One of the most common questions engaged couples ask me is this: What do I wear for my engagement session? And it’s an important question! After all, these photos are often used for announcements, save-the-date cards, and even as décor for the wedding ceremony or reception.
Choosing what to wear for your engagement session can often be a challenge. That’s why I’ve put together these tips on choosing outfits for your engagement photos.
Go for neutrals and pastels
Overall, you’ll want to avoid bright colors as they can be distracting, but they CAN work depending on the location/environment you’re going to be shooting in. In fact, you consider light colors like pastels, cool tones, or neutrals and add a pop of color with your shoes or accessories.
Avoid matching, but avoid clashing too
You don’t want to wear the exact same color, but you also don’t want to wear colors that don’t go together or busy patterns for your engagement photos. Choose complementary colors and solid prints. For example, pick a color palette that works well for both of you and choose outfits within that palette. You can even wear different shades of the same color for a gentle matching effect.
Add an accessory or two
Choose at least one accessory, like a scarf or a statement necklace, to add texture and interest to your photos. Similarly, consider dressing in layers, such as jackets or cardigans. These pieces are easy to take off or put on, making for more variety in your outfits.
Pick classic looks
When choosing your outfits, go for looks that are timeless, rather than trendy styles. You don’t want your images to feel dated a few years later, and trendy looks can feel awkward in photos. Again, you want your look to feel effortless in your engagement pictures.
Limit the number of outfits
Your engagement session isn’t a fashion photo shoot, and you don’t want to be rushing to change outfits. Stick with two outfits that depict your unique style and add layers you can put on or take off for a different look. If you and your fiancé’s styles are wildly different, talk to your photographer about how you can make them work together.
Choose outfits that express your personality
Most importantly, wear clothes that make you feel like yourself and that allow you to express your style and personality. Your engagement session should be fun, and you want your outfit choices to reflect who you are, as well as feel comfortable!
FAQs: What to Wear for Your Engagement Session
1. How do we select engagement session outfits that photograph like luxury portraits instead of casual snapshots?
We’ll guide you to choose garments with elegant fabrics, flattering silhouettes and complementary colours such as flowy dresses, tailored jackets, muted tones or one refined pop of colour, so your session feels high-end and aligned with our elevated photography style. We’ll also review outfit choices together ahead of time, making sure what you wear enhances your setting, lighting and overall visual story.
2. What wardrobe coordination tips should we follow so our engagement photos look cohesive, not mismatched or “trying too hard”?
We’ll advise on pairing rather than “matching”, choosing colours that complement each other, aligning formality levels and combining textures thoughtfully. For example, if one person wears a soft blush sheath dress, the other might wear navy with a blush accent. This attention ensures your gallery looks intentional, timeless and reflective of your style as a couple.
3. What outfit-planning mistakes most frequently affect engagement photo results and how can we avoid them?
Mistakes like wearing oversized graphic prints, clashing patterns, or clashing levels of dress-formality can distract from your connection and make the images feel less refined.We’ll preview your outfits virtually (or in person), confirm textures, accessories, and fit, so the focus stays on your story and the imagery looks polished.
4. How should we factor location, season and lighting into our outfit choices so the photos don’t look off-balance?
We’ll consider your chosen location (urban, park, rooftop), weather (summer, fall, winter) and lighting window, and recommend outfit changes accordingly: lighter breathable fabrics for warm sessions, deeper tones for architectural settings, layered outfits for seasonal texture.Combining our location expertise with careful wardrobe planning helps ensure your images look cohesive and luxurious rather than mismatched to the setting.
5. We’re nervous about looking stiff or awkward, and what guidance will our photographer provide to make us feel comfortable in our outfits and look natural on camera?
We’ll begin the session with relaxed, candid movement in your more comfortable outfit, then use your dressier look once you’ve warmed up. By structuring the flow this way, you’ll feel more relaxed, confident and natural in front of the camera, while still achieving the elevated, editorial-style images that define our brand. Our goal is for your engagement gallery to look like a styled portrait experience, not merely a photo-op.
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