Engagement photos are a special way to remember your engagement, and these pictures are often used as a keepsake for years to come. Many couples also choose to feature their engagement photographs on wedding invites and decorations for weddings. For all these reasons, choosing the perfect outfit to wear for your engagement photos can be a nerve-wracking activity.
Fortunately, our article is here to give you engagement photo outfit ideas and tips to ensure your pictures are something you love for years to come.
Should I Be Dressing Up for My Engagement Photo Shoot?
Dressing up for your engagement photo shoot will often hold different meanings to different people. Dressing up could mean putting on a formal gown, or it could mean that you wear a new, coordinated outfit.
In general, you will want to ensure you look presentable and comfortable in your engagement photos. These pictures will be used as keepsakes for years to come, so it’s important to make an effort to ensure you feel and look your best in the pictures.
You don’t want to show up for your engagement photo shoot wearing yesterday’s torn jeans and a stained t-shirt; most of the time, outfits like these don’t make for flattering photographs. However, your personal style is an important part of your engagement photos, so if t-shirts and jeans are your chosen outfit, make sure they are clean, pressed, and presentable.
Tips for Picking Your Engagement Photo Outfit
The following tips will help you pick your engagement photo outfits and help you narrow down your ideas on what to wear.
Dress for Comfort
Dressing for comfort is one of the very best tips you can follow when it comes to picking your engagement photo shoot outfit. You will want to wear something that makes you feel comfortable. Clothing you aren’t used to, outfits that aren’t your usual style, and clothing that is too small or too large will take away from the focus of the pictures – you and your partner.
When choosing an outfit, make sure that you try it on a few times and practice a few different poses in it. You will want to be comfortable moving around in your outfit and you will want to make sure that you aren’t at risk of a wardrobe malfunction.
When choosing between a few outfits, always select the one that makes you feel your best, as this vibe will be obvious in your engagement photographs.
Select Outfit Options
Typically, you will have time for two different outfits during your engagement photo shoot – check with your photographer for more details on this. You will generally want to have a more casual outfit and a more formal one, so both sets of engagement pictures have slightly different vibes.
Keeping this in mind, make sure you have a few different options of favorite outfits to bring to your engagement photo shoot. Then, you’ll be prepared to change locations and dress accordingly for the vibe you want your photographs to portray.
Coordinate Colors and Patterns
Coordinating colors and patterns with your partner is a great way to give your engagement photo outfits a theme and make sure that your outfits don’t clash. It’s important to stay away from patterns that are too bright or vivid, as these may take away from you and your partner in the photographs; they may also clash with your background.
Choose colors and muted patterns that blend well with your surroundings and the overall vibe of the pictures you want to convey. For example, if you want pictures that are more formal, a dark red, black, or white dress and a dark suit might be a great way to create a classy, partnered look.
Dress to Flatter Your Features
Every individual knows what works best for them outfit-wise, and it’s essential to keep these features in mind when selecting your engagement photo outfit.
For instance, you may love the way your hair looks with certain colors, or you might like the way a certain color matches your skin tone. Always dress to flatter your features and make sure that the clothing you pick is the right size for your body, as this will help you look your best and feel the most confident, which is a recipe for great photographs.
However, keep in mind that it may be best to avoid outfits that are overly revealing, as these typically don’t make for a classic or timeless outfit in your engagement photos. You should try and flatter your features without being too risqué.
Consider Your Background and Season
As you start thinking about your engagement photo outfit, consider your background setting and the season when you are having your pictures taken. Bright, outdoorsy backgrounds with lots of green may call for bright white colors or other colors that stand out from the background, while a muted background allows for brighter clothing colors.
Make sure that you are wearing season-appropriate clothing in your pictures too, as a snowy backdrop where you are wearing summer clothes will make your pictures look out of place.
If you are concerned about your background having an effect on your engagement photos or outfit, you can check for yourself to rest assured. Take some time to scout out the place and take a few practice pictures with your chosen outfit to see what you like best.
