Bridesmaid Fragrances (what to wear without overshadowing the bride)
Picture the delicate balance of a wedding day: the bride radiant at the centre, surrounded by a constellation of bridesmaids, each a vision in their own right. As a bridesmaid, choosing a fragrance is about finding something that feels personal, elegant, and celebratory, yet never threatens to outshine the leading lady. The perfect scent for the day should whisper rather than shout, lingering in the air with understated charm, a gentle reminder of the joy and beauty of the occasion.
These fragrances are not only ideal for bridesmaids – they make wonderful choices for wedding guests, too. Just as it’s considered the height of wedding day etiquette to avoid wearing white as a guest, so too is it best to steer clear of any outfit – or indeed, any scent – that might overshadow the bride.
The perfumes featured here are crafted with subtlety and charm in mind; they are not the kind to dominate a room or announce your presence from twenty paces away. Instead, each one carries a distinct and memorable personality, ensuring you’ll feel confident and elegant throughout the celebrations – and long after the confetti has settled.
Whether you’re standing by the bride’s side or raising a glass to the happy couple, these scents offer a touch of individuality and grace, making them just as wearable for a lifetime as they are for a single, special day…
Glossier YOU Fleur
Imagine petals caught in a sunbeam, delicate and dewy, kissed by the morning mist. This scent unfurls with a whisper of neroli and the crispness of just-picked pear, as if plucked from an orchard at dawn. Beneath the airy floral veil, a soft musk hums, warm and intimate, inviting you closer – but never demanding the spotlight. It lingers like a blush on the skin – fresh, flirty, and utterly wearable, as though spring itself were wrapped around your pulse points. No cloying sweetness, no powdery heaviness, just a gentle hum of ambroxan and iris, grounding the bouquet in a way that feels both familiar and elusive. It is the fragrance of a bridesmaid who glides through the day with effortless grace, radiating quiet confidence, never upstaging the bride, but always remembered for her charm.
£70 for 50ml eau de parfum uk.glossier.com
Granado Jardim Real
Step into the golden light of a Rio de Janeiro garden, where the air shimmers with the zest of bergamot and mandarin, as effervescent as laughter. The heart blooms with orange blossom, its creamy sweetness tempered by magnolia and jasmine – a bouquet picked at the height of summer. There is a romantic delicacy here, a whisper of pink pepper adding a subtle spark, while sandalwood and patchouli anchor the scent in timeless elegance. It is a fragrance that moves like silk, swirling around its wearer with the lightness of a floral breeze – never overwhelming, always poised. For the bridesmaid who wishes to carry the spirit of celebration in every step, this is the scent that lingers in the air long after she has walked by – a memory as beautiful as the day itself.
Try it as part of the Granado Coleção Perfumes Discovery Set, £58 for 5 x 10ml
Yardley English Jasmine
A morning meadow bathed in golden light, where white blossoms unfurl beneath a sky brushed with lemon and mandarin. This scent is an opulent embrace of jasmine and tuberose, their heady richness softened by the innocence of calamondin and frangipani. The base is a whisper of precious musk and cedarwood, lending depth without weight – a gentle caress on the skin. It is the fragrance of a bridesmaid who moves with quiet elegance, her presence felt but never forceful, her bouquet a reminder of timeless beauty and gentle restraint. She is the one who smiles softly, her scent as memorable as a sunlit garden – lingering long after the vows are spoken.
£18 for 125ml eau de toilette boots.com
Tocca Giulietta
Picture a sun-drenched villa by the sea, where green apples glisten on the vine and roses tumble over whitewashed walls. This fragrance is a daydream of romance, its heart a bouquet of Bulgarian rose, ylang-ylang, and pink tulips, woven with the freshness of lily of the valley and iris. There is a sweetness here, but it is soft, never saccharine – balanced by the earthiness of cedarwood and the warmth of vanilla orchid. It is the scent of a bridesmaid who embodies timeless grace, her presence as refreshing as a Mediterranean breeze – her fragrance as light and uplifting as a morning in Capri. She is elegance itself, never overpowering, always enchanting.
£85 for 50ml eau de parfum theperfumeshop.co.uk
Creed Spring Flower
A burst of apricot and bergamot, as bright and cheerful as a ribbon tied in one’s hair. This fragrance is a celebration of spring, its fruity heart dancing with powdery rose, tuberose, and jasmine – a bouquet that feels both vintage and utterly modern. The base is a whisper of cedar, vanilla, and sheer white musk, grounding the scent in warmth and comfort. It is the fragrance of a bridesmaid who brings joy to the occasion, her scent as light and uplifting as laughter – never heavy, never cloying, always just right. She is the one who brightens the room, her presence as fresh as a garden after rain – her fragrance a gentle reminder of happiness.
£265 for 75ml eau de parfum creedfragrances.co.uk
Memoize Rose Luxuria
A cascade of raspberry and blackcurrant, as rich and velvety as a summer dessert, opens this scent with a flourish. The heart is a fairy-tale bouquet – ylang-ylang, muguet, and tuberose – wrapped in vanilla and powdered sugar, as airy as meringue and as comforting as a warm embrace. There is a gourmand sweetness here, but it is balanced by a musky cloud – light and playful, never overwhelming. It is the fragrance of a bridesmaid who sparkles with joy, her scent as indulgent as a secret treat, yet never stealing the show. She is the one who dances through the day, her presence as delightful as a confection – her fragrance a whisper of happiness and warmth.
£227 for 100ml extrait de parfum in the Shop
Written by Suzy Nightingale