What To Wear For Engagement Pictures

What To Wear For Engagement Pictures

If you’ve decided get engagement pictures taken and found a photographer, you may be stuck trying to figure out what to wear and how to style your engagement pictures. Here’s some advice on what to wear for engagement pictures.

If you’re new here, be sure to check out my Ultimate Wedding Checklist for links to all of my other wedding articles along with an awesome checklist.  Last time, we talked all about the decision whether or not to take engagement pictures. Now it’s time to chat about what to wear for engagement pictures.

Assuming you decided to get engagement pictures taken and you’ve found a photographer (read my article about choosing a wedding photographer here), you may be stuck trying to figure out what to wear and how to style your engagement pictures. Typically engagement pictures take place outside rather than in the studio. Some couples choose to take engagement pictures in a location that means something special to them or their relationship (like where they met). Others choose beach scenes, parks, forests, urban environments… the options are endless. We ended up choosing a large park that had a variety of different settings (streams, fields, trails, etc.). If you’re in the San Diego area, it was Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve.

If you’re trying to figure out where to take your engagement pictures, ask your photographer for suggestions. I’m sure they have some favorite spots that they’ve shot at before. Once you’ve figured out where you will taking the engagement pictures, you will be able to choose what to wear for your engagement pictures accordingly.

What To Wear For Engagement Pictures

What To Wear For Engagement Pictures

Coordinate with your significant other, but don’t be too “matchy-matchy”.

There’s nothing worse than looking like your mom forced you into those matching jean shirts for family pictures (who doesn’t have some old family pics with far too much denim?!). Coordinate the outfits so they compliment each other well, but don’t match entirely. If you’re stuck, take a look at a color wheel to figure out what colors compliment each other.

What To Wear For Engagement Pictures - Coordinate, but don't be too matchy matchy

Choose an outfit that you feel both comfortable and great in.

Being a model in nerve wracking enough (read my advice about being nervous for your photo session here), do yourself a favor and choose clothes that you look and feel fabulous in. On the same note, be sure you are comfortable. Even though those new heels look awesome on you, if you’re in pain or discomfort you’ll be able to tell in the photos.

Match your style to the location.

Be sure your outfits match the feel of your location. Going the beach for your shoot? Try a long flowing maxi dress and go barefoot like this couple. Trekking it through the streets of downtown urban style? Try bright and bold colors or go formal like these photo shoots. Flannel is always a great option for scenic nature locations.

What To Wear For Engagement Pictures - Flannel is great option for scenic nature locations

Bring a few different outfits.

You will definitely want to bring some options so you can have some variety in the photos. I would recommend no more than three different outfits. Don’t forget to make sure you can have some fun in at least outfit.

What To Wear For Engagement Pictures - Be sure you can have some fun in your outfits

If you’re out in the middle of a park and there’s nowhere private for outfit changes, here’s my best advice. Keep a tank top undershirt consistent in all outfits and use a dress for your 2nd outfit. That way you can get down to your tank top, put the dress on, take the pants off. Then when you’re ready for the 3rd outfit, you can put the pants on under the dress. It worked like a charm for me!

Avoid trendy clothes.

Your engagement photos are timeless. They will be hanging up on your wall for years to come. Be sure you choose outfits that timeless as well. You don’t want to give your grand kids anything to make fun of later down the road, right?

Deciding what to wear for engagement pictures doesn’t have to be that tough, right? I would love to see what you came up with. Share a link to your engagement pictures in the comments!

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2 Comments

  1. I definitely recommend putting some thought into your outfit. I didn’t before I had my own engagement photos done and the morning of, I stood in my closet freaking out and ended up just grabbing two outfits. I look back on the pictures now and am like why did I pick those outfits. Great tips on what to wear, thanks for sharing!

    1. Thanks Laurie! I was so nervous about our pictures that I almost didn’t put much thought into it either but luckily my bff came over to help me get ready and we picked out the outfits together. Thanks for taking the time to comment! Have a great weekend !