Choosing a Fragrance: Spring and Summer

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So, now that you’ve got the wedding suit or tux and all the accessories figured out, there’s one last thing to consider: the fragrance. Choosing the right fragrance might seem like a small detail, but it’s an essential part of making sure your day goes perfectly. In fact, we consider fragrance to be the final detail of any outfit.

Now, if you already have a particular fragrance you like to wear — and that your future spouse likes — that’s great. But if you want something that complements spring or summer wedding attire, here are seven fantastic fragrances for you.

Warm Season Vs. Cold Season Wedding Fragrances

Before getting into the specific fragrances, it’s important to know what makes summer and spring fragrances different from fall or winter ones.

For one thing, they’re light, meaning they won’t be overwhelming or unbearable in the heat. For another, they’re crisp, which complements the season and results in an overall masculine scent.

Both of these factors matter a good deal when you’re preparing for the big day. Of course, there are always exceptions. For instance, if you do have a preferred scent that evokes something meaningful to you, go with that.

7 Spring and Summer Colognes for Weddings

From the classic Dior Eau Sauvage to the refreshing Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford, there’s a fragrance for every personality and wedding setting.

Christian Dior Eau Sauvage

The first spring or summer wedding fragrance is Eau Sauvage by Christian Dior. This is not to be confused with Sauvage, which is a newer fragrance.

Eau Sauvage

Christian Dior

When it comes to men’s fragrances, Eau Sauvage is an absolute classic and totally iconic. Its notes include:

• Top notes: Lemon, bergamot, basil, and lavender.
• Heart notes: Jasmine, rose, carnation, patchouli, and sandalwood.
• Base notes: Oakmoss, vetiver, musk, and amber.

Overall, the Dior Eau Sauvage has a very fresh, citrusy scent. It also lasts a long time — anywhere from five to eight hours on average — which is not typical of a citrus fragrance.

If you’re looking for something refreshing, simple, and classic that’s sure to get tons of compliments, Eau Sauvage is a great choice.

Floris No. 89

Next up on the list is Floris No. 89. Now, this is classified as a woody, citrus fragrance.

No. 89 Eau de Toilette

Floris

Notes include:

• Top notes: Bergamot, lavender, neroli, nutmeg, orange, and petitgrain
• Heart notes: Geranium, rose, and ylang-ylang
• Base notes: Cedarwood, musk, oakmoss, sandalwood, and vetiver

Floris No. 89 is considered a quintessential English gentleman’s fragrance. To that point, it was said to be a favorite of both Winston Churchill and Ian Fleming (the author of the James Bond novels).

It definitely has a classic gentleman kind of scent. The lavender gives it an almost barbershop-like quality because of how sharp it is. Still, it’s a very fresh and masculine scent that lasts a solid four to six hours. And, since you don’t typically see it in U.S. stores, it’s also a bit unique.

Guerlain Vetiver

The third fragrance is Guerlain Vetiver, which is considered one of the most all-time classic men’s scents out there.

Vetiver Eau de Toilette

Guerlain

Vetiver is a type of grass native to India. Anything with vetiver in it tends to have a crisp, natural scent that smells, well, grassy. Guerlain Vetiver is simple and has a distinctive scent with the following notes:

• Top notes: Bergamot, lemon, neroli, and coriander
• Heart notes: Vetiver and cedar
• Base notes: Tobacco, nutmeg, pepper, and tonka bean

Although you do get that underlying grassy essence with the Guerlain Vetiver, it’s not as front and center as it is with many other vetiver fragrances. You do still get the freshness you might expect. But you also get a sharp scent combined with a woodsiness that makes this one more recognizably masculine than many other vetiver fragrances. It’ll last quite a while, too — anywhere from six to eight hours.

Tom Ford Oud Fleur

An offering by the luxury brand, Tom Ford, Oud Fleur is the fourth fragrance for spring and summer weddings. This one is particularly unique and distinctive, especially when compared to the other six fragrances on this list.

Oud Fleur Eau de Parfum

Tom Ford

It has too many notes to list here, but there are three that really stand out:

• Rose: Although rose is traditionally associated with feminine perfumes, it’s surprisingly masculine in this fragrance.
• Oud: This gives off an overall heady scent.
• Incense: This is heady, spicy, and masculine.

Tom Ford’s Oud Fleur has an impressive projection. It lasts a solid six to eight hours. It’s also classy, elegant, unique, and very sexy.

Roja Parfums Elysium

The fifth fragrance for warm-season weddings is Elysium by Roja Parfums. This is considered an aromatic fougère — essentially, it’s fresh, light, bright, and masculine.

Elysium Parfum Cologne

Roja Parfums

It has the following notes:

• Top notes: grapefruit, lemon, bergamot, lime, and thyme
• Heart notes: Vetiver, juniper, apple, cedar, pink pepper, and jasmine
• Base notes: Ambergris, vanilla, leather, and benzoin

Elysium is highly refreshing, but it also has a little zing to it. The notes that come through the most are the sharper and more herbaceous notes of grapefruit and juniper.

But what really distinguishes this fragrance from the rest is that it lasts a long time on the skin thanks to the ambergris. Yet, it’s still light and fresh, so it won’t overwhelm you, your spouse, or your guests.

Arquiste Él

Next up is Él by Arquiste. This is classified as an amber fougère, which means it’s fresh and herbaceous but also has a very deep, rich, and masculine scent.

Él

Arquiste

The standout notes include:

• Top notes: Laurel leaves, clary sage, rosemary, geranium
• Heart notes: Cardamom, cinnamon, orange flower water, and black buckwheat honey
• Base notes: Patchouli, oakmoss, vetiver, and a Fougere accord

Of all seven fragrances in this list, Él is by far the sexiest. However, because this is a deeper and richer scent than the others, it can become overwhelming in the heat. That’s why it’s best for evening events or slightly cooler spring or summer days.

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino

And finally is Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford. This is classified as a citrusy aromatic.

Neroli Portofino

Tom Ford

The notes include:

• Top notes: Bergamot, mandarin orange, lemon, bitter orange, lavender, and rosemary
• Heart notes: African orange flower, neroli, and jasmine
• Base notes: Amber, angelica, and ambrette

This fragrance is very light and citrusy, but it’s the neroli that comes through the most. Neroli is an oil derived from the orange flower blossom. Because of this, you do get a touch of the floral, which helps the citrus notes blend together for a smooth scent.

Neroli Portofino is extremely long-lasting — you can easily get eight hours out of this. At the same time, it’s still very light and refreshing. Although you can wear it at any spring or summer wedding, it’s perfect for beach or seaside events.

Bottom Line

When it comes down to it, you should choose the fragrance that best suits you — after all, it’s your (and your spouse’s) day. But if you’re not sure where to start, check out some of these fragrances. They’re all specifically made for spring and summer events, so it’s hard to go wrong with any of them. They’re also unique, niche scents that don’t smell like anything you’d find at most stores.

Of course, it’s hard to know which scent you prefer until you try out a few. If you’re interested in experimenting a little but don’t want to fully commit yet, you can go online and order samples of the ones that catch your eye.