What to Wear for Engagement Photos
We all know the idea that brides have of finding “the One” – no, not the fiancé, the wedding dress! Of course we have Say Yes to the Dress and so many bridal stores with hundreds of options. But no one talks about what to wear for engagement photos! So today, here are a handful of tips to help you look your best for your session before the wedding!
Complement Each Other
1992 was a long time ago, and we are well past the trend of wearing jeans and matching white t-shirts (thank God!). When picking outfits, you want to keep in mind your goal is to “complement” rather than “match” each other. For example, if one of you is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, the other may want to choose a long, soft blue dress. It can also be a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones. I love the subtle matching here that Matt and Samantha did, with the green of her sweater pulling out the plaid in his shirt! (Not to mention it looks fabulous with her complexion!)
Wear What You Love
This is a great excuse to go out and buy some new outfits. But it’s not a great time to experiment with a new look entirely. You want the photos to reflect the two of you, and not that influencer couple you saw on TikTok. It’s also important you wear something you feel comfortable and confident in! If you spend the session tugging at your dress to make it fit the right way, you’re going to see the doubt on your face. A lot of my photos involve getting the two of you to interact with each other, so if you’re focused on the way your clothes fit, we won’t be able to get the super lovey, glowy, laughing shots I love so very much!
Mix Up the Vibe With Accessories
I usually advise my couples to prepare two outfits. It’s a good idea to have one be a little dressy and one be more casual. Don’t forget to bring a few accessories! Statement necklaces, cute shoes and classic watches are great ways to add detail and completely change the feel of the outfit! One of my favorite examples is of Mandy and Dylan’s outfits below. She started off with a denim jacket, but later took it off for a more elegant look. He complemented her by adding a suit jacket for the dressier feel! Adding a colorful tie would have also brought it to another level, with only making minor changes!
Plaids? Polka-dots? Florals?
There are a lot of opinions on wearing patterns in photos. My personal preference, if you are going to choose a patterned outfit, is to go with something smaller as opposed to bold or a graphic logo. These tend to be a bit more subtle than a large pattern, and it doesn’t fight with your beautiful faces! Honestly though, as long as you aren’t wearing lime-green with a big Nike logo, if you feel comfortable in it, it can still totally work! Ashlee’s romper here had a large and bright floral pattern, but Bill’s simple polo balanced it out quite well!
Dress for the Occasion
…and I don’t mean the wedding occasion. I mean take your cues from the season and your session location! If you’re on the beach, wearing a cocktail dress and suit is going to seem really out of place, just like a tank top in December! Are you having a spring session in a garden? Go for soft pastels or neutrals. If it’s summer, go bold with color! Of course Michigan has the most gorgeous falls, so layering up with vests and scarves fits in perfectly with the falling leaves!
If you Google search “what to wear for engagement photos” you’re going to get a ton of results, all with differing opinions. Pinterest can have too many suggestions. At the end of the day, the best tip is to just wear something that you feel comfortable and like yourself in! Even if it’s a paper bag, the smile I’ll get out of the two of you will make it look like it was designed by Versace. If you found these tips helpful, make sure you follow Jessie Silva on Facebook and Instagram for more!
