Today we're helping Elizabeth, who is getting married next August. Her ceremony will be in a small church, followed by a reception for 80 guests in a historic hall built in 1916. Her dress is a champagne-colored ball gown, with a lace bodice and cap sleeves, and a tulle skirt. And yes, she is planning to wear a tiara! She is looking for a perfume that is complex, romantic, and will last the whole day without touch-ups. She is willing to spend up to $250 and she has great access to perfume stores, including niche boutiques.
Here is what we know about Elizabeth:
She's in her late 20s, and is tall, with a rosy complexion and long black hair.
She is quiet and introverted by nature, though many people have described her as "regal."
Her style is old-fashioned and she prefers wearing skirts and dresses most of the time.
She lives in New York City. Her favorite foods are classic French and Sichuan Chinese cuisines, and her hobbies include reading, theology, and ballroom dancing.
Her favorite colors are wine red and sapphire blue.
Elizabeth likes rose, lavender, violet, vanilla, incense, orange blossom, jasmine, herbal notes, iris and aldehydes. Perfumes she likes and wears include Estee Lauder Youth Dew, Chanel Coromandel, Chanel Cristalle and Frederic Malle L'Eau d'Hiver.
She doesn't like tuberose, gardenia, coconut, any tropical fruits or florals, overdoses of amber, melon. Perfumes she appreciates but cannot wear include Serge Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle, Estee Lauder Pleasures, Frederic Malle Parfum de Therese, Guerlain L'heure Bleue.
Here are some of the perfumes Elizabeth has tried, but that aren't quite right for her wedding:
By Kilian Love and Tears: Too simple and clean.
Chanel No. 5: She loves the aldehydes but it seems to common, not special enough.
Chanel No. 22: She doesn't like the tuberose in it.
Estee Lauder Beautiful: She likes it but it reminds her of her mother.
Guerlain Apres l'Ondee. She loves it but it is too light and won't last the day.
Atelier Cologne Grand Neroli: Nice for summer, but not deep or special enough.
Parfums de Nicolai Le Temps d'une Fete: Beautiful but too rustic.
Frederic Malle Une Rose: Too dark and brooding, not what she wants to feel that day!
What say you?
Note: top image is Bologna - no bill posting [cropped] by on1stsite. at flickr; some rights reserved.
I think Elizabeth should sample the Guerlain L’art et la Matiere collection- several of them seem like they would be up her alley and wedding worthy (Angelique Noire, Tonka Imperiale both come to mind). I would also suggest FM Iris Poudre and L’artisan Seville a L’aube and Havana Vanilla.
I second Seville a L’Aube, I can totally see it as a bridal fragrance and the orange blossom/incense notes fit right into what Elizabeth likes
Third to Seville a L’Aube
Thank you for your suggestions! I do like Seville a l’aube.
If she loves aldehydes, I would suggest Liu. I do love No. 5 parfum, but I think Liu is even lovelier,
My other two suggestions are also aldehydic, but very hard to find: Arpege parfum (the classic, not the new re-formulated) or the original Nina from 1987. I guess I live too much in the past.
I need to try Liu again. Thanks!
Or Guerlain Vega. (I prefer it to Liu, which is more powdery and somehow flat on my skin rather than sparkling.)
I think she should try Goutal’s Grand Amour or L’Heure Exquise. Both are supremely elegant, long-lasting, and romantic. Grand Amour has amber in the dry-down but it’s not overpowering.
I love Annick Goutal! Grand Amour brings back troublesome memories, but Heure Exquise is a possibility. Thanks!
Atelier Cologne Silver Iris
Van Cleef & Arpels Bois d’Iris
Puredistance Opardu
Arquiste Fleur de Louis
Andy Tauer Reverie au Jardin, Noontide Petals
Mona di Orio Violette Fumee
Thanks! I am curious about Violette Fumee.
I can think of only one perfume that should do: Amouage Gold. It is aldehydic, floral, refined, regal and lasts all day, without shouting about it.
I second Amouage Gold too- if Elizabeth likes Chanel no. 5. It would make a glorious wedding perfume. And it can be found at several online retailers for less than retail.