Don’t Be Afraid of Accessories
While some people say that any accessory except for your engagement ring should be avoided in an engagement photo shoot, this isn’t always the case.
A few accessories to your outfit like a belt, hat, or some extra jewelry can help give your outfit a personal touch and make your engagement photos even more of a tribute to you and your partner. Just make sure not to overdo it and weigh down your outfit with accessories, as this can be too busy for your photos.
Avoid Fashion Statements and Trends
Making a fashion statement like trying new haute couture or following the latest social media fashion trend for your engagement pictures can make your outfits feel dated later on.
You should aim to choose timeless outfits and classic styles that will help your pictures be memorable for years to come. The exception is if you want to pick a very particular style that showcases who you are, like a 20s theme or Western outfits.
Popular Engagement Photo Outfit Ideas
The engagement photo outfit ideas are popular choices. You can review these options to help gather your thoughts on what to wear for your own engagement photo shoot.
Engagement photo dress ideas:
- A white dress, either long or short
- A summer dress
- A long formal gown, if you’re creating a more upscale vibe
- Beachy clothing
- A long-sleeved winter dress and boots
Engagement photo outfit ideas:
- Jeans and a blouse or button-down shirt
- Leggings and a sweater
- A tailored suit in a color that complements your partner’s outfit
- Dress pants and a collared shirt
- Tuxedo, if you’re going for a formal look
Always consult with your partner about your engagement photo outfits to make sure all of your outfit choices complement each other and result in the best set of pictures possible.
Engagement Photo FAQs
Engagement photos often create lots of worries. We give you answers to frequently asked questions about engagement photos so you can put your concerns to rest.
Should I Get Professional Hair and Makeup for My Engagement Photos?
Many individuals opt for professional hair and makeup for their engagement photos, as doing so helps them ensure they look their best and frees up their time to focus on other things. Ultimately, the choice to invest in professional hair and makeup is a personal one, and you should only do this if it makes you feel more comfortable and happier during your photo shoot.
Where Do I Find a Photographer?
Engagement photographers and wedding photographers typically have their own websites, or they may post listings for themselves through wedding vendors or wedding websites.
Sometimes, when you hire a wedding photographer, they will also help you with your engagement pictures for an added fee. Browse the availability of photographers in your area to find someone to take your engagement pictures in a price range that works for you.
How Do I Pose in My Engagement Photos?
Figuring out how to pose in your engagement photos can feel tricky, especially if you aren’t used to having your picture taken.
If you’re feeling a little awkward or nervous, don’t be afraid to practice with your partner ahead of your photo shoot date. Take the time to relax and enjoy the moment with your partner during your actual photo shoot, and your photographer will be sure to capture excellent photos of the both of you.
Where Do I Shop for Engagement Photo Outfits?
Shopping for engagement photo outfits can be another stressor, but, fortunately, the internet makes this process easier today.
We suggest looking for your engagement photo outfit via an online website, and you can browse our collections at Sherri Hill for ideas on dresses to purchase. Local thrift stores and boutiques may also hold excellent options for your engagement photos.
If you buy a new outfit for your engagement photos, make sure that you’re comfortable in it and that it fits ahead of time. This will prevent last-minute wardrobe issues and problems with your engagement photo outfit on the day of your photo shoot.
Do I Need to Wear a Dress in My Engagement Photos?
You don’t necessarily need to wear a dress in your engagement photos, though many individuals choose to do so. Only wear an outfit or a set of outfits that makes you feel your most comfortable, as this will ensure you feel and look your best while taking pictures with your partner.
Making Your Engagement Photos Memorable
Taking engagement photos can make anyone anxious, as these pictures are often used for displays during weddings and keepsakes for years to come.
It’s important to take your time when selecting your engagement photo outfit to ensure that you are comfortable wearing it, that it fits properly, and that you feel your best. Keep our tips in mind for choosing your engagement outfit, and you are sure to make your engagement photos memorable for years to come.