The essence of perfume, the feeling of completing your look with the fragrance that ties your look together; smelling the different tones throughout the day is a feeling not easily explained. The sensuality of a fragrance that compliments your mood and improves your confidence is worth the personal investment. For wedding couples out there, choosing the right scent for you is just as important as the right undergarment or tie.
Being an avid fragrance purchaser, I want to give our Wedztyler’s a snippet of the history of perfume. The ancient Egyptian women associated fragrances with immortality. The Pharaohs were wrapped in bandages filled with aromatic oils. Egypt was one of the first countries to use fragrant oils as part of their daily beauty routines. The Greeks also adored perfume. Many of their legends and gods refer to Greek gods of scent. Their poets often talked about the use of perfumes; including for healing which we now refer to aromatherapy. The Romans, who were influenced by the Greeks, scented everything in essential oils. From there many other countries took to fragrances for varying purposes. (The Birth of Modern Perfumery, 2012).
The French have based an industry on French perfumes. No other country is known for perfumes like France, with Paris being the center hub for all the power brands. Interesting, the perfume manufacturing is from a little town called Grasse located in the Alpes Maritimes department, northwest of Nice. Grasse mild Mediterranean climate is ideal for horticulture of jasmine, rose, myrtle, lavender, and mimosa – all important for natural aromas. (Perfume of Frances, 2003-2020).
Classification of Perfumes and notes
Perfumes are describing as notes which describes the scent once the fragrance interacts with the body. Perfumes notes are divided into three – top, middle, and bottom. Most people purchase fragrances based on top notes when, in fact, middle and base notes determine the scent. Fragrances can have a different aroma differently as they settle into the skin. Below is an explanation of the different types of notes which will help couples decide their fragrance for their wedding day.
- Top Notes – when you spray perfume, the top notes are what is smelt immediately. The small molecules found in the perfume, evaporate quite quickly. The top notes draw us to the initial smell of the fragrance. Top notes can include basil, bergamot, thyme
- Middle Notes – once the top notes begin to dissipate, the middle notes begin to kick in. The middle notes tend to portray the scent of the fragrance. But they are not immediate. The middle notes of the perfume begin to interact with the skin over a few minutes. Once you spray a perfume on, it needs to settle, allowing the middle notes to come through, giving a true indication of the scent. These include lavender, rosemary, nutmeg
- The Base – notes is the body of the scent. Once the middle notes begin to disappear, the base notes come in creating that lasting scent on the skin. These larger molecules of the base notes do not evaporate very quickly hence why the perfume can last on some skins for 24 hours. Base notes include vanilla, rose, frankincense (History of Pefume, 2020)
Notes are made up of Oriental, Woody, Floral and Fresh. Under each of these four common notes are subcategories. In 1983, Michael Edward a British fragrance developed a fragrance wheel which ties the notes and subcategories together ( (History of Perfume, 2020).
https://fmukblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/the-fragrance-wheel.jpg
The concentration of the aromas in a perfume determines the longevity of the fragrance on the skin. For me, the more concentrated, the better. I found this image which gives an excellent comparison of the types of perfumes and their longevity. The higher the concentration, the higher the price. I would use this as a cost guide. Pricing can range from $300+ to as a low as $20 (AUD). If you are budget conscious and want a more concentrated fragrance, purchase a 30ml bottle.
Perfume Concentration
Now the fun bit, suggesting fragrances from classics to now. Perfume is personal. What works on your skin will be different to what works on my skin.
Chanel No 5 Parfum
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes: Neroli, Ylang-Ylang, Bergamot, Lemon, Aldehydes
Middle Notes: Iris, Jasmine, Orris Root, Rose, Lily-of the Valley
Base Notes: Vetiver, Musk, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Oakmoss, Amber, Vanilla, Civet
Yves Saint Laurent Opium Eau De Parfum
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes: Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Lily-of-the-Valley
Middle Notes: Carnation, Jasmine, Myrth
Base Notes: Vanilla, Patchouli, Opoppnax, Amber
DIOR Poison EDT
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes: Coriander Seeds, Plum, Forest Fruits, Anise, Brazilian Rosewood
Middle Notes: Carnation, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Tuberose, Opoponax, Cinnamon, Incence, Rose, Honey
Base Notes: Vetiver, Musk, Sandalwood, Virginia Cedar, Amber, Vanilla, Heliotrope
Mugler Angel Eau De Parfum
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes: Melon, Coconut, Mandarin Orange, Cassia, Jasmine, Bergamot, Cotton Candy
Middle Notes: Honey, Apricot, Blackberry, Plum, Orchid, Peach, Jasmine, Lily-of-the-valley, Red Berries, Rose
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Amber, Patchouli, Musk, Vanilla, Dark Chocolate, Caramel
Byredo: Mojave Ghost
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes: Ambrette, Sapodila
Middle Notes: Magnolia, Violet, Sandalwood
Base Notes: Cedar, Ambergris
Bottega Veneta
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper
Middle Notes: Jasmine
Base Notes: Patchouli, Oakmoss, Leather
Elie Saab La Parfum
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes: Orange Blossom
Middle Notes: Jasmine
Base Notes: Patchouli, Cedar, Rose, Honey
Givenchy Hot Couture
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes: Orange, Raspberry, Bergamot
Middle Notes: Magnolia, Vetiver, Pepper
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Amber, Musk
Perfect fragrance for summer weddings. I wore Hot Couture on my wedding day.
We cannot forget the groom:
Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gioia
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes:Lemon, Mint
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Pink Pepper, Peony
Base Notes: Labdanum, Cedar, Sugar
My husband wore Acqua Di Gioia on our wedding day.
Christian Dior Sauvage
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes: Bergamot, Pepper
Middle Notes: Geranium, Lavender, Pink Pepper, Sichuan Pepper, Patchouli, Vetiver, Elemi
Base Notes: Cedar, Ambroxan, Laddanum
Aramis Aramis Classic
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes: Aldehydes, Artemisia, Gardenia, Bergamot, Clover, Thyme, Myrrh
Middle Notes: Patchouli, Sage, Orris Root, Cardomon
Base Notes: Leather, Sandalwood, Amber, Musk, Coconut, Vetiver, Oakmoss
Joop – Joppe Homme
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes: Orange Blossom, Mandarin Orange, Bergamot, Lemon
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Heliotrope, Lily-of-the-Valley, Cardamom, Cinnamon
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Patchouli, Vanilla
Carner – Drakon
Source: Pinterest
Top Notes: Cypress, Black Pepper, Betel Pepper,
Middle Notes: Orange Blossom, Cypriol Oil, Akigalawood
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Leather, Balsam Fir
With so many fragrances available for women and men, there are too many to list. Now that you know the history of perfume and the ingredients that go into making scents, you can all appreciate that not all perfumes are the same.
I will leave our Wedztylers with a pondering thought. A scent evokes emotion, memory, lifts the mood and creates confidence. Regardless of the type of fragrance chosen, let it represent you and your feelings of the day. The perfume you choose is as important as selecting your colour lipstick. Open yourself to the endless choices available and enjoy the process of choosing your wedding fragrance.
Main image source: Dior