That is a glorious one. Thank you!
My thoughts exactly… I third Amouage Gold.
Congrats on the engagement. The wedding seems to be shaping up to be beautiful day.
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For fragrances, I I would suggest Amarinthe, which strikes me as a fine wedding scent, with fresia as the white flower.
For violet I would suggest Balanciaga Paris. For orange blossom and incense I second the Seville D’Aube suggestion. All of these are fine fragrances for the hot summer.
For violets and incense I would suggest Lutens Bois en Violette. However, I do not how it feels in August so may be other posters can make suggestions..
Another vote for Seville a l’Aube!
Fourth for Seville a L’Aube.
Fifth
Elizabeth’s list of notes screams Guerlain Attrape Coeur (and what a great name for a wedding fragrance), however, it’s discontinued and probably impossible to find, unless someone will part with a decant.
I’d also recommend the vintage version of Guerlain Vol de Nuit in extrait – a glorious scent that is still available on ebay (shiny gold and black box).
Also, Sonoma Scent Studio Champagne de Bois and/or Nostalgie – two beautifully done aldehydic florals. They have wonderful lasting power too.
Any number of the Amouage scents may very well work as well.
Just to add, as far as decants go, Surrender to Chance seems to have Attrape Coeur, at non-bank-breaking prices, even.
They also seem to have Apres l’Ondee in the discontinued parfum version. Now, that really is expensive, but if Elizabeth loves it, seems worth trying, to see if the parfum has more staying power? (I haven’t sniffed it myself.) Additionally there are the general tips of moisturizing skin first, spraying in hair, etc., to make things last longer–given that she has something she loves, making it last longer might actually be easier to pull off than finding a new true love! (Although, admittedly not as much fun as the -looking- for a new love!
)
I have both of those Sonoma Scent studio perfumes. Love them!
I second FM Iris Poudre, and I’d also suggest trying Amouage Lyric Woman–rose and incense.
I was thinking Iris poudre too, or sampling the Chanel exclusive line, somehow Elizabeth is sending out Chanel vibes.
That is accurate! I have been a Chanel fan since I was 17.
I do like that one – Iris Poudre is so elegant.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Lumiere Noire Pour Femme – it has rose and patchouli and indolic jasmine. It’s elegant but sexy as all get out!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Complex, romantic and super staying power–Tauer’s L’air du desert marocain.
In a different vein, though, I also second the Amouage suggestions. Like the Guerlains you mention, they have that the champagne ballgown elegance!
And congratulations!
Thank you! I do like that Tauer very much.
I was also going to suggest Amouage Gold. But since you live in New York and have a large budget, you can easily test the whole Amouage line (Aedes has them). Ubar might also work. And if Gold is too much, try Dia. They’re all glamorous, luxurious and long lasting, made with quality ingredients.
The Amouages are splendid.
If you like orange blossom, I suggest Houbigant’s Oranger en Fleurs, Edp or Parfum.
Thanks, I will have to try that one!
Perfumes Elizabeth should try:
Lolita Lempicka EDP
Elie Saab Le Parfum
Narciso Rodriguez For Her EDP
Chanel No. 19
Hermes Kelly Caleche
Jean Paul Gaultier Classique EDP
Thank you!
I’d second Lucas’ recommendation of Tauer’s Noontide Petals. I’d also recommend Chanel No.19 EDP if you haven’t tried it, or Serge Lutens Bas de Soie, or Amouage Memoir Woman.
I haven’t tried Noontide Petals. Another one for the to-try list!
Just thought of another one. MDCI Enlevement au Serail is a gorgeous jasmine that might be worth a sniff for you.
Nahema: bittersweet Victorian rose. It has that turn-of the-century vibe, would last if an EDP or extract, and is classic and retro, like Elizabeth. Since she’s an obvious “winter”, perhaps Shalimar or one of its newer incarnations might work for her.
That is correct, I am a Winter type. Shalimar! I wore that one for years. Nahema is worth trying again.
I second that!
Maybe Van Cleef & Arpels Orchidee Vanille ( very elegant) or perhaps Tom Ford’s Noir de Noir?
