There's a lot to think about when planning your engagement session. Part of my job as an engagement and wedding photographer is to walk clients through the process, helping them feel comfortable, and offering guidance whenever it's needed. I want to help make choosing your engagement photo outfit easier by offering tips on what to wear for engagement photos and what not to wear.

Let’s start with my top tips for choosing an outfit for your engagement photos!

How to Choose What to Wear for Engagement Photos

#1 - CONSIDER THE LOCATION

Location plays a very important role in any photo session. You may think considering the location is an obvious tip, but it’s probably the single best tip I can give you. Keep in mind the type of location where your photos will be taken, and consider that when coordinating outfits. Will you be taking them on top of a mountain, at a historic downtown location, or on the beach? 

I encourage clients to match their outfits to the style of the location but also be prepared for the conditions of the location. If you want to wear a flowy dress to run around a field or pose on a mountain overlook, you may want to pack a spare outfit or shoes you can comfortably walk in. 

If you are taking photos at a historic downtown location like the Hershey Theatre, dressing in something more formal would be a great option. Coordinating your outfits to match the style of the location not only looks great in photos but also makes for a more comfortable session experience. 

#2 - DRESS ACCORDING TO YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION OR WEDDING THEME

Not all engagement photo sessions have a theme, but if yours does, you want to make sure your outfits fit the theme. If you’re going for a formal theme, you may want to opt for black-tie outfits. Considering your photo theme goes hand in hand with location. The location often determines the theme of your session. 

If you are taking photos at a location like the Pennsylvania State Capitol, sticking to a timeless outfit would look amazing. If you want to theme your session around something special to you as a couple, coordinate your outfits to that. If you love to go to coffee shops together or go on picnics at a park, wear outfits that pair nicely with that location. Consider what you would normally wear on a date. Taking engagement photos will be super fun and low-pressure if you feel comfortable, which goes into my next tip:

#3 - WEAR A COMFORTABLE OUTFIT

Your photos should reflect you as a couple. If you don’t like dressing up with a flowy dress and a button down and slacks, you don’t want to force it just because you think you need to. I want you to look at your photos and see an accurate representation of you as a couple. You should see yourself in those photos, not someone else. 

Comfortable outfits are also super fun to take photos in. Whether that is a matching sweat set, wearing your favorite jeans, or another look, a comfortable outfit can make it easier to feel natural in front of a camera and get cozy as a couple.

#4 - DRESS IN THE SAME LEVEL OF FORMALITY

If you choose to wear comfortable clothes or dress up, you’ll want to be sure you are both dressed in the same level of formality. 

#5 - COORDINATE, DON’T MATCH

When picking outfits, I recommend keeping in mind the word “complement” rather than “match.” For example, if the guy is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, the girl may want to choose a long, soft blue dress. It can also be a great idea to choose “color families,” such as pastels or jewel tones.

#6 - BRING EXTRA OUTFITS

It’s easy to overthink and overcomplicate what to wear for engagement photos. I don’t want you putting too much pressure on a single outfit, so I am all for bringing an extra outfit or two to change into during your session. Mix it up with a casual jeans look, swap it out with a skirt, and then change into a flowy dress. This will provide tons of variety for you to choose from, and ease the anxiety of picking a single “perfect” outfit.



#7 - DON’T FORGET THE ACCESSORIES

Accessories add a great touch of detail to an outfit and can add fun and creativity to a shoot. Do you have a necklace or watch that means something special to you, beautiful dangling earrings, or a cool set of sunglasses? If you bring accessories along for your engagement shoot, you can decide if you want them or not. If something is not working, I’ll let you know. After all, I want you to love your photos.

#8 - CHOOSE NEUTRAL TONES

If you have no idea where to start with your engagement photo outfits, sticking to a neutral color palette is a great way to go. The colors coordinate very well together and look put together without a ton of work. 

#9 - Bring in Some Color

I often encourage couples to stick to neutrals as they are easier to coordinate and look amazing in natural locations, but a pop of color doesn’t hurt! Keep in mind the colors of your locations and each of your outfits, though, as you want to make sure it won’t clash. If you want to implement a little color, consider sticking to soft tones. Consider bringing in a pop of color with your dress and keep your partner's outfit in jeans and a white button-down, or other neutrals. 

#10 - Match Your Wedding Colors

If you know the colors for your wedding, choosing what to wear for engagement photos becomes easier! When you match your photos to your wedding colors, they will look coordinated in the end. Plus, your engagement photos will look SO good displayed at your wedding.

#11 - Check the Weather Forecast

Weather plays a big part in what outfit you choose. If it’s going to be sunny and warm, avoid clothes that will show sweat patches. You also want to keep in mind the location and expected weather conditions. If it’s winter and you’re taking photos at a mountain overlook, it will likely be colder and there may be snow. Bring warm clothes and pack layers. If it’s going to be super windy, you may want to wear clothes that fit closer to your body. 

What to Avoid for Engagement Photo Outfits

I couldn’t write this guide without giving you some tips on what to avoid for engagement photo outfits. As an experienced engagement and wedding photographer, I’ve seen tons of incredible outfits, so I know what does and doesn’t work in front of a camera.

#1 - Something you’re not comfortable with

I touched on this earlier, but I want to highlight it again here. Your outfit should be a reflection of who you are. If it doesn't feel like you, then don't wear it! Don’t feel pressured by trends or other things like that. Be yourself, you'll thank yourself later.

#2 - Patterns

When deciding on your outfit for your engagement shoot, it's best to avoid wearing clothes with clashing or busy patterns. It's also important to make sure that what you wear complements your partner's outfit as well. Clashing patterns don't look good in photos. So, if one of you is wearing a pattern, like plaid, it's better if the other person opts for something without a pattern.

#3 - An outfit that doesn’t match your skin tone

One way to make your features pop, in either a positive or negative way, is by wearing certain clothing colors. To choose an outfit that compliments you, you’ll want to know which colors complement your unique features.

#4 - Something you’ll never wear again

It’s easy to get carried away trying to find the perfect outfit for your engagement shoot. My advice is to choose something you’d love to wear again even after your engagement session is over. That way, you’ll really be getting your money’s worth!

Final Thoughts

When it comes to what to wear for engagement photos, there’s a lot to consider, I know! I’m always willing to help my couples figure out what to wear for engagement photos. I want you to feel amazing in front of the camera. My goal is for you to look back at your photos, remember the wonderful time you had taking them, and see your beauty. These tips are suggestions I have to help you choose an outfit that accurately reflects you as a couple and compliments your features. 

If you would like to see more engagement photo outfit ideas, view this Pinterest Board. If you are interested in booking an engagement session with me, contact me! I am so excited to hear about your love story.