Real Brides Share Their Big Day Fragrances + Tips From an Expert

What if you could relive the happiest day of your life with just a fragrant spritz, evoking cherished moments from your walk down the aisle? With scents irrevocably linked to our memories, it could be as easy as catching a whiff of your wedding day perfume.

We’ve all experienced these Proustian memories, perhaps experiencing waves of nostalgia when we smell our teenage-era cologne, or pangs of wanderlust when scents we’ve encountered from our travels waft through. Thus, given how evocative scents can be, choosing the one you’ll wear on your wedding day can be a truly special endeavor.  

To help you find your special fragrance, or perhaps just discover one to fall in love with, we talk to real brides who share their olfactive potions and inspirations. Fragrance expert Tin Conde from Luxasia, one of the country’s leading distributors of designer perfumes, also reveals a few insider insights to help guide brides-to-be. With memories of forever at stake, here’s a little guide to finding “the one”— scent-wise at least. 

Romance In A Bottle

“Your wedding scent should feel like second skin – familiar yet unforgettable”, declares Tin, who encourages brides to start by exploring fragrance notes that they’re naturally drawn to. She advises brides to try samples throughout the day to see how they evolve with one’s body chemistry, looking for one that “blooms beautifully on the skin and evokes emotion.” Another consideration is the setting. “Is it a beach wedding, a garden affair, or something more formal? Your fragrance can echo that mood,” she continues. 

The bride’s personality, or even that of the couple, should likewise be taken into account. “Let your perfume reflect who you are,” Tin declares. “I’ve always believed that fragrance has a magical way of telling a story without words. It can capture a moment, a feeling, or even a version of yourself you want to remember.” 

 Of course, some fragrance notes do translate very well in romantic settings. “Soft white florals like orange blossom, jasmine, peony, magnolia, and rose embody classic bridal elegance,” shares the scent connoisseur. Think Chloé Eau de Parfum, a powdery mix of soft peony and rose layered with freesia for timeless elegance, or Burberry Her, for modern brides who want a confident blend of juicy berries with jasmine and violet. She also loves Carolina Herrera Good Girl Blush to imbue weddings with a bit of glamour and sensuality. 

Nonetheless, some women do prefer to eschew tradition in favor of something more complex. “Musky or powdery notes layered with creamy woods, or a touch of vanilla, add warmth and sensuality, giving a modern and intimate twist to the fragrance.” An example she mentions would be Montblanc Signature, an understated luxury scent with magnolia and jasmine over a bed of soft vanilla musk. 

Wedding Scent Tips & Tricks 

Since weddings last all day and well into the night, it’s important to get your fragrance to last. Tin suggests starting with a matching, or mildly scented, body lotion or shower gel to create a soft foundation, before spritzing the perfume onto the pulse points, plus a delicate mist on one’s hair. She also likes spraying the perfume into the air before walking gently onto the fragrance, creating a soft “halo” effect that is delicate and subtle. 

Tin also recommends that brides keep a travel-sized version of their scent in the pouch, or entrust one to their maids of honor for touch-ups, ensuring they’re gorgeously scented throughout the day. 

Real Bride: Jaz Reyes, A Journey in Scents 

Content creator and host Jaz Reyes shares how she had long considered having more than one scent for her nuptials. “I think the wedding has three parts, morning, church, and reception, and I wanted each part of the day to smell different,” she reveals.

Jaz Reyes Lys 41 by Le Labo

She started with the floral bouquet of Lys 41 by Le Labo as she got dolled up. “It has this beautiful, fresh ylang ylang scent, that is perfect to wake up to and also a great scent to layer,” she recounts. 

 For her church ceremony, she walked down the aisle in an embroidered gown by Monica Ivena and Byredo Bal d’Afrique. She reveals that it was a scent that was gifted to her by mother-in-law. “I already knew at that moment that I will be using it on my wedding day— a perfect way to commemorate the joining of the families, with the joining of scents,” Jaz shares.   Valaya by Parfums de Marly 

As the party went underway, Jaz then spritzed on Valaya by Parfums de Marly – an inspired blend of white blooms, peach, mandarin oranges, on a musky and woody base. “I wanted to smell fresh, even after the cake cutting, shots, and the drag queens we had at our wedding,” she says, remarking how long-lasting the scent is. “I actually even smelled these on my wedding dress and gloves when I sent them for dry cleaning,” 

 The fragrance aficionado, who married director Miguel Sotto, recalls how a fortuitous encounter with a perfumer while on a train in Paris had sparked her aromatic journey. “She went on a whole list I should explore, and from that day I tried to look into it and explore my tastes,” she reveals. The perfumer was also the one who introduced Jaz to Frederic Malle, and it was this brand’s Iris Poudre that she wore to her intimate civil wedding ceremony. 

