In the words of the Brooklyn-based premier perfumer Christopher Brosius, “We live because we breathe, and with each breath we smell. This is inevitable. The sense of smell is our first and most immediate link to the world around us. It reminds us of what (and who) we love. . . . none of the other senses can touch us so profoundly.”

A certain scent can instantly transport us to another time and locale, reminding us of a place or person that we hold dear. Scent is, in a very real way, the record of your own particular life and personal experience. For a bride, a fragrance of her own can represent her very essence.

In this issue of Your Wedding Day, we’re exploring the fascinating concept of sensuality. What better way to express your own unique sensuality than through the incorporation of a signature scent on your wedding day, one that will lingeringly infuse the memories you’ll cherish for the rest of your life?
Although the idea of a signature fragrance is often associated with the process of custom blending, in actuality there are as many ways to find your signature fragrance as there are perfumes. It may be as simple as visiting a local boutique or a large beauty retailer like Sephora, or as complex as the multistaged process of creating a custom blend from scratch.

In any event, don’t let the opinions of others influence your choice. Experts recommend that you begin your search by yourself, so you can really hone in without distraction on the types of scents that you love, how they smell to you on your skin, and how they make you feel. As Christopher Brosius says, “Scent is always individual. Your sense of smell is one of the most unique things about you—more individual than your fingerprints, the shape of your ear, or the pattern of your retina. It is one of the most important factors that define you as you. The way that you respond to any scent is unlike anyone else’s response—no one else remembers what you remember, no one else feels what you feel.”

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the renowned perfumer Yosh Han, owner of the San Francisco-based Yosh Olfactory Sense. Using centuries-old processes once reserved for aristocracy,  Ms. Han offers her custom-blending service to people seeking a scent that is as individual as they are. “There is nothing more special than celebrating yourself,” she says. Embracing this concept, Yosh approaches her custom blending process by allowing the personality, the personal preferences, and even the memories of each client set the tone for a custom blend. Her willingness to include unconventional essences enables a woman to incorporate her favorite scents, not only from her past but from all aspects of her life.

“At your wedding, all eyes will be on you,” explains Yosh. “A scent can create an invisible, personal space in which you can reflect. If you love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” she continues, “or absolutely love licorice, why not incorporate such familiar scents into your personal fragrance?” Your custom scent won’t necessarily smell like your favorite lunch—it will be blended with numerous elements, balancing and enhancing all of the essences that speak to you to create your ultimate fragrance. “Only you will know that you’re wearing scents reminiscent of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but those who know and love you will really connect with the fact that you smell like you. It’s almost like your own little inside joke,” suggests Yosh, who, although known for creating amazing signature fragrances for personal enjoyment, also has a line of beautiful fragrances available in fine boutiques throughout the country.

In addition, Ms. Han can be commissioned to create signature scents for organizations and businesses. One such formula was created with Nicole Lenzen, owner and designer of Tigresse, a California-based design house specializing in haute couture bridal gowns. “Because I create custom, one-of-a-kind wedding gowns,” comments Nicole, “the idea of being able to develop a scent that was uniquely mine was totally alluring. Plus, when I learned that the same perfume can smell different when worn by different people, it seemed right to add the creation of a new fragrance to our product line to mark our company’s focus on individuality.”

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the renowned perfumer Yosh Han, owner of the San Francisco-based Yosh Olfactory Sense. Using centuries-old processes once reserved for aristocracy,  Ms. Han offers her custom-blending service to people seeking a scent that is as individual as they are. “There is nothing more special than celebrating yourself,” she says. Embracing this concept, Yosh approaches her custom blending process by allowing the personality, the personal preferences, and even the memories of each client set the tone for a custom blend. Her willingness to include unconventional essences enables a woman to incorporate her favorite scents, not only from her past but from all aspects of her life.

“At your wedding, all eyes will be on you,” explains Yosh. “A scent can create an invisible, personal space in which you can reflect. If you love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” she continues, “or absolutely love licorice, why not incorporate such familiar scents into your personal fragrance?” Your custom scent won’t necessarily smell like your favorite lunch—it will be blended with numerous elements, balancing and enhancing all of the essences that speak to you to create your ultimate fragrance. “Only you will know that you’re wearing scents reminiscent of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but those who know and love you will really connect with the fact that you smell like you. It’s almost like your own little inside joke,” suggests Yosh, who, although known for creating amazing signature fragrances for personal enjoyment, also has a line of beautiful fragrances available in fine boutiques throughout the country.

