Couples always ask us what to wear for their engagement photo session, and we don’t blame them. This type of photo session is special, intimate, and often tough to pick outfits for. While wedding photos will capture you both dressed to the nines, engagement photos are all about showcasing your personalities. You’ll want to choose an outfit that reflects your personal style and makes you look amazing. Below we’re sharing our top outfit tips for a beautiful and genuine engagement photo session.  

We’ll do our best to keep you at ease during the shoot, but your outfits will also be a big help. Trust us, it will show in the photos if you’re wearing something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Wearing clothes that you love are always part of the foundation for excellent photos!

Side note: keep the location in mind. Your outfits should be practical and stylish. Heels may be perfect for a city shoot, but you should stick to sneakers if you’re heading to a wooded area or a meadow. 

We recommend bringing casual and dressy options so you get the best of both worlds. Your casual outfits will reflect the sweet, everyday moments of your relationship, while your dressy options will allow you to create memorable images with just a hint of glamor. You don’t have to go all out with a ball gown and a tuxedo, but your engagement photos are a great opportunity to wear some of your nicer pieces. 

Wearing outfits in a similar style or color scheme will give the photos a nice flow. You don’t need to match; just make sure the outfits make sense together. For example, you can both wear denim, but maybe one person wears jeans and a sweater and the other wears a denim jacket over a dress. You don't have to be too strict about color schemes. They can be as simple as lights, darks, pastels, or earthy tones. If you’re stuck on what colors look good together, you can always consult the trusty color wheel! 

Bold colors and prints work well in fashion magazines, but engagement shoots are more about the couple than the clothes. Choosing neutral colors and small prints will ensure that you and your fiancé(e) are the main focus of the photos. If you love colors and prints you can still wear them, but maybe save your fluorescent pieces for another occasion. 

Think of longevity when choosing your engagement photo outfits. You’ll be treasuring these photos for years to come, so your shoot may not be the best time to test out the latest Instagram trend. You can’t go wrong with plain t-shirts, sweaters, button-down shirts, jeans, chinos, or simple dresses.

Spring. Ah, the season of fresh flowers and dewy grass. Spring is the perfect time of year for embracing classic romance. Ladies will look sweet in subtle floral dresses or t-shirts and midi skirts, and gentlemen can keep it simple in a light sweater or jacket and jeans.

Summer. The hottest season of the year is all about lightweight, breezy pieces. Ladies can stay stylish and comfortable in maxi or sundresses, and gentlemen can keep it classy in a loose button-down shirt and light denim. 

Fall. Colorful leaves always provide a beautiful backdrop for photos. Keep the fall vibes strong with earthy tones (mustard, rust, tan, and olive) and light layers: cozy knits, lightweight jackets, and dark denim.

Winter. Snowy shoots are very romantic, but dressing for them isn’t always easy. You want to dress warm enough that you’ll be comfortable spending a few hours outside, but you won’t want to be too bundled up. Utilize cute accessories like beanies and scarves, and strategic layering like thermal leggings underneath pants, to ensure you stay comfortable. Wool coats will give your photos a more elegant feeling, but shorter puffer coats are perfect for an outdoorsy setting.

What’s your dream engagement photo outfit and location? We’d love to know in the comments!