Engagement Photo Outfits

What To Wear For Your Engagement Session

Now that you’ve gotten engaged, it’s time to commemorate the event with a gorgeous, intimate engagement shoot. This can be one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking things about getting engaged, especially when it comes to outfits. If you’re stuck wondering how to dress for a photo shoot, you’re not alone. Choosing engagement photo outfits can be intimidating since they’ll be going on everything from save-the-dates to the walls of your new home. Fortunately, we’re here to help. Before you book your session, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your outfits will be comfortable, coordinated, and lovely.

Ultimately, you should wear what you feel most confident and comfortable in. Above all else, you should feel like your outfits are completely “you” and reflect your personality and style. The information that follows isn’t to force you to wear something you normally wouldn’t, it’s to guide you in the right direction to select the best options out of what you already own! With that being said, here’s a guide to help you choose outfits will photograph best so your photos turn out the best possible!

What Colors To Wear

From experience, we’ve found that neutrals and earthy tones photograph best. This doesn’t mean you can’t wear colors- there’s neutrals for every color! Instead of green, try a soft forest green. Instead of bright orange, go with a burnt orange. Instead of yellow, go for a mustard yellow. Don’t wear colors that are too similar to your partner, as you’ll blend together in the photos. White dresses aren’t just for weddings! An off white, loose dress or romper photographs so well and is easy to pair with whatever your partner is wearing. Since we are shooting outdoors in nature 99% of the time, bright fluorescent colors end up becoming more of a distraction which is why we recommend staying away from them.

Patterned VS Solid Clothing

Patterns can really be hit or miss, which is why we generally recommend avoiding them unless you are bringing them as a spare option. Many times while shooting outdoors in nature, patterns can make the images too busy and distracting. However, if your favorite shirt or dress that you are so excited to wear has a pattern, don’t let this stop you from wearing it. If you wear a pattern, make sure that it’s only ONE pattern between both of your outfits, please avoid both wearing a pattern as it will likely clash. Soft, subtle patterns are fine. Flannels are generally fine as well, as long as they are neutral in color. Avoid at all costs: Stripes that are close together, as they create a moiré effect in camera. Big chunky patterns, logos and graphics can be distracting.

Outfits That Allow Movement

Movement is a key component to a good image. Outfit wise, anything that can show movement or catch wind is a huuuge yes!! Think flowing dresses, skirts, etc. You’ll be moving around quite a lot during the session, so please wear an outfit that allows for this- no super low cut shirts, short dresses, high heels, etc. Otherwise, it will restrict us from doing a variety of “poses”. We aren’t picky when it comes to shoes. However, we recommend avoiding high heels as they restrict the amount of movement we can do. You can bring heels to change into for the static shots, but we want to ensure you don’t hurt yourself while walking, running, spinning, etc!

Considering the Season and Environment For Your Engagement Photo Outfit

Our first tip is to wear clothes that feel like you. If you’re an athleisure-loving couple, dressing up in a ballgown or tux might make you feel stiff and awkward. If you feel uncomfortable, it’s going to show in the pictures. Instead, opt for clothing that makes you feel comfortable and confident. The idea is to look like yourself at your absolute best.

Tip number two is to complement, not match, your partner. While matching outfits are super cute for Christmas cards, they can feel gimmicky in engagement shoots. Instead, select complementary colors and solid prints. This will help you look coordinated without distracting from the focus of the engagement photoshoot. You want to draw the eye to your faces and the love between the two of you. For that same reason, lean towards pastels, cool colors, and neutral tones. Avoid bright, distracting colors and prints. Chose colors that compliment your features and skin tone.

Then, tie your outfits together with a color scheme. Pick one or two colors and fabrics to incorporate into your outfits. For example, if you’re wearing a forest green piece in your first outfit, have your partner incorporate that color into their second one. This will help your photos look synergetic throughout the album without being too matchy.

Think about incorporating one or two accessories into your outfits as well. Statement pieces like scarves and necklaces add extra pizzaz to your outfits while drawing attention to your face. You should also layer up. This helps you be prepared for whatever mother nature throws at you on the day of the shoot and creates visual interest. Opt for classic pieces rather than trendy ones. Think about timeless looks that you will enjoy looking at ten or twenty years in the future.

