Some men wear the same cologne for years, and others swap out scents depending on their mood or the occasion. If you're a groom or you're shopping for a groom's gift, consider the different types of fragrance profiles. The most popular fragrance families include citrus, woody, aromatic, aquatic, leather, and gourmand. While citrus scents are fresh and uplifting, woody fragrances are earthy and grounded, perfect for those who love the great outdoors. Aromatic colognes blend herbs and spices, and aquatic scents give notes of an ocean breeze. Leather fragrance families are bold and spicy, and gourmand colognes are warm and comforting, appealing to those who love the scent of sweet treats.
We researched the best options to help you find your ideal cologne for the wedding day and beyond. After testing dozens of colognes, we determined our final selection based on longevity, freshness, ingredients, value, and quality.
Enduring Classics
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With notes of New Caledonian sandalwood, dry cedar, and subtle citrus, it’s a masculine scent that won’t overpower the senses.
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A gorgeous, smoky blend complete with hints of amber, sandalwood, earthy vetiver, and a touch of spicy cardamom.
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One of Byredo's most popular scents, it’s Old World leather mixed with plum, spicy cinnamon, and soothing vanilla.
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This timeless classic is known for its sensual, woody base notes with a subtle burst of mango and citrus scent.
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Sweet and spicy, this scent is reminiscent of a jazz club with rum, tobacco, pink pepper, and a sensual vanilla bean finish.
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A collaboration with Another magazine, this cologne contains a blend of musk, moss, and a bit of floral jasmine.
Enduring classics feature a crisp, refined scent that boasts woody, cedar undertones, so a man who appreciates complex and nuanced fragrances will favor this option. These typically have a more subtle finish than other scents yet are still strong enough for everyday wear or special occasions and garner compliments from anyone passing.
“Le Labo ANOTHER 13 Eau de Parfum and Byredo Bibliothèque are two scents I adore on men; they are musky and sensual and still allow him to smell like him. Chanel Bleu de Chanel is one of the most popular colognes with grooms for its woody and fresh citrus aromas that have what we call silage, to last all day and night with just one spritz.” —Jill Di Donato, former BRIDES associate editorial operations director
Masculine and Rugged
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A little bit goes a long way with this smooth, masculine, leathery scent with a top note of night-blooming jasmine.
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This complex scent includes warm vanilla, woody balsam, and floral notes of lily of the valley and pink pepper.
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A refreshing, zingy blend of lemon, bergamot, and black currant mixed with warm birch, cedarwood, and oakmoss.
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A refreshing and clean scent made with notes of green apple, spicy cinnamon, and sensuous wood.
Masculine and rugged colognes feature woody notes mixed with cedar, leather, neroli oil, and tobacco. Think dark, smooth, and intimate aromas that are as romantic as they are virile.
"Fragrance is genderless and subjective; any person can wear any scent that appeals to them (and their significant other). Fragrances marketed as masculine tend to favor darker, smoky notes like tobacco, tonka bean, and cedar. Tom Ford comes to mind as the quintessential creator of masculine and rugged cologne." —Di Donato
Fresh and Clean
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Oceanic, bold, and modern, this fragrance blends citrus bergamot with vetiver and a top note of iris.
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A mineral-y mix of wood sage, ambrette seeds, and sea salt, this scent is both airy and woodsy at the same time.
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This cologne provides a carnal Parisian potion with notes of cedar, jasmine, juniper and a hint of burnished wood and tobacco.
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A longtime classic, this enticingly addictive scent has clary sage, patchouli (but not the hippie kind), and citrus.
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Inspired by the rays of the sun, this cologne contains earthy galbanum resin, bright bergamot, and spicy ginger notes.
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Mysterious and sexy, this cologne was inspired by the Mojave Desert and contains musk, Jamaican nesberry, and a wisp of violet.
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This elegant cologne has notes of lemon, orange, and bergamot for an all-around clean scent that embodies timeless tradition.
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Bright, spicy, and aromatic, this eau de toilette is an ideal balance of citrus and woody scents perfect for day and night.
So fresh and so clean—these colognes are for the man who prefers subtle to overpowering. He may be sensitive to fragrance but still wants to wear cologne. You'll find earthy and verdant notes as well as beachy ones to conjure sea and surf or the forest just after a rainfall.
