, probably ‘Manarah’ by Al-Rehab. It’s a combination of rose and jasmine that somehow managages to be complex and deep with just those two ingredients.
It’s also one of the BF’s favorites.Guess that factors in somewhere 🙂
Or else Al-Ward Al Musk, by Rasasi. It’s a black musk and rose scent with a top note of saffron, with honey to support the whole thing.
I’d be happy to decant for the interested.
For summer, Augustin Reyes’ Royal Violets would be perfect, just strong enough and cooling to boot.
Tourjours Moi would be nice. It’s crisp and beautiful, but still fun.
And I’ve just gotten a few body oils from CherryBlossomDiva on Ebay. She makes a tuberose moss oil (almost a chypre) called Romantic Tuberose I think would be perfect. I’m going to offer some to my Dad’s fiancee next Saturday for their wedding, so what’s sauce for the goose…
I’m interested, very.
Just let me know how we exchange info and we’ll be in business 🙂
I think Maidenbliss needs to report back when all is said and done. 🙂
I wish I was going to the Garden District in New Orleans-what a report that would be!!
😡
But, alas….I’m not:((
Hi, Madea. Click on the ‘Contact Us’ and send a message to PP-they’ll hook us up!
Thank you.
I’m trying this again. It’s posting below my name instead of yours for some weird reason.
Just click on the Contact Us above and send a message to PP-they’ll hook us up.
Just sent the email. I would’ve replied sooner, but my stepmother graduated from Social Work school yesterday 🙂
Well! That was my ‘almost’ degree! Sorry I didn’t respond sooner. Congrats to stepmother!!
I was married (not for the first, but for the last time)just last November (and I’m not young by an stretch of the imagination) and wore Diorissimo because lillies, to me, are the quintessential celebration scent. I’m dying to try La Tulipe, and I love the idea of being a wedding fragrance consultant! It took me longer to decide on my scent than on my dress. And my beleoved New Orleans is tricky – humid and unpredictable ths time of year. Lucky bride indeed!
Hi Maggiecat! Not to be obnoxious, but Diorissimo is lily of the valley, not lily. 🙂 I’m really anxious to try Tulipe, too. LOVE tulips!
Patty, I know you were the perfect Perfume Fairy Godmother. How sweet of you!
I was just thinking about wedding perfumes recently – The CEO and I just celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary this past Sunday, and I can’t remember wearing any perfume at all during the ceremony. Which may have been all to the good, as the scents I owned at the time were all Cheap Drugstore Crap (Xia Xi’ang, Aspen for Women…). I distinctly remember using B&BW Freesia shower gel and lotion on my honeymoon, but no actual perfume.
If I were getting married now, of course… 😕
Wait a second. If I were getting married in 2010 as a 24-year-old, I’d be wearing one of the following: J’Adore L’Absolu (ONLY the Absolu), Teo Cabanel Julia, or Caron Aimez-Moi. All are soft, floral, romantic, a little starry-eyed.
If I were getting married at my current age and stage of decrepitude, I mean wisdom, I’d go for Amoureuse, Carnal Flower, Parfum Sacre, or Lyric Woman. All womanly, stunning, beautiful and aware of the fleeting nature of beauty.
Personal perfume sniffing and a knowledgeable consultant with her own supply–lucky bride!
La Tulipe is on the list for my next sample order as it sounds delightful. Interesting that she chose such a recent issue and one that’s been discontinued.
No perfume all those years ago when I got married, but I have a few I’d choose now. Songes, Sotto Voce, and Vanilla Galante would be in the front of the pack.
What a mitzvah you did, Patty! And how very fun it sounds, what with the champagne and the cupcakes. You should finagle “wedding fragrance consultant” into a posh career!
My mother’s vintage No 5 perfume is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever smelled, so that’s what I think I’d like to wear. No 22 or 28 La Pausa would also be perfect for a wedding. Yes ma’am, imma have myself a Chanel wedding….
I wore Chanel Coco at my wedding 17 years ago. (Seeing that number in print makes me feel ancient, all of a sudden. The day seems like yesterday.)
I haven’t sampled any of those fragrances you mentioned, and I’m most curious about Annam.
I layered Calyx and Ava Luxe’s Moroccan Mint Tea. Which was lovely, light and deep, and I’d give just about anything for another bottle of the Ava Luxe – I didn’t know she was going to stop production right after my wedding! 🙁
I’d go with Vanille Galante for the young bride…or me, if I was so inclined.
As for my wedding day…no recollection. Bad sign? /:)
EL tuberose gardenia! I was torn between this and Beige… But on the day the brightness and sparkle of ELTG won out. Happy memories:)
That’s a beautiful choice!
Now I am curious about Annam (hello… Eric…? :d).
Nothing much reality-based to add on the subject of weddings (but I’d wear Epic — Woman!!! 😮 — if anyone ever done proposed to me).
However, I had to laugh: the bride doesn’t like “old lady” perfumes, but wears Angel most of the time. Uh. Ok. I didn’t realize 27-year-olds were wearing Angel, I guess, but that’s cool.
I’d definitely bust out the VCA Orchidée Vanille for a bride who likes gourmands. La Tulipe is really nice.
How funny! I guess Angel will be the “old lady” perfume of the next generation.
I knew it was Annam before I read further and you named it, so distinctive…I bought my bottle on impulse because of its design, and fell in love with the contents!
Ha! I also guessed Annam from the notes … the name is not showing for me in the post until further down. I adore this scent & have but one dwindling vial to enjoy. So sad that it’s dc’ed.
The sniffing exploration sounds like a blast!!!!!
I just fixed that ommission — and GOOD LUCK PEOPLE finding that Annam. I spent two years hunting down a bottle.
Oh lord, woman–I wore Oscar de la Renta, so you can certainly tell how old I am, lol!
Let’s see, for a “younger” bride, I would say:
Gardenia Petale (right on to that one!)
Carnal Flower
Angel Liqueur (Hell, it’s my wedding, and I’ll have massive sillage if I want to!)
AG Songes
Guerlain Angelique Noire
Do I sound too dorky with these?
Hugs!
NO you do not!
I don’t think so either, they’re fab! Not that I’m swayed by the fact that Songes was my wedding perfume…
I wasn’t exactly a “young bride” though!