If you haven’t taken photos since your senior year of high school, you’re not alone. Figuring out what to wear for engagement photos can feel intimidating, but I’m here to give you all the tips and tricks (and even affiliate links) to help you get engagement photos you’ll love and enjoy!
The biggest question I get from brides is “What should we wear?” First, before shopping for an outfit, there’s a few things you need to consider about the nature of your session. When figuring out what to wear for your engagement photos do these things:
Plan according to your location:
- Will you be out in nature? Dress for the weather and/or bugs!
- What kind of architecture will be around you? Elegant and gold like the Fisher Building or white and simple like the Detroit Institute of Arts?
- Are you going to be doing something fun like attending a carnival or having a picnic in the grass? Consider how well you can move in your outfit!
- Are you going to a windy place like the beach? Maybe it’s best not to buy that short dress!
Consider your skin tone:
If you or your partner have red or peachy skin tones, avoid red! It will bring our the redness in your skin. Instead, opt for blues or greens. Do you have tan or have darker skin? Reds often look great on you!
If you have blue or green eyes, we love blues and greens to bring our your eye color! If you are not sure what colors look good on you, check out this in-depth article by Stitch Fix to help!
What is the most you?
- If you don’t like dressing up in formal gowns and high heels, don’t!
- If you know you’ll quickly destroy anything white, opt for an ivory or different color
Don’t match too much:
You want to make sure you are coordinated with your partner, but you don’t want to wear the same exact thing! Avoid wearing the same colored tops or bottoms. Instead, try these tips:
- Play of one color in a multi-colored piece (ex. Hints of burgundy in your skirt matches a all-burgundy shirt of your partner’s).
- Wear same colors with different tones (ex. You wear light blue, he wears darker blue)
- Add in a neutral tone like white or beige for balance (ex. She wears white and blue dress, he wears ivory top or white shirt).
Be Comfortable:
You don’t want to be constantly adjusting your outfit. Consider some of these factors to feel most comfortable:
- How low your top is – don’t want to be pulling at it all night!
- How short your dress is
- Is it itchy? Don’t wear it!
- Shoes hurt your feet? Bring a change of shoes to walk in!
Consider props:
Props can really add to a session and make photos more fun and interesting! Here are some of my favorites to include:
- Heart sunglasses
- Flowers
- Bows for your hair
- A fun, short veil
- Champagne or bubbly juice for a pop!
- Your favorite card games
- Your favorite food
- A cake with your date on it!
Planning Engagement Photoshoot Outfits
My engagement sessions typically range from 1-2 hours long. We typically fit two outfits into a session, depending on the session. I always recommend one formal outfit and one casual outfit if you have the time and space for an outfit change.
I personally love incorporating white into an engagement session. It’s simple, goes with the theme of marriage, and it can be so elegant. White can be incorporated in casual and formal photos. When planning a formal outfit, you can’t go wrong with a white dress and a suit. I recommend finding an outfit you love that you’d even rewear to other bridal festivities!
Here are some casual pieces from Amazon I love:
Some of my favorite Amazon dresses:
- Simple summer short white sun dress
- Fun, flirty short dress – would be great with some fun heels like these!
- Simple long white dress with flutter sleeves
- Lacy white dress (great for boho vibes!)
- Short, pencil white dress with sleeves, so elegant!
- Casual Long, white dress with sleeves and pockets (I’m a fan of puffy sleeves!)
- Formal Long sleeve white dress
Other dresses I love:
- This layered ivory dress from Altar’d State
- This fun cocktail dress from Lulu’s
- This off-the shoulder dress from Lulu’s in any color is a win!
- Pretty much anything from Baltic Born! They do not allow refunds, though, just give you store credit for another purchase.
Add in some fun shoes to complete the outfit!
If you are worried about how your body will look or are self-conscious about some features, consider these tips:
- Three-quarter length sleeves or bubble/flowy sleeves if you’re worried about your arms
- Heels can elongate your lengths for the short queens. We love close-toed heels!
- Consider cute flats or boots if your partner is shorter than you, even Toms or Hey Dudes!
- Snatch your waist! High-waisted pants or A-line dresses look great on just about anyone!
Tips to Prepare You for Engagement Photos
Plan your whole day. Need to get off work early? Want to make dinner reservations? This may be your only formal photoshoot with your partner, so go all in! Have fun with it! Especially if you plan to use these for save the dates or wedding invitations.
- Polish your ring
- Get your nails done! But keep it neutral.
- Hire a pro for hair and makeup. This is a great time for your hair/makeup trial to see what you may want for your wedding. I just recommend fancy updos, as that may be too formal.
- Pack a bag for your engagement session to make sure you have everything you may need. Bring some comfy shoes if there’s going to be lots of walking (change them for photos!) and some touch up makeup. Consider a stain-remover pen if you’re involving food in any way!
Overall, when planning what to wear for engagement photos, try not to stress. You want to make sure you enjoy this time with your partner! Follow the tips above and talk to your photographer to find the best outfits that make you feel your best! Engagement photos are meant to tell your story, and what you wear for them is just one part of that!
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