What to Wear for Your Engagement Session

I love engagement sessions so much! I love the opportunity they give me to get to know my couples (and vice versa) without the added stress of a wedding! I love the way that they allow my couples to get comfortable in front of the camera long before their wedding day. I love that they allow us to have a little bit of worry-free fun without any stress! When planned correctly, an engagement session can really add value to any couple.

One of the questions I get asked most frequently when helping my couples plan their engagement sessions revolves around wardrobe! So many couples just don’t know what to wear! I know these engagement photos will be used for save-the-dates, the guest book, wedding website and more. Not knowing how to properly coordinate and dress can really put a damper on the excitement that I want my couples to feel when it comes to their session.

While I sadly can’t come to their homes and dress every single one of my couples, I do offer a small client wardrobe (I’ll be posting more about this in the future!) and I’ve compiled a small list of guidelines to help my couples find their engagement session outfits! I’m also thrilled to offer virtual wardrobe styling!

Coordinate
Coordinating doesn't mean you have to wear matching outfits. But your look should be cohesive! The best way to achieve this is by drawing from the same color palette! Different shades and varieties of the same color family work very well for this, as do complimentary colors! Be sure to maintain the same level of formality, too. If you’re wearing a ball gown, he shouldn’t be in cargo shorts. If he’s wearing a suit, you shouldn’t be wearing jeans. Keep your location in mind when planning your colors, too!

Make sure you’re comfortable
One of the most important factors that goes into feeling confident for your engagement session is being comfortable! If you’re constantly pulling and tugging on your clothes, you aren’t going to be able to let your guard down long enough to really get comfortable in front of the camera. Unless you’re really feeling yourself in whatever outfits you’re trying on, move on until you find something that makes you feel like a stunner!

One other confidence booster I like to share with my couples is to invest in spoiling yourself a little for your session! Ladies, get your nails done and guys, get that hair cut and a fresh shave! It makes all the difference in the world in your photos.

Don’t be afraid of bold colors and patterns!
While that little black dress is always your go-to for dressier occasions, don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit. Obviously, you don’t want to go overboard, but focusing on a simple print or two can help you pull colors together from that same palette and keep everything cohesive.

Jenna and Ryan were a little more eccentric in their pattern choices, but they pulled it off so well! I love the way Jenna coordinated her cardigan with Ryan’s pants and even pulled in some of the black from Ryan’s shirt in her skirt!

Don’t forget the accessories
Layers and accessories can add so much depth and interest to your photos, and they are such a fun way to incorporate your own personal style into the session. And ladies, don’t forget - your engagement ring is absolutely an accessory! Make sure and get it nice and clean and shiny before your session so it can steal the spotlight for a shot or two!

Don’t be afraid to get a little fancy
You only get to take your engagement photos once! You might as well make it memorable AND fashionable! Consider renting a dress from Rent the Runway for your session! Most engagement shoots offer time to change your outfit, so you can have one fancy outfit and one that’s a little more casual. It really all depends on what your personal style is, where you plan on having your engagement session photographed, and what makes YOU feel like a million bucks! In the end, these images are yours to cherish for years to come, so make them yours!

I hope some of these tips help you and your soon-to-be dress perfectly to celebrate your perfect day! For more inspiration and examples of great engagement session outfits, take a look at my Photo Style board on Pinterest! You might find some ideas to help you put together the perfect engagement session wardrobe!