 She likewise wore Iris Poudre, blended with Grandhand’s Soie to her Ting Hun, or Chinese engagement ceremony in Lijiang, China. “A blend of something sharp and soft. Soie was the perfume I got when I just got engaged,” she recalls. “Iris is an ode to my husband’s favorite scent that I wear.”

[ Of course, Jaz also wanted her bridal party to have beautiful scents to cherish. She shares that she had also gifted her bridesmaids perfumes, so that they can all have fragrant souvenirs of their love-filled day. ]

Real Bride: Nichole Mercado, Feminine Sophistication 

When Nichole wed businessman Bernard Mercado in 2010, she chose a fragrance that held a special place in their love story. “I chose Chanel Chance because that was my signature scent back then. I wanted to stick to something personal and familiar, and meaningful to my partner as well, because that was what I would use when we just started dating,” she shares.  Nichole Mercado  Chanel Chance 

The holistic health coach and entrepreneur got married in a mille-feuille ball gown by Rajo Laurel, amidst the lush greenery of Tagaytay Highlands. She shares that she was drawn to this gorgeous floral chypre as it was such a timeless and modern scent. “It makes me feel confident and feminine, just how I wanted to feel on my wedding day. I still use it sometimes, and I think I’ll always have a bottle of it in my vanity because it’s like a time capsule in a bottle,” she reveals. 

 And although her fragrance library may have expanded, the perfume will always have a special place in her heart. “Chanel Chance is such a nostalgic fragrance for me that it uniquely touches memories. One of those being my wedding day.” 

Real Bride: Marj Maroket, Layered Perfection 

 Beauty darling and TikTok star Marj Maroket has long loved Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc, which she considers her signature scent. So, for her idyllic island wedding to Brendan Winter, she was certain she wanted to have this perfume with her, albeit with a little twist.  Marj Maroket

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc

“It’s a good thing Tom Ford has scent pairing recommendations. They call it “fragrance wardrobing”. So, I can still wear Soleil Blanc, which is a creamy coconut amber floral scent, but layered with another fragrance so it’s more special and unique to me,” declares the content creator, who walked down the aisle in a dreamy ballgown by Oscar de la Renta.  

To create her bridal scent, she layered her favorite with the brand’s Soleil Neige. “This is when I realized I found my wedding combo,” she reveals. While shopping, she had also discovered that, coincidentally, Soleil Neige was inspired by winter and how the sun shimmers on the snow. “That sealed the deal for me, because I’m gonna be Mrs. Winter soon. Too symbolic to ignore!” She likewise layered it with the Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil to give her skin a golden glow.

Tom Ford Soleil Neige
Of course, Marj also got hubby a little something from the brand. “Bois Pacifique is a new scent, it’s woody like Oud Wood (one of Brendan’s faves) but spicy,” she explains. “It’s on the fresher side too, perfect for a summer wedding.” And to finish it all off, Marj got the fruity floral elixir Fleur de Portofino for their European honeymoon. 

Real Bride: Katrina Santos, Classic Elegance

For her 2016 wedding, Katrina Santos wanted a scent that reflected how she felt. “I chose Chanel Chance Eau Tendre because it gives off a scent that is timeless, romantic and vibrant, just like the way I wanted to feel on my special day,” she declares. The fruity floral is a delicate blend of hyacinth and jasmine, with citrusy top notes, perfect for a modern bride. For her wedding to Luigi Revilla, Kat looked absolutely radiant in an ivory lace gown by Boom Sason.  Katrina Santos Chanel Chance Eau Tendre

Katrina shares how she had met Luigi back when they were classmates in Filipino class at Enderun, although they only started dating in 2015.  The stylish wife and mom-of-two is also the founder of athleisure brand Pique Active, and is often seen rocking the tennis courts herself as she keeps an active lifestyle. The couple are both entrepreneurs, with Kat likewise running B&B Salon as well as Dermstead Spa & Clinic.  

Real Bride: Rima Ostwani Najjar, Romantic Flair 

It was a romance that was years in the making for Rima Ostwani, who shares that she and her now husband, Jay Najjar were actually childhood friends. The couple split their time between Manila and Lebanon, where the couple had first met and where Rima had spent her childhood.

Rima Ostwani NajjarFor their 2016 wedding, the stunning bride wore an immaculate ball gown by Francis Libiran and chose a feminine and romantic scent to match. “Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet was the perfect choice for me. I love that it’s light and airy, yet intense in a very gentle and beautiful way, just like a love story. It’s a plus too that it has notes of peony, which is my favorite flower,” shares the top model and brand endorser. 

Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet 

Given how timeless the scent is, the mom-of-three still uses it to this day, and considers it a very “me” scent. “I’ve always loved fresh, light, and delicate scents—never too strong or overpowering. And of course, I cannot deny that I am a classic Dior girly,” she reveals.