10 Tips for Achieving Amazing Outfit Choices For Your Engagement Session

When I talk with a bride and groom before an engagement session, they usually tell me the sweet story of how they met, share their wedding plans, and they almost always ask the same question: “What should we wear for our engagement photos?”  For all of you ARP brides and future brides too, here are some amazing tips to get your ready for your engagement session.  This post is all about giving great tips and amazing inspiration as you prep for your upcoming engagement session and picking those right outfits.

There’s a hint of nervousness around engagement session wardrobe—you’re probably thinking, We’ll have these photos for the rest of our lives, so we should look our very best.
I’m here to tell you that you shouldn’t put that kind of pressure on yourself. As I always say, this session is about you and your love story. Don’t think of it as a photo session. Try to think of it as just a normal day—the two of you hanging out, doing what you love to do the most.
And you should wear clothes that you love, too. Think about which pieces in your closet light you up and make you feel joyful. These 10 tips will help you as you make your selections, clothes that inspire bliss and set the scene for gorgeous photos.

1. Choose pieces that match the environment of your session’s location. For example, if the setting is urban, a dressier look seems appropriate. If we’re shooting in a rustic atmosphere, a pair of stylish boots can fit in perfectly.

2. Feel free to bring more than one ensemble to the session. In my experience, when couples each pick two outfits—one elegant and one casual—it offers good variety. In fact, two outfits is the ideal number for a session.

3. Wear clothes that feel good in your soul. For instance, you shouldn’t wear a flower crown if you normally don’t wear anything on your head. Don’t follow the trends—wear what you feel comfortable in.

4. Neutrals never fail. It will give the feel of light and airy no matter what the weather is like. But if your personality calls for a red dress, just make sure that your fiancé wears a non-vibrant color, like gray or black.

5. I always tell clients that these may be the very first photos you hang up in your home, so think about the color palette of your décor. Those are likely the colors you are drawn to, so try to match those hues in your engagement session.

6. Avoid wearing matching clothing. Think of it as “complimenting” one another instead. When you and your fiancé eat dinner together at home, I’m sure that you’re not wearing matching outfits! Your photos should convey authenticity.

7. Dressing in layers is a no-fuss way to change the look of an outfit. Sometimes, depending on the location that is chosen, a changing area might not be immediately available. Accessories like scarves, necklaces, and belts can be easily added or removed to change up a look, and they add pops of personality, too.

8. Enhance the things you love the most about yourself. I always recommend professional hair and makeup for an engagement session, so you’re sure to look and feel amazing. Think of your session as a fancy date with your fiancé, complete with pampering beforehand.

9. If you bring along props, think about the context of your session. A picnic basket looks out of place in a library, for example. And if you feel awkward holding a prop, it’s completely fine to skip it! Just be you.

10. And lastly, I always tell the couples I photograph to be natural. Be relaxed, and be yourselves. Laughing is always a good thing—in pictures and in your lives together!  If you love the romantic feel to images I suggest you wear a long and flowy gown.  The movement in the wind will catch the dress and you’ll see just how fun it is to play with the dress 🙂
For more style inspiration, visit the Engaged gallery in my Portfolio.

In Warmth & Love,
Rosy