So you’re engaged… AMAZING! You have found a photographer… Also AMAZING! Now it is time for your engagement session. But what on earth should I wear?! A bunch of brides come to me with a certain look they have in mind and who am I to change that! If you have a certain vision for your engagement session, then I applaud you and can’t wait to capture your style. However, not everyone is born with this innate vision of an engagement look. I get heaps of brides and grooms asking, ‘What should we wear?’ Here are some general guidelines to follow for your engagement shoot:

1. MEN SHOULD DRESS TO IMPRESS

Men tend to look more masculine in closed toe shoes and well fitted pants. He should also be well groomed (man buns are welcomed but slightly manicured is never a bad thing!). A button down shirt with a collar tends to compliment your partner and it is up to you whether it should remain tucked, or untucked! A jacket and/or tie is optional but encouraged depending on the season or location.

2. LADIES SHOULD AIM FOR FEMININE, YET COMFORTABLE

Some engagement session last for 1 to 2 hours. Ladies should feel comfortable and wear an ensemble that feels good on their bodies. There will be head to toe images taken so think about the entire outfit. You always want to avoid too short or too tight! That cannot be fixed in photoshop. Maxi dresses are my favorite because they have the most movement and emulate a wedding dress.

Women tend to look more feminine in well fitted dresses and skirts. Furthermore, legs tend to look longer and leaner in heels; however, there does tend to be some walking involved in these shoots so bring a change of shoes! Clean, dry hair and makeup is also a must! I talk about an ensemble change further down the list. Lastly, don’t forget to clean you ring!

3. DRESS TO COMPLIMENT ONE ANOTHER

As a couple, you should avoid being too ‘matchy, matchy’ but try to have a color scheme that you are aiming for. Photographs tend to look cleaner with less patterns; for example, if he is wearing gingham or plaid, maybe opt for a solid color dress. When planning your outfits, lay them out on the bed or try them on the night before to see what they look like next to each other.

4. PASTEL COLORS PHOTOGRAPH BEST BUT KEEP LOCATION COLORS & SEASON IN MIND

Softer colors tend to photograph best and are more forgiving on skin tones. Instead of going for the bright red dress, consider a soft pink. If you’re shooting in summer, sweat does not show on these colors as easily and they then to be more sliming. You can also think about which colors tend to look best on you and go from there.

When planning your ensemble, you should also consider location. Is it formal? Is there a ton of green? Are there a lot of patterns and ornate decorations in the setting? You want to stand out from the background of your photos.

5. A CHANGE OF CLOTHING IS OPTIONAL

Most couples I photograph bring 2 outfit options: one formal and one casual. We always start shooting the formal look first and then change in to the more comfortable option. Sometimes, only the bride to be does an ensemble change and brings an extra shirt or jacket for the groom to change up his look.

here you have it folks! Those are all of my rules for e-session attire! I hope these top 5 tips for what to wear to an engagement session were helpful! My last tip would be to just remember to have fun! The whole point of an engagement shoot is to get comfortable in front of the camera so you can feel like pros on your weddings day!