What Perfume to Wear to an Indian Wedding

An Indian wedding is a marathon: several functions, long hours, crowded rooms, heat, flowers and food. Your fragrance has to keep up without overwhelming anyone around you.

Choose something that lasts

You won't have time to reapply between the baraat and the pheras. An Extrait de Parfum is the safest choice: one application carries you from evening into the early hours.

Match the fragrance to the function

Haldi and mehendi

Daytime, often outdoors, often hot. Go lighter: fresh, woody aquatic or soft floral. You will be close to people, and turmeric and henna already have strong scents of their own.

Try: ALPHA Authentic, clean and cool with a woody base.

Sangeet and cocktail

Evening, dancing, lights. This is the place for something brighter and more playful: a floral gourmand with lift.

Try: RARE Amore, pear blossom and red berries over jasmine and sandalwood.

Wedding night and reception

Your richest outfit deserves your richest fragrance. Warm amber, vanilla, saffron and rose feel at home with silk, zari and marigold.

Try: MADNO Forever, a warm floral amber with saffron, rose and bourbon vanilla.

How much to wear

Less than you think. Wedding venues are packed and warm, and strong fragrance travels. Two sprays of an extrait on pulse points is plenty.

Apply before you dress

Spray on skin before putting on heavy or embellished outfits. Perfume can mark delicate silk, and alcohol can dull zari and sequins. If you want scent on fabric, spray lightly on an inner lining.

For the bride and groom

Choose your wedding fragrance weeks ahead and wear it a few times first. Scent is tied closely to memory; years later, one spray can bring the whole day back.

Not sure which suits you? Wear all three at home first with the Discovery Set.