Ok, let’s talk engagement photo outfits! This is probably the number one question I get around engagement photos and it’s a super important one! I know a lot of couples struggle with picking engagement photo outfits. It can be really challenging, especially if you don’t know what photographs well and what doesn’t. Don’t feel bad if you fall into that category, most people do! So I’ve put together this blog post with all my favorite tips for picking the best engagement photo outfits!

TIPS FOR HER

My first piece of advice is always to dress it up a little bit! This is a special occasion! How many times in your life do you get to do engagement photos? Heck, you’re not even engaged for that long, usually only a year or so and then you’re married. So why not celebrate it?! Go big! Have you always dreamed about wearing a sequined dress, but never had an occasion to wear it? Now’s the time! Do you love tulle skirts? Flower crowns? How about a gorgeous lace gown? Go for it! There’s not such thing as “too dressed up” for you engagement photos!

If you don’t already own something like this and don’t want to purchase a piece that you might never wear again, Rent the Runway is a great option for you! They have a huge selection and great prices, and you just ship the dress back when you’re done! Easy peasy!

Ladies, the most flattering thing you can wear for photos is a dress. They look good on camera, pretty much no matter what. Long, flowy skirts add movement and a little extra romance to your photos. A cute short dress is a great way to add a flirty vibe to your session! Dresses really are the best way to compliment your figure. I recommend avoiding pants or jeans for your engagement photos and  rocking a dress, or two!

I always recommend bringing 2 outfits to your engagement session, like one show-stopper dress and then another more casual dress to add a little variety. If finding two outfits is too stressful for you, that’s ok, too! Give yourself permission to just rock your show-stopper dress! They look amazing on camera and you’ll love looking like a movie star for the night!

For shoes, you can almost never go wrong with heels. They photograph great and will make your legs look amazing! I only caution against it if the heels will make you almost or as tall as your man. Height difference is a good thing, so if this is the case for you, either choose a shorter heel, or stick with the cute flats!

TIPS FOR HIM

Now, for the gentlemen, there’s nothing that looks better on a man than a well-tailored suit. Solid shades like gray and navy will compliment just about any color you choose to wear. I recommend avoiding pinstripes or plaid because they can be distracting and don’t always photograph well. Don’t be afraid to have your guy mix up his fashion too! Ditch the jacket and tie for half your session for a more casual look. Forego the jacket altogether and wear a v-neck sweater with a collared shirt underneath. Match his tie or pocket square to your outfit to tie it all together!

And don’t forget about the shoes! They’ll be in your photos too, and can really take away from an outfit if not matched properly. Guys, leave your old, comfy sneakers at home. They may be what you wear everyday, but they’ll look out of place in your engagement photos. Bust out the dress shoes, or a nice pair of boat shoes to class it up.

TIPS FOR BOTH

Some things I recommend avoiding for both of you are logos and distracting patterns. Logos will distract from the subject of the photo (you).  Patterns with fine lines or that are too busy and distracting don’t usually photograph well. Not all, but tread carefully there. If you’re not sure, just ask!

Choose coordinating colors, not matching. Pick a couple colors that coordinate well together, and build your outfits off of those. Add a pop of a third coordinating color with your jewelry, shoes, a tie, or scarf. Choose your colors based on the location your shoot will be in. If we’re doing your photos in a park or the mountains with lots of green trees and grass you’ll blend into the background if you wear green too. Choose a color like coral, blue or red that will compliment the green. In the city, choose a bright color like blue or pink to stand out against the city. And if all else fails, you can never go wrong with neutrals, like cream, gray, or black.

Want to see more Engagement Photo Outfits ideas? Check out my engagement photo gallery here!