A question I am commonly asked is “What do we wear for our engagement session?” These images are a once in a lifetime experience and it’s only natural that you want to look and feel your best because you’ll be cherishing them for the rest of your lives. My first piece of advice; a little prep goes a long way. Choosing outfits that feel 100% you well before your session will allow you to arrive feeling relaxed, confident and ready for all the fun we’re going to have. Do I have you now? Read on for my six engagement outfit tips to nail your session.

1. Wear Clothes That Feel Like You

Comfort and staying true to your style is key. You want to be able to enjoy your partner without having to focus on fabrics, how something fits, or wearing something that isn’t something you would normally wear. If you feel more yourselves in your band T-Shirts and jeans, don’t feel like you have to show up in a suit and a long, flowing dress if that isn’t your vibe. You don’t want to look back and see yourselves trying to be something you’re not. On the flip side of that, I recognize we aren’t all walking around on a daily basis in epic flowing gowns with tons of fabric BUT they are super fun for engagement sessions. I always recommend my couples to bring at least two outfits for different looks and feels. So if you want to go big and epic with a fancy dress, I say do it! Your second outfit can be more chill, relaxed and casual. Different looks and feels, baby!

2. Coordinate With Your Partner, Don’t Match

I recommend coordinating your engagement session outfits as opposed to matching. Remember seeing family photos where everyone was sporting a white shirt and jeans? Yeah, don’t do that. Instead, opt for colors that complement each other and avoid wearing the exact same thing. Accessories that coordinate with your partner’s outfits are a great way to do this!

3. Consider Your Location

I recommend avoiding colors that blend in with your background. If your engagement session is taking place somewhere with a lot of greenery, opt for colors that will stand out as opposed to wearing green. If you’re in love with wearing green, consider a location with different colors. Beyond color, consider your environment and how your style fits with it. For example, it would look odd to wear street clothes to a super nature-like setting. That would make more sense for an urban location.

4. Choose Two Outfits

I always recommend my couples select two outfits for their session because this allows us to get more variety. Sticking to two outfits also ensures you won’t be wasting precious minutes rushing to change multiple times. Remember, this session is about you and your partner. You want to feel confident and look fabulous. I always recommend one dressier option and one more casual to give you more looks and feels.

5. Dress for the Season

Make sure you take into consideration the climate and location. A thick scarf and knee-high boots won’t work for a summer engagement. You want your outfits to be reflective of the season you’re in, especially so you aren’t roasting in that scarf in 90 degree heat.

6. Don’t Be Afraid of Color

I usually recommend avoiding neon colors that reflect off your partner’s skin. However, if bright bold colors are your thing, go for it! I have photographed my fair share of sessions with brides wearing striking red dresses and bold pinks and they win me over every time. If bright colors make you happy, own it! If you choose pastels or more neutral outfits, you can always add a pop of color with your accessories. A pro tip: if you choose to wear a bold color, make sure your partner is in something more neutral.

I hope you enjoyed these tips! If you’d like to see a full engagement session for more inspiration, check out this link!

Places to shop for your engagement session:

Unique Vintage / Vici Dolls / Baltic Born / Olivia’s Gowns / Utah Dress Rentals / Teuta Matoshi / Tinsel Jackets at Bottle Blonde Studio

J. Crew / UNTUCKit / ASOS / EXPRESS / The Black Tux