Incorporating a bespoke wedding scent into your wedding day is an upcoming trend as Yasmin Sharp, essential oils expert at Nikura, explaines, "With more than 10 million hashtag views on TikTok (#weddingscent), UK couples are looking to add a unique element to their big day. There are many ways to incorporate scent into your wedding including crafting candles, soaps, wax melts, diffusers, rollerballs, potpourri, and even scented paper for (invitations and stationery, such as menus, order of service, and place cards)”.
Alex and Oliver are getting married in Leeds on 30th September 2023 and spoke with Nikura about how they have created their own bespoke scent for their wedding day...
How are you introducing a wedding scent at your wedding, and in what quantities? We've created custom candles to be lit around our venue, each guest has a custom candle as a wedding favour with our wedding label/branding on it and we also have created handwash with the same scent to be used in bathrooms around the venue too.
Why did you decide to have a wedding scent at your wedding? Owning a candle company and having worked closely mixing and creating custom scents before, we realise how important it is to create a sensory experience. We knew we wanted to create custom candles as favours, as it feels personal to us as a couple and nice nod to our shared business together - but by having the scent incorporated throughout the day we thought guests would be able to reminisce and really remember by having that sensory experience carried all the way through to when they burn that candle afterwards.
Which fragrances did you choose, and why? It's a custom blend with notes of: dark tobacco, honey, vanilla, and sandalwood. They're some of our favourite scents and reminiscent of the type of musky scent we'd choose as cologne, taking inspiration from some of our personal favourite aftershave/scents (Tom Ford & Penhaligons).
Did you DIY or purchase from a vendor? We did it all ourselves, but I think we were lucky as with owning a candle company (Flaming Crap) we mix custom scents a lot and have managed to perfect our process. I'd definitely say if you're not sure to work with a trusted supplier, whether that's a small business or a larger well-known brand (e.g. Jo Malone offers partial scent creation workshops).
How much roughly did it cost you? We created our candles at cost price with materials we already had, so altogether it cost us probably around £150-200 for about 5L of hand soap and 100 candles. I'd caveat though this is probably on the cheaper end, as this is done cost and we have arrangements with suppliers and already had stocks of wax etc.
How easy did you find the process of making your own wedding scent? We found it easy but again it's more of a learnt skill. Mixing oils to create a unique blend can be difficult and dangerous if you're unsure. I'd always recommend asking an expert or working with a company. Also, bespoke oils can be incredibly expensive, and balancing different oils together to create a pleasing scent can rely on using different quantities of each, so its key to understand which scents work well together and the material in which they're set into.
A new study by hen party supplier Smiffys has revealed the cheapest UK cities to host a hen do, with Yorkshire's Kingston upon Hull crowned the most affordable destination. Scoring the 50 largest UK cities based on six affordability factors, the city achieved 92.06 out of 100 thanks to its budget-friendly nightlife and low-cost drinks. Nearby Yorkshire locations also performed strongly, with Wakefield and Sheffield securing places in the top 10. With hen do searches peaking between April and June, the findings highlight the best-value UK destinations for brides-to-be planning a memorable celebration without overspending.
READ ARTICLE
The British Wedding Tradition Most Guests Never Question
Most wedding guests have heard the phrase "wedding breakfast", but very few stop to question it. After all, the meal is rarely served in the morning. It usually comes after the ceremony, often in the afternoon, and can involve anything from a formal three-course dinner to sharing boards, canapes, grazing tables and dessert stations. So why do we still call it a breakfast? According to Nick from Country House Weddings, the answer goes back centuries and is tied to religion, fasting and the way weddings were once celebrated in Britain. Breaking A Very Specific Fast The word "breakfast" does not originally mean a morning meal. It simply means breaking a fast.
READ ARTICLE
Yankee Candle - quick on sale now!
If you're looking for thoughtful gifts for your bridal party or stylish wedding favours, now is the perfect time to shop. A selection of Yankee Candle fragrances is currently available at 30% off on Amazon until 10 July. The discounted range includes romantic favourites such as Wedding Day, alongside fresh summer scents including Cherry Blossom, Sage & Citrus, Tangerine & Vanilla, Red Raspberry, Fluffy Towels and Lavender Vanilla. Those planning autumn or winter weddings can also stock up on seasonal fragrances including Warm Cashmere, Autumn Wreath, Christmas Cookie, Snow in Love and Mistletoe.
READ ARTICLE
Why intimate weddings might be becoming the celebration of choice in 2026
Intimate weddings are becoming increasingly popular at The Milner York in York, as modern couples move away from large traditional guest lists in favour of smaller, more personal celebrations. Wedding coordinator Imogen D'Cruz highlights a growing demand for private dining receptions, bespoke ceremonies and extended wedding weekends that allow couples and guests more meaningful time together. Couples are prioritising quality experiences, from tailored menus and personalised décor to multi-day stays that include welcome dinners and post-wedding brunches. While budgets are being reallocated rather than reduced, the focus is on creating memorable moments with close family and friends. This shift reflects a broader 2026 wedding trend towards flexibility, authenticity and relaxed, experience-led celebrations.
