What to Wear to Your Engagement Photos
So, you booked your engagement session! Now comes the next big question. What the heck are you supposed to wear?
If you've spent any time on Pinterest looking at engagement photos, you've probably noticed a trend. The bride-to-be is wearing a white dress, the groom is wearing a neutral shirt and somehow they both look like they walked straight out of a magazine. Cute, right? But what if you hate white? Or you want your photos to look like you instead of copying the same outfits you've seen a hundred times?
Don't worry. You have options! As a Michigan engagement photographer, I want you to feel comfortable in what you're wearing while still looking your best in your photos. You don't need to buy an entirely new wardrobe for your session. A little planning can go a long way.
1. Coordinate, don't match
Let's start with one of my biggest outfit tips. You want your outfits to complement each other, not look like you bought matching shirts for a family reunion.
Instead of wearing the exact same color, choose shades that work well together. If one person wears a patterned or textured piece, the other can wear something more simple. You want your outfits to look intentional without competing for attention.
Neutrals, earthy tones and pastels are great starting points. Think beige, taupe, grey, black, sage, khaki, dusty rose or soft blue. You can also use your wedding colors as inspiration, which brings me to my next tip!
2. Use your wedding colors for inspiration
If you've already picked your wedding colors, why not incorporate them into your engagement photos? This is a fun way to tie your photos into your wedding without making everything look overly coordinated.
My husband and I actually did this for our own engagement photos. Our bridesmaids were wearing Juniper, so we wore green for one outfit. Our groomsmen were wearing navy, so we went with black and blue for our other outfit. It gave us two different looks that still connected to our wedding.
You don't have to wear your exact wedding colors from head to toe, either. You can pull one color from your palette or choose a complementary shade. If your wedding colors are burgundy and champagne, for example, you could wear burgundy while your partner wears cream or beige.
Already know your wedding colors? This is an easy way to make your engagement photos feel a little more personal.
3. I hate white. What should I wear instead?
First of all, you do not have to wear white to your engagement photos! I know it's a popular choice for brides-to-be, but there is no rule saying you have to wear a white dress just because you're engaged.
If you want something that still feels bridal, try cream, ivory, champagne or blush. These colors have that soft, romantic look without being bright white. Sage green is another favorite, especially for outdoor sessions, and it can look beautiful if you're planning to incorporate greenery into your wedding.
You can also go with something bolder! Forest green, rust, rose, navy or even black can look amazing in engagement photos. The best choice depends on your personal style, your location and the overall look you want for your gallery.
Want that bridal look without the white outfit? This is where accessories and props can help! A white bow, a bride sash or another bridal-themed accessory can give your photos that engaged-and-celebrating feel without requiring you to wear a white dress. You could wear a color you love and still have a few photos that clearly celebrate this season of your life.
I have a whole article with ideas for adding personality to your session, including bridal props. Check out Fun Props to Bring to Your Engagement Photos for more ideas!
4. Dress up a little
Engagement photos are a great excuse to wear something a little nicer than your everyday outfit. You don't need to show up in a ball gown or a three-piece suit, but choosing clothes that feel polished can make a difference in your photos.
For example, a flowy dress, a nice blouse with trousers or a button-down shirt with clean, dark jeans can all work well. You can also bring a blazer or leather jacket if that fits your style. Layers are a great way to add some variety without completely changing your outfit.
I also recommend avoiding clothing that is very short or restrictive. If you're constantly tugging at a hemline or worrying about whether you can sit down comfortably, it's going to be harder to relax in front of the camera. Wear something that lets you move, sit, walk and hug your partner without feeling like you're fighting your clothes the entire time.
5. Bring two outfits if you want variety
I usually recommend planning one dressier outfit and one casual outfit if your session allows enough time. This gives you two different looks in your final gallery without making the session feel like a full fashion show.
For the dressier outfit, you could wear a dress, a nice jumpsuit or a button-down with dress pants. For the casual outfit, try a sweater with jeans, a simple top with khaki pants or something else you'd wear on a nice date together.
