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What to Wear for Engagement Photos: 4 Tips

Couple wears neutrals and earth tones during their engagement session for a palette that works with any style.

Confession: just this time last year, I was googling “what to wear for engagement photos,” because I had no idea where to start.

Short note too– I’m just now diving back into this blog after a long hiatus. Wedding planning, then hosting said wedding, photographing weddings, and functioning as a regular human being is a lot!

Back to our big question, though. What to wear?

It’s a big question. It has lots of answers. Where it gets tricky is in finding the capital “L” Look for you and your partner. (PS: it should go without saying, but there’s no wrong outfit for your engagement photos. Whatever makes you feel confident, beautiful, strong, handsome, comfortable, stunning, and yourself is the outfit for you.)

If you’re wondering what to wear for engagement photos, there are a few things that can be helpful to keep in mind, from location to season to your style preferences.

To keep this short and sweet in typical crash-course style, we’re gonna break it down into steps so you know how to pick what to wear for your engagement photos.

1. Location

An example of what to wear for an engagement session in the woods: a button-down shirt and cool black dress with sturdy footwear.

It may seem obvious, but it’s something I’ve learned through trial and error. If you’re heading out to somewhere new for an outdoor session, research the terrain or ask your photographer about what footwear is best. The difference between closed-toed shoes or open-toed shoes could be a game changer. (You can always bring another pair to change into once you get where you’re going!)

2. Time of Year

A couple wears light blue check and a floral print for their mid-summer engagement photos.

This is also a matter of personal preference. The seasons can inform what colors to wear if you’re into that! You can lean in and embrace the pastels of Spring, lush greens in Summer, or golds of Fall and jewel tones in the Winter. There’s always the traditional white, too! More on that in a minute.

3. Time of Day

Couple wears light and airy colors for a brighter look in their engagement photo outfits.

While golden hour photos are fantastic, there’s a lot of day outside that 50-70 minute segment. Was your first date going for coffee? Mornings make for lovely photos too; more often than not, some spots can be a bit less crowded than later in the day! Feel free to expand your time (and closet) into other parts of the day. The time of your session allows airy daytime looks as other options to dressy casual afternoon outfits.

4. Comfort

Wanting to stay warm, this couple wears sweaters and vests during their engagement session.

Bottom line: wear what’s comfortable. When you feel your best, you look your best! It’s always a good idea to go with what you like and feels good! It’s a combination that can’t lose.

The Failsafe: Neutrals

Couple wears neutrals and earth tones during their engagement session for a palette that works with any style.

(Always my fallback!) When in doubt, neutrals (black and white) and earth tones (tan, cream, olive, etc.) can pair well with anything from skirts to pants to nice jeans!

Whatever you’re envisioning for your session, as long as you stay true to yourself, you’re bound to have a great time! If you have any questions, ask! There truly is no silly question.

Let me know your thoughts below, and if I can help answer any of those questions, let me know here!

Want to connect? Find me on Instagram!

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As a Southeast wedding photographer with nearly a decade of experience, Stokes brings her signature bold, editorial style and uninhibited, romantic aesthetic to modern love stories. 

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