The Power of a Wedding Scent and Why It Lasts Forever

A wedding scent holds a quiet power; it captures emotion, memory, and identity in a way that lingers long after the vows are exchanged. Manifest speaks to the bride and groom about what they chose to wear on their wedding day.

Lin Laishram

Model and Actor

“I love fresh and floral fragrances. Sometimes, I also enjoy mixing two scents to create something unique. For my wedding [to actor Randeep Hooda], I chose Chanel Gabrielle. I remember my dad had gifted me a bottle of Coco Chanel, and ever since then, I’ve been in love with Chanel perfumes, and always had one in my vanity. And Gabrielle feels especially feminine. I’ve been wearing it for years—it makes me feel complete.”

Lin’s Top Picks For Brides-to-Be

Chanel No. 5

Gucci Bloom

Hermès Twilly

Kenzo Flower

Pro Tip

“Usually, I spray the scent on all my pulse points. But, on days, I know I will out all day, I spritz it on my clothes, and even my hair, to ensure the fragrance lasts. And don’t overdo it. I’m very sensitive to smell, and I feel overusing any perfume completely kills the joy.”

Sandeep Gonsalves

Co-Founder, Sarah & Sandeep, SSHomme

“I’ve always been drawn to intense, deeper scents—fragrances that really leave an impression. For the day, I like something with a little freshness layered into those deeper notes, so it feels refined but not heavy. At night, I love going all in with a bold, warm scent that lingers.

For my wedding, I opted for Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Night. It was my wife’s idea—she absolutely loves it. And it carries so much history for us—back when we first started dating in 2008, Boss Bottled Night was what I’d wear all the time. So, when we got married in 2014, it felt like a way to bring our story full circle.”

Sandeep’s Top Picks For Grooms-to-Be

Tom Ford Oud Wood

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir

Marc-Antoine Barrois Ganymede

Diptyque Philosykos

Creed Green Irish Tweed

Pro Tip

“Always try a fragrance on your own skin—your body chemistry completely changes how it smells. A fragrance will never smell the same on any two people. And apply it on pulse points—wrists, behind the ears, a touch on the collarbone—and sometimes a light mist over clothes to help it last. Layering over a good moisturizer also makes a big difference.”

Nina Shah Sharma

DJ

“I always enjoy fresh uplifting fragrances during the day, and, in the evenings, I gravitate towards deeper, more sensual scents. For my wedding, I wore my husband’s fragrance brand, SoL Mystic Voice. It is unisex, and just gorgeous—a perfect unisex blend of musky and sweet, that feels sophisticated and timeless. It’s also my husband’s favourite scent on me—that makes it even more special. And that I was part of its creation process (it was my very first time visiting a perfume lab), which was a very exciting experience for me.

Nina’s Top Picks For Brides-to-Be

Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc

Pro Tip

“Lately, I’ve stopped spraying directly onto my skin, since most perfumes contain toxins. Instead, I spray lightly at a distance onto my clothes, making sure it doesn’t stain. This helps the fragrance linger beautifully throughout the day. Also, take time to find a scent that matches their natural pheromones, instead of blindly following trends. It’ll be a game-changer.”

Soniya Mehra

Actor and Fitness/Pilates Instructor

“I love collecting perfumes, and wear a new one almost every day, so I don’t really have a single ‘signature scent’. But I do have a ‘signature style’ of fragrance—notes that feel warm, grounding, and sensual, such as woody, vanilla, nutty, amber-rich bases combined with floral notes. That balance of timelessness, depth, and femininity feels very me, whether it’s a soft daytime fragrance or something bolder for a night out.

For my wedding, I went with Byredo Mojave Ghost. I wanted a fragrance that carried both softness and strength. And Mojave Ghost also has this free-spirited, untamed quality that reminds me of being in nature, almost like forest bathing. That felt so fitting for us as a couple. Kunal [add surname] and I have been together for 13 years, and we first met at a music festival—so choosing a scent that evoked wildness, freedom, and deep-rooted connection felt perfect.”

Soniya’s Top Picks For Brides-to-Be

Matiere Premiere Black Saffron.

Le Labo Another 13

Tom Ford Lost Cherry

Kayali Pistachio Gelato

Pro Tips

“Never buy a fragrance immediately—always spray it on your skin and give it at least 20 minutes to settle before deciding. My little ritual is the ‘magic spritz’: 4 to 7 sprays, depending on how strong the perfume is, and always 20–30 minutes before leaving, so it settles beautifully without being overpowering. And never rub the fragrance after spraying—friction can disturb the top notes.”

Pawan Shahri

CEO and Founder, Chrome Hospitality

“For daytime, I lean towards something fresh and easy, like citrusy, aquatic, or just clean, energising notes. For the evenings, I like something with more weight and personality, like woody, smoky, or slightly spicy. A fragrance that leaves a trace but doesn’t walk into the room before I do. On my wedding day, I decided on Tom Ford Oud Wood. It just felt right timeless and distinct. I wanted a fragrance that would be very comforting and something I trust..something I could always tie back to that day. In fact, Oud Wood has become my ‘special occasions only’ scent since. Every time I wear it now, it gives the same feel.”

Pawan’s Top Picks For Grooms-to-Be

Creed Aventus

Chanel Bleu de Chanel

Pro Tip

“There’s something really admirable about finding a fragrance that feels like ‘you’ and owning it. When a person has a signature scent, it becomes such a strong part of how you remember them. Also, I always test a fragrance on my own skin, it changes so much once it settles. And never wear too much of it. Even the best fragrance can turn unpleasant if it’s overdone. The charm is in subtlety—it should make someone lean in, not step back.”