Finding the right wedding scent can sometimes be challenging whether you are the groom, best man, attending as a guest, or when you are choosing the cologne for your husband to be. The right cologne can help you smell fresh in a day full of meeting different people in close proximity, handshakes, hugs, dancing and eating. In this post we are coming up with some tips on how to select your wedding cologne. In the end we present our selection of best wedding colognes for a groom, and top choices of colognes when you are invited to a wedding.

Several factors such as weather condition, wedding venue, and longevity of the cologne are important when selecting the wedding cologne. Also important are how formal the wedding is, and what impression you want to make.

Weather

One of the most important factors in choosing the wedding cologne (and any fragrance in general) is the harmony between the scent and the weather conditions. Although many wedding ceremonies are taking place in spring or summer, there is no particular timeline for a wedding, it can happen at any time of year depending on the couple’s schedule and many other considerations. 

In order to categorize fragrances and suggest best fragrances for each season, we use fragrance wheel shown in the image below. Fragrances are categorized into four main scent families: Floral, Oriental, Woody and Fresh. Each scent family is composed of several subfamilies. Here is a simple general guideline for selection of fragrance type for each season based on the scent family.

Season	Scent Family
Spring	Woody / Floral
Summer	Fresh (Green, Water, Citrus)
Fall	Woody / Floral
Winter	Oriental

 

 

 

Time, Location, and Formality of the wedding

Other important factors are the time of day, location of the wedding, and how formal the wedding is. Generally daytime fragrances are more light and subtle whereas heavier scents are more suited for the evenings. Wedding location is another important factor. Strong scents may not be good choices for the smaller venues, whereas in larger outdoor spaces such as a garden or beach, heavier colognes work well. For casual fun weddings, floral and citrus scent families in the fragrance wheel can be used, whereas woody and spicy scents are better choices for more formal weddings.

Cologne Concentration and Longevity

Another important factor is the longevity of the cologne you are wearing. Wedding ceremonies can last from a couple of hours to a whole day event. Although you can refresh your fragrance every few hours, it is preferred to choose a fragrance type that can last for the whole duration of the event. It is important to note that the longevity of the cologne will not increase if you spray heavier douses of the cologne, it wears out after certain duration depending on the type and concentration of the fragrance, regardless of how heavily it is sprayed. Here is a simple table with an overview of the different types of fragrances and their respective concentrations and longevities.

Type	Longevity	Concentration	Remarks
Perfume	6-8 hours	20-30 %	Highest Concentration of fragrance oil, least alcohol Best choice for sensitive skin
Eau De Parfum (EDP)	4-6 hours	15-20 %	Most common type along with EDT Typically nightwear
Eau De Toilette (EDT)	3-5 hours	5-15%	Most common type along with EDP Typically daywear
Eau De Cologne (EDC)	2-3 hours	2-4 %	Oldest term for perfume Masculine scents / younger generation
Eau Fraiche	1-2 hours	1-3 %	Least concentration of fragrance oil Typically light and subtle

 

 

List of Best Colognes for Wedding

We are providing 2 lists for best choices of colognes for a wedding. The first table lists the best colognes for a groom. The second table provides a list of best colognes to wear in a wedding, as a best man, or as a guest. The lists cover a wide range of scent families suitable for different seasons and different types of events or locations.

Best Colognes for Groom

1. Creed Aventus EDP Spray

 

 

2. Tom Ford Noir Extreme EDP Spray

 

 

3. Armani Code Giorgio Armani EDT Spray

  

 

4. The One Dolce & Gabbana EDT Spray

  

 

5. Burberry Touch EDT Spray

  

 

6. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male EDT Spray

Time / Occasion	Longevity (hours)	Fragrance Notes
Evening / Winter	3-5	Top: Fresh mint, bergamot, & lavender Middle: Orange blossom, cinnamon, & cumin Base: Cedar, sandalwood, tonka bean, & vanilla

  

 

7. Dior Homme Eau De Toilette Spray

Time / Occasion	Longevity (hours)	Fragrance Notes
Summer	3-5	Top: Moroccan grapefruit, coriander & Calabrian bergamot Middle: Tuscan iris Base: Virginia cedar

  

 

8. Prada L'homme Intense EDP Spray

Time / Occasion	Longevity (hours)	Fragrance Notes
Winter	4-6	Top: Amber and iris Middle: Leather & patchouli Base: Tonka bean & sandalwood

  

 

9. Vera Wang Eau De Toilette Spray

Time / Occasion	Longevity (hours)	Fragrance Notes
Formal	3-5	Top: Yuzu & green mandarin leaf Middle: Nutmeg, leather, & anise Base: Sandalwood & tobacco

 

 

10. Amouage Jubilation Xxv EDP Spray

Time / Occasion	Longevity (hours)	Fragrance Notes
Winter	4-6	Top: Frankincense, labdanum, coriander, tarragon & davana Middle: Clove, orchid, rose, laurel, bay leaf, gaiac wood, cinnamon, honey & celery seed Base: Opoponax, patchouli, myrrh, cedar wood, musk, ambergris, oud & immortelle

 

For each cologne, the fragrance notes have been added. Since the middle and base notes form the longest lasting impression of the fragrance, they are of particular importance for a wedding cologne selection. Middle (heart) and base notes, - specially the base notes - will be noticed for most of the wedding time. The top notes fade away much quicker than the middle and base notes.

Here is the list of best colognes when attending a wedding as a best man or as a guest.

 

 Best Cologne when Attending a Wedding as a Guest

1. Hermes Terre D'Hermes Perfume Spray

 

2. YSL La Nuit De L'homme EDT Spray

 

3. Boss Bottled Intense by Hugo Boss EDP Spray