Bewildered and stumped about what to wear to your engagement photos? Well, you're not alone. It's a big decision - these sentimental images are going to be on your save the date cards, on the walls of your home, plastered all over your Facebook and decorating your wedding website and reception hall.
When you know you're going to be faced with your outfit choice for years to come, it really magnifies the importance of choosing clothing that is both 100% gorgeous and 100% you.
Before you tear your closet apart or spend a fortune shopping, consider these tried and true tips.
Think about the season.
You don't want to bundle up in your favorite boots and cozy sweater for a summer engagement session, right? Take advantage of the season you're in by styling a look that will be in tune with the weather and the location. If it's raining, wear your favorite rain boots. Adding winter or summer accessories will also help you to remember what the day felt like when you look back on your photos.
Wear clothes that make you feel like your most authentic self.
If you're a Converse kinda girl, now is not the time to pull out the 6-inch stilettos. If you aren't into dresses, don't wear one! Instead, try a pretty printed romper or jumpsuit. If your fiancé is into accessories, let him or her rock a trendy straw hat or colorful shades—simply put, you can't go wrong with pieces that channel your personal style. Try to look like yourself, just at your best. Wardrobe choices that are far outside your comfort level will make you feel awkward in photos.
Choose pastels, neutrals, and cool tones.
You want your faces and the love between you to be the most evident items in the photo. The least distracting and most timeless color choices are pastels, neutrals and cool tones. Make sure you select colors that complement your skin tone. Think about your environment as well - Shooting at the beach? Maybe avoid tans so you don't blend in too much with the landscape. Shooting in the forest? Make sure your greens are dark or light enough not to disappear like camouflage.
Add texture to your look.
Selecting a variety of fabrics for your engagement photo outfits will add interest to your look. The little details will go a long way in your shots. Think lace fabrics, tulle skirts, and patterned pieces. Pieces that move with you will be captured effortlessly in your photos. Don’t be afraid to play upon hemlines and striking details. Adding layers is also a great way to texturize and get the most mileage out of your outfit by transforming an outfit into multiple looks!
Show off your best assets.
Is there a body feature that you are particularly fond of? Your outfit can accentuate some of your best assets. Consider the fit of the clothes you might wear. Do you like more fitted or flowy pieces? These are great things to keep in mind. Wear clothing that flatters your body. Uncomfortable about something? Dress in a way that you feel confident in yourself!
Channel your wedding day vibes.
Don't let seasonality stop you when it comes to wearing white in your fall engagement photos. It's totally acceptable—and even super on trend—to wear white after Labor Day! While your engagement shoot doesn't have to feel overly bridal, a white blouse or dress is a sweet nod to your wedding dress. Consider playing with texture: Cotton-based fabrics like eyelet lace, crochet and Swiss dot all have dimension that shows up well on camera and gives your outfit an instant vintage twist. White is an excellent color for engagement sessions and foreshadows your “I, do’s.”
Don't match, but do wear complimenting colors and patterns.
When deciding how you and your partner will dress, look for complementary colors and solid prints. Try to stay away from anything too busy, as it can be an unnecessary distraction in photos. Complementing your partner's look is one thing, but matching outfits and patterned prints aren't ideal for portrait sessions. Instead, c hoose a few items that both of you can wear to complement each other. This will give your photos a cohesive feel with a similar color palette. Make sure you and your partner are on the same page when planning your outfits for the shoot. You wouldn’t want to show up in a summer dress while he’s wearing a suit and tie. The best way to see how well every piece will work together is to lay outfits out side by side. You can also create Pinterest boards with photos and inspiration when you begin your engagement outfit planning.
Keep it simple.
Don’t wear clothing with large patterns or logos. You’ll want you and your partner to be the focal point of these shots. Large patterns or logos will most likely distract from the two of you. Go barefoot, if the location and season allows for it. Keep in mind that styles come and go. You’re going to want to share these photos for a lifetime, and so you won’t want to pick your outfit revolving around a trend that is super stylish right now. Don’t stray too far from your regular routine; you still want to look like yourself. You want your day-to-day look to be enhanced in your engagement photos. When you take down your wedding album and get a glimpse of your engagement photos years down the road, you won’t want to think to yourself, “What in the world were we wearing?” Stick to classy and timeless pieces for your shoot.
Accessorize!
Picking minimal jewelry pieces to finish off your look will add a sophisticated feel to your photos without upstaging the ring. Oh, and don't forget the ring! Your shoes are also the perfect piece to help you show some pizazz. If you are going for photos with a neutral color palette, add a pop of color or fun pattern to your shoes. For a bolder couple, a stylish scarf or chunky necklace, can lend oomph to any engagement look. Plus, they're easy to slip on and off, which means you'll be able to style a variety of looks. Adding in at least one accessory per outfit for the ladies, and wearing layers of clothing for the guys, are two things that photograph well because it adds more visual interest to their looks and, as a result, to the images. Hats are always a fun statement piece, and for the fellas, you can't go wrong with some suspenders or fun dress socks.