Scents play a powerful role in our memories and emotions. Just imagine walking down the aisle, surrounded by the delicate fragrance of blooming flowers. Or perhaps dancing the night away, wrapped in a warm, comforting aroma. Maybe even having powdery scents soothe you as you get ready to put your dress on. These sensory experiences make the day much more immersive, and this is what scentscaping is all about.
Scentscaping is the intentional use of fragrances to create a specific atmosphere or mood. In the context of weddings, it can involve everything from the floral arrangements to the ambient scents diffused throughout the venue during the reception.
We spoke with two industry experts — Rich Asuncion, CEO of Lumi Candles, and Lala De Leon of Simoy ng Haraya — to get their insights on this new trend. Keep reading to know more, brides-to-be!
“This idea came into my mind back in 2021 when me and my wife, Nesza, were about to get married. However, I was not able to implement it since we were too busy fulfilling orders with LUMI, our business, and wedding preparations since it was December,” shared Rich. The concept didn’t take off immediately but found its moment later on.
“Another opportunity for us to showcase this came in 2023 when we were invited by Marriott Manila to become one of their Souvenir Partners. This is when we proposed that we could use some of our products to fragrance the tunnel of the venue,” he added.
We feel it’s fitting to start introducing it to weddings because it is indeed one of the biggest life decisions any person will make, and we would like to be part of [that] through the custom fragrances we prepare for our couples,” he emphasized.
According to Rich, the process begins with understanding the couple’s vision and preferences. “We align the scent with the wedding’s theme and style, meticulously crafting a fragrance that represents the couple’s unique story,” he says. He further elaborates, “The first step is really to get to know our clients, what their interests are, and how they envision their big day to be. Researching and understanding the elements involved helps us better craft the fragrance that best fits the couple.”
Rich notes an increase in interest and excitement among couples when they realize the potential of venue fragrancing. “A lot of the couples we meet get excited especially since they are just hearing this for the first time from us,” he comments. “Not a lot of people know it still, and so sometimes people are still skeptical about it.”
Discussing the benefits of having a signature scent at a wedding, he highlighted both functional and intrinsic advantages. “One of the functional benefits of having Venue Fragrancing on an important day is masking the unwanted odors brought about by setting up and preparing for the event; mixed sweat, new paint, smell of an old/wet carpet, and all other unpleasant odors present in any space,” he explained.
On a deeper level, he added, “It enhances and completes the overall theme, style, and experience of an event.” These elements work together to not only improve the atmosphere but also deepen the emotional connection guests have with the event.
“By appealing to the olfactory senses of your guests, you are not just making the experience more pleasant for them but you are also able to store a deep sense of happiness that they could go back to whenever they smell that same fragrance,” he adds.
Lala enthusiastically supports the concept of scentscaping for weddings. She explains, “This is an amazing idea because our sense of smell has a lot to do with making moments memorable. We tend to relate certain situations to smell and this is because it is how our brain functions.”
The best scent for a wedding is incredibly personal and can also be influenced by the location of the ceremony. For instance, a beach wedding might be complemented by lighter fragrances that’s reminiscent of the freshness of the ocean, while a ceremony in a rustic barn could be enhanced by richer, earthy tones like cedar or sandalwood. Mixing and matching scents can also be a fun way to add a unique twist to your big day. Popular wedding scents often include jasmine, rose, and vanilla for their romantic and universally appealing aromas. At Simoy ng Haraya, there’s a wide selection of scents to suit any wedding style—from floral and fruity to musky, woody, and even gourmand.
Lala also suggests that couples incorporate this custom scent into their new life together. “It would be wonderful for them to bring the scent home, serving as a lasting reminder of their wedding in their new space.” This way, couples aren’t just personalizing the wedding day, but extending the sensory memory beyond the event, into their everyday life.
Well, that’s entirely up to you! Scentscaping definitely offers a unique twist by adding personalized scents into your wedding day, which can make moments feel even more special and memorable. If you’re looking to add a distinctive touch that taps into the emotional and memorable aspects of your celebration, and if it’s not completely out of the budget, it might just be the perfect addition to try out for your big day.
Share your thoughts on scentscaping with us below! We’d love to hear what you think about it.