Are you planning your engagement photos and wondering what to wear? Sometimes it can be overwhelming when trying to come up with 2 or 3 outfits for not just you, but your fiancé as well! Today, I'm going to share some tips about dressing for your engagement photos—with some examples from my past couples! (And I might just throw in a few things I'd love to see on my brides and grooms this summer during engagement portraits! I love styling, and most likely your photographer does as well, so always feel free to ask for advice or feedback before a session!)
1. Do dress up! This is one time where you can get as fancy as you want, and have good photos to prove it! ;) Go big or go home, right? Plus, most of my couples have at least two outfits (sometimes three!) to wear for their engagement session. Bring a formal outfit, and then something a little more casual or even everyday—I can guarantee it'll add some confidence to be dressed up and looking good! Ladies, consider a longer (formal or not!) dress for one of your outfits. They're classy, elegant, and look good on anyone. Plus for us shorter gals, they make us look a little taller. ;) Pair them with an awesome pair of heels or wedges & bam! You'll look amazing!
BONUS! I'd LOVE to see one of my brides wear this for an epic engagement shoot this summer! Click on the image—it's from Lulu's and would be a stunning buy!
2. Do accessorize! I love when gals incorporate a favorite scarf, hat, blazer, or statement necklace! It just adds a fun "pop" of color & fun! For guys, watches, ties, suspenders, hats, or even vests or blazers (we'll get to that in a minute!) are some great ideas.
(Above, Brittney did a great job of wearing bright sandals, a complementary cardigan, & simple but standout necklace! You could modify this even more, and the guy could wear a patterned shirt to add even more style.)
BONUS IDEA: incorporate a blanket, or other fun prop! This neutral-toned blanket was perfect for warm snuggles.
3. Don't try to match…but do complement with your outfits! You can tie in the same colors with various prints and accessories…or you can choose complementing colors and prints. Also, neutral colors are "in" right now (minimal and all that) which I personally like wearing (espeically in the winter)—but if you pick neutral/dark colors for one outfit, maybe pick something with fun color for your second!
(Above, Rachel and Nick's outfits are some of my favorites—and this was a few years ago! The vibrant colors and mixed patterns they chose were so fun and played well off of each other.)
Note: Be careful with really thin stripes or checks. They sometimes photograph weird! Lauren's shirt was just fine, and I also highly suggest pairing patterns (like plaid, floral, or polka-dots) with solids or other prints for added texture (instead of just wearing plain t-shirts)!
4. Utilize layers! Especially if you're shooting in the early morning (when it can be cool), a jacket, blazer, vest, or even a flannel can be just the thing. I've yet to have one of my grooms wearing a blazer, but I've seen it done & it can bring a whole new level of class! (Maybe that will change this summer...)
5. Be YOU! Pull in pieces that photograph well, but also reflect your personality, fashion sense, and interests! Make sure to wear clothing that makes you feel confident. So, don't wear a strapless dress if they make you feel uncomfortable! Also, know what flatters your body type and coloring. If you're a redhead, probably don't wear pink. If you're like me, I know that my skin tone is more yellow than pink & bright yellow is just a weird color for me. Also, in general, more fitted clothing is more flattering!
That's it for now! What did you find helpful? What questions do you still have?! I would LOVE to hear your thoughts/questions in the comments—leave one below! And for you families and seniors, I'll be posting a similar blog post in the near future!
With love,
Amelia