Fall Outfit Inspiration

One crucial step to building your perfect engagement outfit is coordinating with the season. If you’re getting engaged in the fall, pick outfits that feature fall colors and fabrics. Denim pieces are always a great choice for fall engagement photoshoots. Incorporate reds, oranges, yellows, browns, and whites into your outfits. Since the weather is cooler, layer up. Use scarves, jackets, shawls, and other pieces to add dimension to your outfits. Chunky necklaces and cute boots are other great choices.

Engagement Outfits for Winter

For a winter engagement, think about incorporating fabrics like fur and leather to add dimension and warmth to your photos. Go with dark jewel tones for colors like emerald greens and deep purples. If you and your partner are winter sports enthusiasts, a photoshoot in your ski gear is an adorable choice. Make sure you select clothing that is going to keep you warm and comfortable if you’re in a snowy environment. You should also avoid gimmicky holiday-themed clothes like Christmas sweaters. Let your engagement be its own event.

Summer Engagement Photo Outfits

A summer engagement is a perfect time to go barefoot on the beach in a pair of nice shorts. For a summer photoshoot, chose light and flowy fabrics like lace and cotton. For the summer, chose bright colors that compliment your skin tone. Pick one, maybe two bright colors that look nice on you and incorporate them into your outfits. If you go with patterns, keep them subtle. Don’t let your cool, vintage Hawaiian shirt take the attention away from your faces.

Spring Engagement Photo Outfits

Pastels and soft colors are perfect for spring engagements. Use light layers to create contrast and depth in your outfits. Fabrics like lace, cotton, and silk are great choices. Spring is also a great season for incorporating slender jewelry and open-toed shoes into your outfits. You can also opt for pastel button-downs and nice slacks.

Casual Engagement Photo Outfits

A casual engagement shoot is a perfect time to showcase your passions as a couple. Stage a photo shoot of you and your partner enjoying whatever it is that you love most. From surfing to skiing to tasting beer, incorporate your favorite activity into the shoot. For casual outfits, slip into whatever makes you most comfortable doing the activity you love. Try wetsuits for surfing, ski suits for skiing, or an outfit that makes you feel confident. Make sure it matches the season and environment.

Formal Engagement Photo Outfits

Formal engagement photos always turn out gorgeous. For formal outfits, a good rule of thumb is to go one level of fancy down from whatever you’ll be wearing in your wedding photo shoot. Suit separates or a blazer and some jeans/chinos are a perfect choice. A dress in a luxe fabric that highlights your features is also perfect. If you don’t want to shell out money on formal wear, you can always rent a fancy outfit online.

Engagement Photo Dresses

Dresses for engagement photos should fit the season that you’re being photographed in. Sundresses are perfect for spring and summer. Lean towards light fabrics and seasonally appropriate colors. For winter and fall, look for dresses with thicker, warmer fabrics. Sweater dresses are a great choice and can be classed up with a scarf or chunky necklace. Prioritize dresses that highlight your best features and make you feel confident. Stick to classic shapes and styles that will still look good in twenty or thirty years.

Additional Engagement Photo Considerations

Hair & Makeup

Some choose to have their hair and makeup professionally done for the session. We recommend doing whatever is going to make you feel confident and happy with your appearance! If you don’t typically wear a lot of makeup, you probably want to avoid having heavy makeup done for the session since it won’t look/feel like you. Either way, you may want to consider bringing a mirror, brush and makeup for touch-ups (especially if the session is during the summer when it’s hot + humid).

Accessories & Props

Hats, sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, etc. adds interest to the outfits and photos. Consider incorporating props into your session such as your dog, a bouquet, champagne to pop (or beers to shotgun!), a blanket to sit on, a picnic, your favorite foods (pizza, donuts, etc.), even your car or motorcycle.

Important Tips

Please iron your clothing, we do not photoshop out wrinkles. If you have animals, it’s a good idea to bring a lint roller to get rid of any visible hair. Wear clothing that makes sense for your location. If it’s going to be cold, opt for warmer materials that hold in heat like flannel or wool. If it’s going to be hot, opt for cooler materials that can breathe.

Choose Authentic Collective for Your Engagement Photos 

Now that you know how to choose engagement photo outfits, you can relax and get ready to enjoy your shoot. Engagement photoshoots should be a fun, intimate experience that results in photos that you’ll enjoy for years to come. If you’re ready to book a professional photographer for your engagement photo shoot, contact us today and let us capture this magnificent moment in your life.