How To Put Together a Rockin' Outfit for Your Engagement Session!

Ahh yes, engagement sessions! If you’re reading this, there’s a pretty high chance that you’re engaged or hoping to be soon, so CONGRATS! Being engaged is one of the few times in your life when you can celebrate your love for each other on more than one occasion and one of those times is through your engagement photos. Not everyone is a fan of having their photo taken so it’s understandable that you’ll want to do research on things like what to wear, what to bring, and how to conduct yourself in general.

As a photographer, I’ve had many a couple pose to me the question: “What should I wear?” and let me tell ya, the answer to that is whatever makes you feel comfortable honey! But you might be looking for a bit more of a detailed response than that so let’s get you some ideas on what to wear and how to put together a rockin’ outfit for you and your boo for your engagement session!

A huge thank you to these photographers for contributing their beautiful images to this post:
Candice Marie Photography
Danika Lee Photography
Tallya D. Photography
Sydney Aleisha Photography
THIS IS IT Studios
Aileen Choi Photo
The MacLeans - Wedding Photography & Videography

1. Comfort, Comfort, Comfort!

You know how the three most important things in real estate are location, location, location? Well I’d say one of the most important things in an engagement session outfit is comfort! Choose items that will keep you comfortable as you might be moving a lot during your session. Clothes that make you feel comfortable also help to put you at ease and help you let loose and enjoy your session. When you feel comfortable in what you are wearing, it shows through in your mood and your images!

2. Prepare for the weather!

This one might go without saying, but try to keep in mind what type of climate you are heading into for your session. I’m all for wearing gorgeous pieces but maybe those high heels aren’t the best option if you’re headed up a mountain or onto a sandy beach. If there are specific items you’re wanting to incorporate into your photos like that perfect pair of heels, consider bringing some more practical shoes and asking your photographer when they think is the best time to rock those fancy kicks! At certain times of the session, your photographer may choose to focus on your facial features or close ups of you two so maximize your accessories by asking when they are able to showcase your fancy kicks in their workflow!

Additionally, it’s a good idea to be prepared with layers of warmth to your outfit in the colder months and climates, that way you have options to layer up if you are feeling cold, or layer down for a few shots to show off more of that outfit.

3. Consider your backdrop

Something to think about as you’re choosing your outfit is the location that you are going to be using for your session. If you’re having your session at a greenhouse, will you blend into the gardens with that floral tunic? If you’re headed up the mountain for some snowy weather, why not pick a bright colour and stand out in your photos? On the other hand, you could choose pieces that reflect your location and blend into your surrounding for a more understated look. It’s all up to how you want to be seen in relation to your partner and your environment!

4. Complement your partner

What a better way to say that you’re a beautiful match for each other than beautifully matching your outfits? And before you even think of matching color for color and pattern for pattern with your fiancé, stop right there ‘cause that is not what I mean! I’m talking picking gorgeous complementary colours like grey for one person and blue for the other, or red for one person and black for the other. Some examples of this would be a nice grey dress shirt over some khaki pants for your partner and a deep blue dress for you or a bright red romper for you and a sleek black outfit for your partner! Pick colours that bring together a cohesive look and you two will be sure to shine at your session.

5. Be yourself

I always tell my clients that whenever they are feeling most comfortable and at ease, that’s when the best images happen! So how do we get you feeling comfortable and at ease? Part of that is done by making sure your outfit shines your own style and no one else’s. While I definitely encouraging dressing up and choosing pieces that you might not normally wear, it’s important that your personality still shines through and you’re feeling comfortably yourself in what you are wearing!

6. Dress it up a notch!

How often do you have the chance to dedicate an hour or two to document the special bond that you and your fiancé has developed? I would say engagement photos are one of the only times most people get to do that! So while you might have a go-to date night outfit that’s tried and true, don’t be so quick to dismiss this session as an opportunity to go for a bolder and more unique looks that you’ve always wanted to try!

7. Bring two outfits

Now that you’ve got a couple ideas for your outfits, which one do you choose? Are you going to go with the everyday casual wear that make you feel most like yourself or are you going to try out that bold look for this special event? Well, I say why not both? Depending on the amount of time allotted for your session, it’s very possible that you can discuss with your photographer if you can incorporate more than one outfit! Often times, I’ll suggest to my couples to bring two outfits: one casual set and one formal set. This variety can help to elevate the session by showcasing multiple sides to your relationship and style.

Thanks for reading this how-to guide on what to wear for your engagement session! I hope that it helped in giving you some ideas for your outfits. Outfits aside, the most important thing by far to consider when you going to have an engagement session is that you are both feeling well-fed and feeling ready to go into it with an open mind! So go on, pick your rockin’ outfit and have an awesome engagement session!

How To Put Together a Rockin' Outfit for Your Engagement Session!

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