10 tips: What to Wear for Your Engagement Session

Unsure about your look for your engagement shoot? No worries! These photos are meant to be beautiful and timeless as you look back on those sentimental moments from the beginning of your marriage journey. Plus, you could be planning to showcase these pictures on everything from your save-the-dates and wedding website to the walls of your first home, so it's important to look and feel your best. 

Before you tear through your closet or go shopping, it may be helpful to consider these few tips on choosing the right look for your upcoming shoot.

1. Wear Clothes That Make You feel natural and confident.

If your style is more casual, don’t opt for a suit or a beaded gown. Wardrobe choices that are outside of your comfort zone will make you feel and look awkward. You should feel comfortable and authentic in your clothes, which will translate in your photos. It’s fun to dress up but its just as compelling to wear clothes that naturally suit you. If you have a favorite piece, style, or color- even if its understated- incorporate it into your look. It’s most important to feel comfortable and authentic as the shoot and the photos will be more organically beautiful. 

2. Compliment One Another Without Matching.

Matching Ensembles are not ideal for engagement sessions. You want to be cohesive but not twins. Look for complimentary styles and colors as these will look coordinated but not matchy-matchy. 

3. Choose Neutral Tones And Natural Colors. 

Avoid overly bright or vibrant colors as they will draw all of the attention in your photo. You don’t want your clothing to be the focus of your shots, but rather a beautiful element to support the real subject- the love between you and your partner. Neutral tones are easy to coordinate, look natural in any setting, and they are timeless for photographs. You can also opt for pastel or earth tones if they suit you and your setting. 

4. Wear Solids Or Subtle Prints

Solid colors are easiest to coordinate but if you prefer you can also wear subtle patterns such as a plaid shirt or a large floral print in with more neutral colors. Prints can make for beautiful photos, but its important that they are understated and not distracting to the overall aesthetic. 

5. Dress For The Setting

If your shoot is at a particularly rugged location, keep that in mind when you choose your outfit. You might not be as intrepid as you would like in a gown or heels. Likewise, you may not be able to be as active or your partner may not want to lift or carry you in a minidress. If you have a unique location or prop for your session, such as a rustic farm or a vintage car, you can play into this theme by choosing your look accordingly. Your engagement shoot should be a reflection of who you are, so if you’re the outdoorsy type, jeans and boots may be perfect or if you’re a beach lover, a flowy (is that even a word?) skirt and bare feet will look stunning as you walk on the sand. 

6. Choose Classic Rather Than Trendy

You might love those white high-tops now but a few years down the road, you may look at them as crazy clown shoes. Just keep that in mind when you choose your outfit for your shoot and ask yourself, “Will I think this is beautiful in a few years or is this just a fad?” 

7. Showcase Beautiful Details

If you have a dress with an elegant back or a top with beautiful details, now may be the time to showcase those items. If you love a specific detail in particular, let your photographer know so they can work to incorporate that with a close-up or a shot from an alternate angle. Sometimes a photo from behind can be the most stunning with these details in mind. 

8. Choose An Accessory

this may not be the time to showcase all of your favorite statement pieces, but an accessory or two such as a kimono, hat, or necklace can add interest to your portraits. It is also helpful to choose an accessory that you can interact with, such as a flowy shawl. They should be easy to slip on and off, which enables you to style a variety of looks. 

9. Less Is More

Try to limit your choices to 2-3 outfits at the most. Unless you want to emulate Lady Gaga, you don’t want the focus of your session to be a full-fledge fashion shoot with wardrobe changes every 5 minutes. You will have glamorous photos during your wedding day but your engagement session should be intimate and reflect the love you have for each other.

10. Choose Clothes That Move Well

A flowy skirt or an assymetrical hemline will look beautiful from so many angles and with so many types of movement. Opt for clothing that give you free range of motion and fit well as you move. 

What truly matters.

Most importantly, you need to love what you’re wearing. No matter why you love it, the best way you can ensure that you will have beautiful photos is to be sure you feel beautiful and comfortable and happy! The focus of your session is the authenticity of you and your partner as well as the love between you!

For more inspiration on styling your session, check out our Pinterest!

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