The Perfume Note: Perfume Bar Inspiration From Our Perfumer

Perfume bar inspiration: styling the Full Perfume Bar

The Full Perfume Bar is our most editorial setup. Think vintage decor and rows of bottles that catch the light, with white linens and lace overlays available as an add-on. Guests blend their own fragrance from more than 120 materials, guided by scent families and signage that makes each choice feel easy.

Every blend starts from a base, the foundation a perfume is built on. We offer six: floral, masculine, fresh, musk, sophisticated and gourmand, which is sweet and dessert-like. For guests who would rather not start from scratch, the Full bar also holds a family of signature scents.

From there, you can make it entirely your own. Upgraded florals, a different bar display, signage in your palette, and custom labels with your names, date or logo, all available as add-ons. Labels are a paid add-on, printed in advance and ordered at booking. Each bar can sit on a table, a luxury counter or one of our candy carts.

Want to see how couples use it? Our guide to whether a wedding perfume bar is worth it walks through what you get, and the wedding perfume bar cost guide covers the budget.

Materials spotlight: jasmine, gardenia and sandalwood

This month's trio is a modern floral that feels airy and warm at once. All three are guest favorites at our bars.

Jasmine is radiant and a little sensual. It brightens almost any blend and plays well with citrus. Gardenia is creamy, lush and romantic, a true heart note. A heart note is the middle of a perfume, the part you smell once the first sparkle fades. Sandalwood is warm, velvety and grounding. It sits at the base and holds the florals in place as the day goes on.

Try this at your next bar: jasmine plus gardenia plus sandalwood. Start with more sandalwood than you think you need, then add the florals a drop at a time. The result is soft, wearable and lovely for a spring or summer wedding. For more seasonal ideas, read my notes on summer and fall wedding scents.

We blend with absolutes, CO2 extracts and essential oils. In plain words, these are the concentrated natural extracts perfumers use. Every bottle a guest takes home is an eau de parfum, a perfume-strength spray, in a 15 ml or 20 ml size.

Kids and teen parties: what families are booking

Kids parties keep growing, and our skincare parties lead the way. Children make simple products like scrubs and moisturizers from cosmetic-grade ingredients, guided by age-based cards. I wrote about why in Skincare for Tweens: Why I Built a Skincare Bar.

The Mini Perfume Bar is another favorite. It holds 60 kid-friendly fragrance materials, from candy and fruity to floral, for ages 5 and up. The Lip Lab is close behind: guests mix a soft lip cream or a high-shine gloss from a 16-shade swatch board.

Teen parties, designed for ages 12 to 17, feel a little more grown-up. Teens love the independence of choosing every note themselves. Our hosts are background-checked, all female and trained to work with children. Kids parties start at $475, and our teen parties page has more.