Haven’t tried those yet. Thanks!
I second Angelique Noire and would add Amouage Lyric Woman…and even Lyric Man.
Thanks!
How about Juliette Has a Gun, Lady Vengeance or Vengeance Extreme? Dyptique’s Vetyverio? Bois 1920 Kimono Rose?
Onto the try list they go. Thanks!
Elizabeth- I have the following Guerlains:
Vol de Nuit perfume
Jicky perfume
Shalimar perfume
Vega EDP
Chamade EDP
I would be happy to send you samples of some of these to try out. I think you might really like Vega or VdN, rich and wedding worthy.
Sorry, email me at schallauATaolDOTcom and I’ll send samples.
Thank you! I do love Guerlains. Thanks for your offer, but I have good access to Guerlain counters so it’s not necessary.
My recs would be Aouage Gold, Amouage Lyric, FM Iris Poudre. I agree with the Sevllle l’aube suggestion but would also recommend By Killian’s Sweet Redemption.
Iris Poudre and Seville a l’Aube appear to be in the top running!
Caron N’Aimez-que Moi (hope I got the spelling right) came to mind immediately.
I wore that Caron for years, but the current formulation doesn’t do it for me.
Thanks for the suggestion, though!
I really want to try this one!
By Kilian Sweet Redemption is what I wore on my wedding day — simply beautiful orange blossom and vanilla.
Also try Mona di Orio Musc, a beautiful soft, powdery floral musk. They carry it at MiN.
Thanks!
I second Iris Poudre, agree you should thoroughly sample the Amouage line ( I get tons of aldehydes from Jubilation 25), would also suggest sampling Mythique and other DelRae fragrances, L’Infante and others from Divine, and it surely wouldn’t hurt to try Joy, in all its concentrations.
Best wishes to you!
Oh, meant also to mention Prima T, from Bruno Acampora. It’s light, yet very rich. (I have the oil, not the EdP)
Not much sillage, but you will absolutely not need to touch up during the day!
Another vote for Iris Poudre! It’s a top contender, for sure. So lovely, so elegant.
Creed Fleurissimo lasts all day on me. It is regal, lady-like, understated and aldehydic/floral. Lastly, it was designed as a wedding perfume for Grace of Monaco.
I need to try that one again. Thanks!
did anyone suggest Chanel Bois de Iles? Also, try the Ormonde Jayne Discovery kit! I’m sure one of those will “speak” to you!
Bois des Iles- another long-term favorite of mine!
What about Etro – Shaal Nur. It’s mainly incense with rose in the background and sprinkles of herbs and spices. Although it’s an incense perfume, it is quite light so it won’t be overwhelming in the heat of august weather.
I remember that one as being very umique and lovely.
Champagne ball gown? Yvresse! Romantic, complexity, beauty, staying power…it’s a stunner and so seductive.
Review from here Elizabeth if you want to read about it…
https://nstperfume.com/2007/03/16/yves-saint-laurent-yvresse-champagne-perfume-review/
It has a wonderful sillage which is important for a wedding perfume.
Congratulations
I do love to drink champagne!
Gardenia Petale by Van Cleef & Arpels would be a lovely fragrance for a bride. The gardenia is realistic, and the lasting power is good. Best wishes to you!
Whoops, sorry! Just read that you don’t care for gardenia.
How about Jour d’Hermes? It is a lovely, feminine, sensual bouquet of flowers with excellent lasting power.
That is a pretty one.
Thanks everyone! So far I think that Iris Poudre, Heure Exquise, and Guerlain Liu are the top candidates, with Seville a l’Aube as a wild card.I thank each one of you for your suggestions!
Hi Elizabeth, coming in late-
I highly recommend you to try Promesse de L’Aube by MDCI and Guerlain Rose Nacrée du Désert. Perfection!
I wholeheartedly second these recommendations.
I would like to recommend Divine L’Ame Soeur (kindred spirit/soul mate), it is gorgeous and happy. I also love Amouage Dia and Keiko Mecheri Myrrhe et Merveilles for the same reason – they are joyful-smelling.