"I'm a longtime Byredo fan, and Mojave Ghost captures a clean musk that's crisp and light. I was very excited to try Louis Vuitton's Lovers by Pharrell Williams, which he says was like capturing sunlight in a bottle. When my boyfriend had it on, I couldn't get enough." —Di Donato
Timeless and Sophisticated
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Fierce, wild, and inspired by nature, this spicy blend contains woody notes and lingering lavender.
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Chic, timeless, and long lasting, expect a woody and floral scent with hints of geranium and sage.
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The Burberry Hero is a masculine, woody scent made with cedarwood oils and black pepper, with a zesty bergamot finish.
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Herbaceous yet warm, Hermés’ H24 captivates the senses with a mix of narcissus, clary sage, and rosewood.
A gentleman requires a sophisticated scent. Find fragrances from classic French houses known for their master noses. Think clary sage, deepened by juniper and black pepper, refined and chic.
"I like a rugged guy who can still clean up nice. A sophisticated scent like the Hermès H24 accentuates both warm, woody notes with its rosewood and sage and a sensual allure of narcissus in the embodiment of an eau de toilette." —Cher Checchio, BRIDES copy editor
Elegant and Formal
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Made with tonka bean absolute, this scent includes hints of vanilla, pepper, and cedarwood underneath a white musk base.
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A gender-neutral, citrusy scent, this toilette includes top notes of Calabria bergamot and Sicilian lemon with a musky base.
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If you want a full-bodied cologne with notes of patchouli, musk, rum, and mandarin then this pick will last all day long.
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A blend of lavender, cardamom, woodsy notes, and a touch of mint, this deep scent is great for the fall and winter months.
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The One features a playful, floral scent with a mix of narcissus, white water lily, and neroli to enliven the senses.
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Inspired by the forests of Vietnam, this spicy yet creamy blend includes sandalwood, cypress, and bright coriander.
These scents are ideal for special occasions as they are elevated and intense. Citrus finishes, woody musks, pepper, and cedarwood define this aromatic genre. Ideal for the black-tie affair, these scents are rich and luxe and meant to linger.
"As one of my favorite scents for men's cologne, you can't go wrong with a cedarwood and spicy blend. If you want a fragrance that's masculinity in a bottle, opt for The One by Dolce&Gabbana with its warm, inviting notes." —Checchio
What to Look for in Colognes for Men
- Blend vs. Singular Notes: First, decide if you'd prefer a woody fragrance or something with fresh and uplifting notes. Please don't get stuck on single ingredients, as cologne gets its scent from the blended profile, not singular notes. So, don't discount a scent because you have notions about a singular note.
- Longevity: Do you want a fragrance that lasts all day or lingers for a few hours between spritzes? If you're unsure what the best scent is, it's also wise to test out colognes for men at a department store counter or boutique. Just don't try too many at once—take breaks with fresh air and a whiff of coffee beans, which are said to help reset and neutralize smells.
- Perfume Concentration: Eau de toilette has a lower concentration of perfume oil, which means it tends to have a lighter scent. It is also less expensive but doesn't last as long. Eau de parfum has a higher concentration of scent and lasts longer but often costs more.
FAQ
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It's best to spritz it directly onto clean, dry skin—after a shower is ideal—targeting pulse points like the inner wrists and neck. Hold the bottle 3 to 6 inches from your skin and try not to exceed four pumps.
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You don't have to, but it could be fun to experiment for this special occasion. If you find a new scent for the big day, you’ll be reminded of this memory every time you wear it after the celebration. Of course, the most important thing is to feel comfortable and at ease at your wedding—if you want to try a new cologne, give it a few test runs ahead of the event so you're sure it doesn't overwhelm you.
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You want to ensure you're buying from a verified seller on Amazon rather than an unverified retailer or seller. Verified sellers will have a link under their product’s name directing you to visit that brand’s store.
Why Trust Brides
Jill Di Donato is the former associate editorial operations director at BRIDES who wrote about bridal trends, gifting, beauty, and style since 2022.
BRIDES contributor Amber C. Snider is a design and fragrance expert who contributed additional reporting to this story. She's been a bridesmaid in more weddings than she can count and is most likely buying a dress for another wedding right now.
