Best Fragrances for Weddings and Formal Events

Fragrance guide

A formal event asks for the fragrance equivalent of a well-cut suit: elegant, composed and present without taking over the room. It also has to last, because weddings and dinners run for many hours.

These are the fragrances in our catalog suited to formal occasions, for men and women, ordered so that the longest lasting come first.

How we picked. We took the fragrances in our catalog tagged for formal events and ranked them by how long they last, favoring those described as elegant or classic. Prices are typical US retail prices and may differ at checkout.

1
Ralph Lauren
Polo
$95 · 4.0 oz · EDT · Men · Chypre
Pine needles, oakmoss, leather and pipe tobacco. A deep green classic that smells like an old study lined with books.
Key notes:
Juniper, Basil, Pine, Leather, Tobacco
Style:
Classic, Natural, Elegant
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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2
Aramis
Aramis
$50 · 3.7 oz · EDT · Men · Leather
Bitter herbs, patchouli and a big leather and moss base. A confident, old-school scent with real presence.
Key notes:
Bergamot, Aldehydes, Patchouli, Leather, Oakmoss
Style:
Classic, Elegant
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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3
Xerjoff
Naxos
$270 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Unisex · Amber
A tribute to Sicily: lavender, golden honey and tobacco. Opulent, honeyed and impeccably made.
Key notes:
Lavender, Bergamot, Honey, Tobacco, Tonka bean
Style:
Cozy, Elegant
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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4
Yves Saint Laurent
Libre
$145 · 3.0 oz · EDP · Women · Floral
French lavender and Moroccan orange blossom with vanilla. A floral with a masculine structure: free, powerful and sensual.
Key notes:
Lavender, Mandarin, Orange blossom, Vanilla, Musk
Style:
Seductive, Elegant, Urban
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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5
Guerlain
Shalimar
$140 · 3.0 oz · EDP · Women · Amber
The amber perfume par excellence. Luminous bergamot melting into smoky vanilla and incense: almost a century of legend.
Key notes:
Bergamot, Lemon, Iris, Vanilla, Tonka bean
Style:
Classic, Seductive, Mysterious
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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6
Dior
Fahrenheit
$125 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Men · Leather
Violet leaf and leather with an almost gasoline-like accord. An unclassifiable classic, bold and full of character.
Key notes:
Lavender, Mandarin, Violet leaf, Leather, Vetiver
Style:
Classic, Mysterious
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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7
Lancôme
Trésor
$125 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Women · Floral
Rose, peach and powdery vanilla. A warm, romantic embrace: the great floral of the nineties.
Key notes:
Peach, Apricot, Rose, Vanilla, Sandalwood
Style:
Classic, Romantic, Cozy
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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8
Calvin Klein
Obsession
$62 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Women · Amber
Dense amber, spices and incense in the bold style of the eighties. Rich, warm and impossible to ignore.
Key notes:
Mandarin, Bergamot, Spices, Amber, Incense
Style:
Seductive, Mysterious, Classic
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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9
Hermès
Terre d'Hermès
$125 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Men · Woody
Earth, mineral and bitter orange. A walk between the vegetal and the mineral, sober and deeply elegant.
Key notes:
Orange, Grapefruit, Pepper, Vetiver, Cedar
Style:
Natural, Elegant, Classic
Longevity:
Long-lasting
Projection:
Moderate
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10
Chanel
N°5
$185 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Women · Floral
An abstract bouquet of rose and jasmine lifted by aldehydes. More than a perfume, a timeless symbol of glamour.
Key notes:
Aldehydes, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Vanilla
Style:
Classic, Elegant, Romantic
Longevity:
Long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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11
Dior
Hypnotic Poison
$135 · 3.4 oz · EDT · Women · Amber
Bitter almond and vanilla with a creamy, almost edible warmth. A sultry classic for cold evenings.
Key notes:
Apricot, Plum, Tuberose, Vanilla, Almond
Style:
Seductive, Mysterious
Longevity:
Very long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
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12
Chanel
Bleu de Chanel
$155 · 3.4 oz · EDP · Men · Woody
A woody aromatic of quiet elegance. Sparkling citrus settles onto incense and creamy sandalwood: the navy suit of perfumery.
Key notes:
Grapefruit, Lemon, Ginger, Incense, Sandalwood
Style:
Elegant, Urban, Fresh
Longevity:
Long-lasting
Projection:
Strong
Buy on Amazon Full profile

Answer 7 quick questions about the person and the occasion, and we will match the fragrances that fit best.

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What fragrance should a groom or a bride wear?

Something you have already worn and like, that lasts well and is not too loud. Many people choose a fragrance they will keep for special occasions, so that it stays linked to the day.

How many sprays should I wear to a formal event?

Two or three. You will be close to other people at the table and on the dance floor, so moderate projection is more elegant than a strong trail.

Should a wedding guest avoid strong perfume?

It is considerate. Ceremonies and dinners are held in closed rooms where a heavy fragrance can bother the people next to you.

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