An engagement photoshoot is a great way to set the stage for your upcoming wedding. But now comes the important question of what to wear for engagement photos. In this article, I want to tell you all the do’s and don’ts, so you know what to wear for engagement photos and you’re set up for a fun session.

Let’s get started!

Do Choose Cool Colors, Neutral Tones, and Pastels

Certain colors you want to avoid entirely to ensure you don’t regret some of the decisions later on. Sticking with more neutral colors, cool colors, and pastels means you’re more likely to end up with timeless shots. Oranges and neon colors are a little more aggressive, which we photographers tend not to recommend.

A great example of cool colors and neutral tones is an engagement photoshoot I did for Chelsea and Chris in Austin; check it out!

Don’t Wear Clothes That Go Against You & Your Character

If you want to know what to wear for engagement photos, you need to consider what you shouldn’t be wearing. Don’t dress up in clothes you don’t feel comfortable in and don’t suit your character. It can come across in pictures that it’s simply not you and has the potential to ruin the photos and the experience.

I know I just said not to wear neon... but if neutral colors just aren’t ‘you’, ignore my advice! Instead, stick to what you know and try to look as good as possible while feeling comfortable. 

Do Complement Each Other Outfits

Building on the advice of not wearing clothes that make you uncomfortable, you should focus on complementing one another's outfits. Of course, how you do this is entirely up to you. Still, it’s best to find some complementary colors or elements that might tie your outfits together. You don’t have to be all matchy-matchy, but you do want to pick outfits that don’t clash.

A great example is a couple’s photoshoots I did in Austin for Eden and Nate; check it out!

Don’t Match Each Others Outfits

As much as you want to complement your outfits, the last thing you want is to match each other's outfits. It can be incredibly distracting and, in a sense, corny- not in a cute way!

So don’t think matching 100% is the way to go when questioning what to wear for engagement photos. It never translates the way you’d hope.

Do Incorporate An Accessory or Two

When it comes to accessories, you want to be careful. While a lovely scarf or some tasteful jewelry can look extremely nice and make engagement photos pop, there’s a limit. It can go from classy to overkill very quickly. 

Ensure the accessories you choose to complement the outfit but don’t detract from it. Guys can approach this with a watch or maybe slightly layer their clothing. These can look great in pictures. 

Do Work According To a Color Scheme

You’ve likely contemplated color schemes for your wedding, and while you don’t have to work according to them, they can be a great place to start. So look into what you’ve decided to do for your wedding in terms of colors and expand on that. Otherwise, you can come up with a color scheme for your engagement photos that’s completely separate from the wedding.

Start by seeing if you have anything already, and if you come up short, hit the store! You never need an excuse to shop, but this is a great one to have. You’ll easily be able to find what to wear for engagement photos and fine-tune it all in one day.

Don’t Forget To Consider Your Wedding Theme

On top of planning what to wear for engagement photos according to a color scheme, you can also build ideas from your wedding theme. Don’t neglect the wedding theme you’ve picked out, as it can be a great way to foreshadow what’s about to come from a magical ceremony down the line. 

Do Have Multiple Outfit Options In Case

This is one of the most important tips to remember, and that’s to have multiple outfits for the shoot. Why? Because sometimes, no matter how hard we try, an outfit just doesn’t pan out the way we’d hope. Also, accidents happen. The last thing you want is to be caught mid-shoot with a bad or ruined outfit. So when wondering what to wear for engagement photos, think about more than just one outfit for both you and your partner. 

A great example of having multiple outfits for a shoot happened when I did engagement photos for Caitlin and Brett. They looked amazing in their outfit choices, and it really made it even more special.

Don’t Go Trendy: Go Classy Instead

Trendy seems like an awesome idea at the time, but you’ll realize far too late that it’s anything but a good idea! A trendy outfit is only trendy for so long, and if you’re like everyone else, you’ll know what it’s like to look back on trends you once supported in horror. So don’t let a trend be memorialized in your engagement photos! Instead, go simple and classy. 

Do Consider The Season

The season you’re currently experiencing should also play a role in what you decide to wear for your engagement photos. Some outfit choices simply aren’t going to work in certain seasons. A perfect example of taking the season into account is an engagement photoshoot I did for Julia and Patrick; check it out!

Don’t Forget To Consider Where You’re Taking The Photos

Finally, the location. Where you take the pictures has to be a part of your decision-making process. How you dress in certain environments is different.

You’re dealing with possible locations in the mountains, forest, desert, or just simply downtown. This will influence different outfit decisions, so be sure to pick outfits that will fit in with the environment and make it easy to get comfortable there.

Conclusion

Now you know the do’s and don’ts when it comes to what to wear for engagement photos! All you need is an amazing photographer to ensure you’ve got some stunning photos to show your friends and family.

My name’s Nikk Nguyen, and I’m an Austin, Texas, photographer ready to shoot your engagement photos, wedding photos, and just about any photos you need! So check out my portfolio and get in touch so we can make a memory that lasts forever.

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