In addition, Ms. Han can be commissioned to create signature scents for organizations and businesses. One such formula was created with Nicole Lenzen, owner and designer of Tigresse, a California-based design house specializing in haute couture bridal gowns. “Because I create custom, one-of-a-kind wedding gowns,” comments Nicole, “the idea of being able to develop a scent that was uniquely mine was totally alluring. Plus, when I learned that the same perfume can smell different when worn by different people, it seemed right to add the creation of a new fragrance to our product line to mark our company’s focus on individuality.”

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the renowned perfumer Yosh Han, owner of the San Francisco-based Yosh Olfactory Sense. Using centuries-old processes once reserved for aristocracy,  Ms. Han offers her custom-blending service to people seeking a scent that is as individual as they are. “There is nothing more special than celebrating yourself,” she says. Embracing this concept, Yosh approaches her custom blending process by allowing the personality, the personal preferences, and even the memories of each client set the tone for a custom blend. Her willingness to include unconventional essences enables a woman to incorporate her favorite scents, not only from her past but from all aspects of her life.

“At your wedding, all eyes will be on you,” explains Yosh. “A scent can create an invisible, personal space in which you can reflect. If you love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” she continues, “or absolutely love licorice, why not incorporate such familiar scents into your personal fragrance?” Your custom scent won’t necessarily smell like your favorite lunch—it will be blended with numerous elements, balancing and enhancing all of the essences that speak to you to create your ultimate fragrance. “Only you will know that you’re wearing scents reminiscent of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but those who know and love you will really connect with the fact that you smell like you. It’s almost like your own little inside joke,” suggests Yosh, who, although known for creating amazing signature fragrances for personal enjoyment, also has a line of beautiful fragrances available in fine boutiques throughout the country.

In addition, Ms. Han can be commissioned to create signature scents for organizations and businesses. One such formula was created with Nicole Lenzen, owner and designer of Tigresse, a California-based design house specializing in haute couture bridal gowns. “Because I create custom, one-of-a-kind wedding gowns,” comments Nicole, “the idea of being able to develop a scent that was uniquely mine was totally alluring. Plus, when I learned that the same perfume can smell different when worn by different people, it seemed right to add the creation of a new fragrance to our product line to mark our company’s focus on individuality.”

Those seeking the ultimate in luxury and individuality should not overlook the experience offered at the studio of Strange Invisible Perfumes, based in Venice, California. In this stunning space, SI Perfume clients are encouraged to explore their individuality and preferences to create high-end, one-of-a-kind fragrances.

Alexandra Balahoutis, founder and master perfumer of Strange Invisible Perfumes, offers a few words of advice to brides looking to create their own signature scent. “Refer to the vision you have for your wedding, the relationship you are sealing, and how meaningful that relationship is to you. Think of the many phases of your lives that you’ll accompany one another through. Now, simply smell away and choose a fragrance that makes you feel happy and inspires thoughts of possibility.” Alexandra continues, “Don’t overthink it. Listen to your nose and intuition. You must love it, because it will be the aroma that most vividly recalls not only the wedding but the feeling that surrounded this exciting leap of faith.”

If you’d like a simpler way to incorporate beautiful fragrances into your big day, consider an alternative to the traditional bridesmaids’ luncheon and invite all of your girls over for a fun and interactive experience with scents. Laurie Stern, of Velvet and Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery in El Cerrito, has done just that by creating an experience she calls the “Perfumery Adventure.” Laurie began her career as a wedding florist, and her love of flowers evolved into the refinement of natural botanicals into oils for the purpose of creating rich and complex scents. For her Perfumery Adventure parties, Laurie travels to the location of your choice with perhaps 50 of her finest essences. “With natural essences,” she comments, “you can really see how scent can affect your emotions and frame of mind.” For a pre-wedding de-stresser, you might enjoy treating the special women in your life to this one-of-a kind hour-long experience.

In closing, whether or not you choose to create a signature scent for your big day, I encourage you to consider your fragrance and that of your whole wedding. Since the sense of smell is the one most closely related to memories, envelope your family members and closest friends in a wonderful olfactory experience that will linger with them as part of the entire experience of your wedding day for years to come!

Ariel Yve, Soiree Design Group