what to wear for your Engagement Session
Stumped on what to wear for your engagement photos? You're not alone. As these sentimental snapshots will appear on everything- your save-the-dates, wedding website, wedding displays, and possibly hanging on the walls of your home! It's important to put together looks that feel great and look great on film.
Before you rummage through your closet or hit the mall for your upcoming engagement session, consider these expert tips regarding what to wear (and what not to wear- thanks Google for a few bad examples below).
The k.i.s.s. rule
The number one tip I can offer couples is to remember “less is more.” You will see, the following tips will follow this basic principle. As my college professor used to say, keep it simple sweetheart… (okay he called us stupid, but sweetheart sounds so much nicer)!
Choose Neutral Tones
You want your faces and the love between you to stand out. Solid earth tones, pastels, and cool colors tend to photograph well and don’t take away from the imagery. Avoid bright colors that draw the eye such as orange or red (it’s used on emergency signs for a reason).
Save the RED flannel for Christmas Cards
Stick With 1 0r 2 outfits
Don't fall victim to treating your engagement session as a full-fledged fashion photo shoot. Two outfits are more than enough to, and it ensures you won't spend your entire engagement session in a rush to change into the next set of clothes.
ComplEment each other
Complementing your partner's look is one thing, but matching outfits and patterned prints aren't ideal for portrait photos. When deciding how you and your partner will dress, look for complementary colors and solid prints. Stay away from anything too busy, as it can be an unnecessary distraction in photos.
Complement, but DON’T MATCH!!!
MAKE IT SPECIAL
Leave the baseball hat or hoodie at home. Dress to impress as these photos are a preview of your wedding day. I've had many women arrive in a simple white dress or with a small bouquet of flowers. Gentlemen should have a dress shirt and nice pants or slacks. Dress like you're going to a wedding.
IT’s all about you
Along the lines of making it special, I usually recommend making the engagement session all about the engaged couple! I don’t really recommend bringing children or pets for this intimate time. However, if your heart is set on including other members of the family in some photos, be sure to bring a designated adult to entertain added loved ones (with treats) when not taking photos.
BE REBELLIOUS!
Don't be afraid to make the engagement session uniquely yours! One of my favorite sessions broke just about every “rule” on this list. The couple arrived with matching baseball, football, and basketball jerseys! However, it fit perfectly with their tailgate themed wedding. Remember, all of these “rules” are loose guidelines.