I know what you’re thinking – the wheels are turning, you’re knee deep into your wedding planning and suddenly, it’s almost time to take your engagement photos. Now, if you’re anything like me, you have a pretty good idea of what you think you want to wear, but then you end up overthinking, changing your mind, and changing your outfit at least five times. There’s nothing more frustrating than feeling like you have no freakin’ idea what you’re going to wear, especially for an important occasion like your engagement photos!

Lucky for you, my friend – I have compiled all of my tips and tricks for making sure you come to your engagement session with your best foot forward! So, whether you’re leaning towards elegant chic or something more casual-cool, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in, lovebirds.

01. Comfort is Key

First and foremost, I want you to wear what makes you feel like you! If you feel uncomfortable in your clothes, it will show in your photos. Listen to your gut when it comes to choosing your outfit for your engagement photos. Some couples love an excuse to go all out, while others prefer to go a bit more casual.

Pro Tip: Planning on wearing heels? Bring a comfortable pair of shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Odds are, you will be doing lots of walking from location to location – the last thing you want is for your feet to be hurting during your photos!

02. Bring Multiple Outfits

It’s always encouraged that you bring multiple outfits, especially if your session is going to take place at multiple locations (but this doesn’t have to be the case). Having those different options with you leaves more room for creativity and comfort, and alleviates the stress of being unsure. For your comfort and convenience, many photographers will bring pop up changing tents so you can change on site without having to look for a bathroom / change out in the open!

Pro Tip: Bring casual + dressy options with you!

03. Coordinate Your Outfits

Focus on coordinating your outfits instead of matching with your partner – I recommend finding a color palette you both enjoy and styling your outfits based off your chosen palette! Think of where your session will be and what you’ll be doing, this will also help you narrow down what to wear!

Pro Tip: Match your wedding! Hana & Nick (pictured below) coordinated the colors of their engagement photo outfits to match the colors in their wedding. It’s a subtle way to bring a cohesive look to your photos and works perfectly when sending out save the dates and invites!

04. Neutrals

I always recommend wearing lighter tones and neutral shades. Anything super bright and loud (think hot pink, candy apple red, etc) can draw the eye toward that piece of clothing and away from your beautiful faces, and sometimes makes the image feel out of balance.

05. Props & Accessories

Hats! Jackets! Sunglasses! Veils! Don’t skimp on the accessories! One simple accessory can add so much dimension and a little casual creativity to your photos. Props are another thing that can add so much with so little! Bring a blanket and have a picnic in your favorite place, pop some champagne and cheers to this chapter of your lives, the list goes on and on!

Pro Tip: Pick your location and plan your props around it! Kelly & Cameron (below) did a beach session and decided to break out the surfboard!

06. Dress Accordingly

Consider the location of your session, the season you’re getting them done, and don’t forget to check the weather a few weeks out (The Weather Channel has a ten day forecast tracker!). Not only will this help you narrow down your outfits and accessories, it’ll also help you feel the most comfortable on the day of your session. Colder weather is a great excuse to layer up with fun accessories like scarves and hats, while warmer weather is the perfect excuse to throw on a swimsuit and hit the beach (if that’s your vibe)

Pro Tip: Getting your photos done in the warmer months? Bring a portable fan, oil blotting sheets, and a small towel to your session so you can freshen up and stay cool.

07. Don’t Stray From the Trends

Trends are trendy for a reason, but just because something is “trendy” doesn’t make it bad. If you like it, do it!! I’m all for the timeless looks, but your photos should reflect you and this time in your lives, and that includes the world around you! If incorporating “trendy” items or styles will bring you joy, go for it.

08. What to Avoid

+ Busy patterns
+ Logos of any kind
+ Loud graphics
+ Bright, vivid colors (like bright red, neon orange, etc.)
+ Patterns that clash: for example, if one of you is wearing a plaid, make sure the other is wearing something more neutral so the patterns don’t clash.

Your engagement photos should be a reflection of you as a couple, and the season of your lives in your engagement – because at the end of the day, these photos are for you to enjoy and cherish. The most important thing is to have fun and be present in this joyful experience. Take what you want from this post and leave the rest. Don’t sweat the small stuff. 🖤

Xoxoxo,
Casey