The Ultimate Engagement Session Style Guide
Your engagement session is such an exciting chapter in your “engaged era”. It’s your chance to show off your new fiancé and that rock on your finger! As a Midwest wedding and couples photographer (and past bride myself), I know the slew of emotions + nerves that surround engagement photos. For whatever reason, there seems to be some kind of unspoken pressure for these pictures to depict you two as “effortless”. And while I definitely hope that you feel your best on the day of your engagement session, I want to let you know that it’s not about being effortless - it’s about being you as a couple. Your engagement session is meant to highlight the love between you two, your energies, and your personalities. One of the easiest ways to do so is through clothing! But I also know that is something that is easier said than done. Lucky for you, Chuck and I have put together The Ultimate Engagement Session Style Guide to help you kick of your engagement photos with confidence. Let’s get into it!
Engagement Session Style tips
01. Look like Yourself
My biggest piece of advice for choosing what to wear for your engagement session is to dress the way you usually do. Pretty easy, huh? Odds are, you’ve probably worn something in the past that just didn’t feel like you. Maybe it was a style you weren’t in-love with or it might have even felt like you were wearing someone else’s clothes. So think back to how wearing that clothing made you feel… probably pretty uncomfortable.
You want to feel comfortable and confident during your engagement photos, and the best way to do that is to wear clothes you feel great in. Wear that old band t-shirt, favorite broken-in jeans, and your trusty Converse. Your photos will be far more representative of you in your normal “wardrobe” than if you were in a brand new body-con dress that you felt self conscious in.
Ultimately, you want to be able to look back at your photos and remember the moments as they happened. Remember how in love you felt in that moment (and still do) and how much fun you had with your best friend (and photographer). The last thing you want is to look back and not recognize yourself.
02. Stay comfy
You know those really cute jeans that make your butt look great, but cut off circulation in your tummy or thighs? They might be great at first, but it won’t take long before you’re in pain and wishing the shoot was over with.
Like most photographers, movement in photos is key to creating effortless, candid photos. The magic and genuineness that movement brings to photos is unbeatable! With that being said, if your jeans are stiff and tight, or your jacket doesn’t exactly let you raise your arms more than a few inches, you’ll be more focused on how uncomfortable you are rather than being in the moment. Your photos will end up looking a little more static and a lot less natural.
Find clothes that let you move! I mean, you already know you want that classic piggy-back-ride shot, right?!
03. Consider the colors
10/10 times I recommend opting for neutral, earthy tones when picking out what to wear for engagement photos (and really any other session). Now, I am not a “beige girly” by any means; I love bright colors. So when I say neutral, I want you to be encouraged in knowing that I don’t just mean gray, beige, taupe, etc.
Opt for earth tones. What I mean by earth tones is try to dress to the colors of nature. Do you frequently see hot pink? No, you typically see muted shades of burgundy or maroon. Do you see neon yellow? No, you typically see moody mustard tones. Here are some “safe” colors:
Mustard yellow
Forest green
Navy blue
Burnt orange
Maroon
Mauve
Black
White
Chocolate brown
Not only do neutral colors ensure nobody gets distracted from your sexy selves, but it also ensures you don’t clash with the environment. Earthy neutrals will compliment the environment, rather than challenge it. Once you pick an engagement session location, your photographer will be able to give you further guidance on what color palette will look best.
04. What about Patterns?
As much as I love a good pattern (hello @ Patagonia 😅), when it comes to your engagement session, stick to tight, low contrast patterns. Big chunky patterns are distracting, so by keeping it subtle, you ensure that nothing distracts from you!
If you choose to wear a pattern for your engagement photos, your partner should wear solids! Too many patterns can be a bit of a no-no. Some exception to this would maybe be flannels — but consult with your photographer to ensure it won’t be 1) too matchy-matchy 2) doesn’t clash.
05. Bring Props!
Disclaimer: I don’t mean the cheesy chalk boards from your 2010s Pinterest “dream wedding” board (unless that’s your thing… it’s not mine 🫣). I mean anything that makes sense to you as a couple and will add meaning to your photos. For some couples, it might be a little blanket to snuggle up in, a cute picnic, some champagne to pop, a guitar, or even your dog (my personal fave). Anything that will add to your story, bring it!
Bonus Tips
Now that you’re set with the do’s and don’ts for your engagement session when it comes to your outfits, I’ve put together just a few more tips to make your session even more special.
Options, options, options! Most couples will do 2-3 outfits depending on their personalities or desired vibe. I would suggest doing at least 2 outfits; one dressy and one more casual. This adds variety to your photos and helps you express your styles, while still getting some “formal” photos for your mom to frame in her living room.
Throw in an activity! This is my tried-and-true tip for my couples. Just as you can bring props to your engagement session, you can also make the location a prop. Maybe you two love to go for a Saturday morning coffee; how cute would it be to wear your typical Saturday “uniform” and take your photos at your fave coffee shop!? Or maybe you met playing basketball in a co-ed league in college - head to the courts! The possibilities are endless and can help you narrow your outfit choices down even easier.
Choose a location that makes sense! Are you and your boo happiest lounging at home in sweats, sipping wine, and playing board games? Maybe it would make the most sense to do a cozy in-home engagement session. Are you more drawn to vintage, retro vibes? Heading to a museum or a record store could be such a vibe. Spend your evenings walking your pup around the lake? Let’s go!
Alright, friends, that’s all I’ve got for The Ultimate Engagement Session Style Guide! With each piece of advice or inspiration, I want to encourage you to remember this: your outfits should be a representation of you as a person + you as a couple. You deserve to feel confident + 100% you when giggling with your person in front of the camera. I also want to encourage you to consult with your own engagement photographer. Your photographer may have additional tips for you, offer location-specific inspiration, offer mood board creation via Pinterest, etc. (*ahem, you’ll get all of that and more by CLICKING HERE).
Searching for more wedding, engagement, and elopement tips? BINGE THE BLOG! Happy wedding planning, lovebirds.