You can also change the vibe with a jacket or another layer instead of changing everything. A blazer, cardigan or leather jacket can make an outfit feel different without taking up too much time during your session.
If you aren't sure what to bring, send me a photo of your outfit options! I'd much rather help you decide ahead of time than have you stress about it the day of your engagement session.
6. Keep patterns, logos and neon to a minimum
You don't have to wear plain beige from head to toe, but I do recommend avoiding large, busy patterns. Plaid, stripes and large florals can compete with your faces and become distracting in photos, especially when both people are wearing different patterns.
Large logos and neon colors are also things I'd leave at home. They tend to draw attention away from you and your partner, which is the opposite of what we want.
Solid colors are an easy way to keep things simple. If you love patterns, you can still incorporate a subtle one into an outfit, but try to keep the rest of your look fairly neutral so everything works together.
7. Dress for the weather and location
Michigan weather loves to keep us guessing, so please check the forecast before your session! If it's chilly, bring a coat or a warm layer you can throw on between photos. Extra socks are never a bad idea, especially if we're shooting outdoors in the fall or winter.
You can also use the weather to your advantage. A cozy sweater looks great for a fall session, while lighter fabrics and softer colors can work beautifully in the spring and summer. If we're shooting near water or in a field, think about whether your outfit makes sense for the location.
And please don't forget that we'll probably be walking around! If you want to wear heels or dressier shoes, go for it, but consider bringing comfortable shoes for getting from one spot to another. The best shoes for your session depend on the location and the style you're going for. Heels might be perfect for an urban session, while boots or flats may be much easier for a nature trail.
8. Try everything on before your session
This might sound obvious, but please don't wait until the morning of your engagement session to try on your outfits. Pick them out a few days ahead of time and make sure everything fits the way you expect.
Sit down, walk around, raise your arms and make sure you can move comfortably. Check that your pants aren't too long, your dress isn't constantly riding up and your shirt doesn't wrinkle in a way that bothers you. Give everything a quick iron or steam if needed.
A little preparation can save you a lot of stress on the day of your session. If you need a haircut or want to try a new nail design, I recommend doing that a couple of weeks ahead of time rather than experimenting the day before.
One more thing: wear your usual glasses or contact lenses if that's what you're comfortable in. If you wear glasses, be mindful of transition lenses that darken outside, since they can hide your eyes in photos.
9. Don't forget the little details
Your outfits are more than just the clothes themselves. Shoes, jewelry, belts and other accessories can pull everything together, so give those a little thought, too.
You don't need to go overboard. A few simple accessories can be enough, especially if your outfits already have a lot going on. If you're bringing a jacket or another layer, make sure it works with the rest of your look rather than feeling like something you grabbed at the last minute.
And if you want to include something fun or meaningful, like a personalized item or a bridal accessory, check out my engagement photo prop ideas. Props can add a little extra personality to your photos and help make the session feel like yours.
10. The most important thing? Feel like yourselves
At the end of the day, I want you to look at your engagement photos and recognize yourselves. You don't need to buy expensive outfits or wear something completely outside your comfort zone just because you saw it on Pinterest.
Choose colors you love, coordinate your outfits and plan ahead so you aren't scrambling at the last minute. If you feel good in what you're wearing, that confidence is going to show in your photos.
And remember, your engagement session is a chance to celebrate the two of you! Whether you're wearing a white dress, a green jumpsuit, jeans and a sweater or something totally different, I want you to have fun with it.
Need help planning your engagement session?
Hi, I'm Brooke! I'm the photographer behind Be Photographed, a Lansing-based wedding and engagement photographer serving couples throughout Michigan. I love helping couples feel comfortable in front of the camera, whether we're taking engagement photos, planning a surprise proposal or documenting your wedding day.
If you're recently engaged and looking for an engagement photographer in Michigan, I'd love to hear what you're planning! We can talk locations, outfit ideas and how to make your session feel like you.
Ready to plan your engagement photos? Visit Be Photographed to learn more and get in touch!
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