Choosing the perfect outfit for your engagement photos can feel like a daunting task – after all, these photos will be shared with friends and family, used for save-the-dates, and cherished for years to come. That’s why I’m here to help you find out what to wear for engagement pictures.
As a photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing so many couples’ beautiful love stories through engagement photos. From color palettes and textures to fit and comfort, this post will truly guide you through everything you need to know to look your best in your engagement photos.
Let’s dive into what to wear for engagement pictures with 19 of my favorite tips.
How to Choose What to Wear for Engagement Pictures
Coordinate But Don’t Match
This first tip might seem silly, but I’m sure you’ve taken those photos as a kid at local department stores where your entire family basically wore the same outfit for the entire photoshoot. Does a white T-shirt and jeans ring a bell?
Something like this might seem like a good idea at first thought, but in reality, it makes your photos look overly staged and less personal. Instead of matching exactly, a more stylish and visually appealing approach is to coordinate your outfits.

Dress it Up or Down
You’ve probably seen a lot of engagement photos that feel very dressed up, but truthfully, you can dress it up or down depending on the vibe that you want to convey through your engagement pictures.
A dressy option may mean a chic jumpsuit, cocktail dress, or sleek suit. Meanwhile, casual outfits would lean more towards simple tops, jeans, casual button-downs, or a sundress. Remember that you want to feel comfortable and confident in your outfit because it will reflect in your photos. Wear something that makes you both feel most comfortable.

Avoid Busy Patterns
When you are choosing what to wear for engagement pictures, you need to consider how your outfit will actually look on camera. So, try to avoid busy patterns because while these can look great in person, they can be a bit distracting in your photos. This is because often busy patterns will draw away from your face and expressions.
General patterns to avoid include ones with thin stripes or checks, as well as intricate designs, which can get a bit chaotic with the backdrop of your location. Simple patterns are completely fine, though! These could be subtle plaids, polka dots, or even a simple floral pattern.
The idea here is to keep the focus on you and your partner as well as your emotions and interaction. After all, these are the more important elements of your engagement photos.

Add a Pop of Color
If you’re the colorful type, you can absolutely add a fun pop of color to your engagement outfit. You don’t have to shy away from color if you don’t want to. In fact, a colorful accessory or t-shirt can give an energetic feel to your photos.
However, be sure to do this thoughtfully. Color is great, but you don’t want to choose something neon or have your color clash with what your partner is wearing. The key is to focus on balance and harmony so that the colors enhance the photo and don’t detract from it.

Dress for the Same Session
When it comes to what to wear for engagement pictures, it’s super important that you’re both on the same page for the dress code. This means that if one of you is dressed up, the other should be too!
If there’s a formality mismatch (i.e. one person is in a suit while the other is in jeans and a t-shirt), then it can ruin the photo’s harmony. It can honestly throw off the vibe and aesthetic of the photo, which we don’t want.

Timeless Over Trendy
I know the urge to pick an outfit that’s currently trending is hard to resist, but you really want your engagement photos to stand the test of time. So, try to go for outfits that are timeless instead of trendy.
Now, this does not mean that your outfits have to be boring! You can still express your personal style; you just want to avoid anything that will date your photos. For instance, instead of a statement piece that might go out of style in a few months, go for a classic, enduring piece.

When in Doubt, Go Neutral
If you are really struggling to decide what to wear for engagement pictures, you can always go neutral. This will always be a safe option if you find picking an outfit to be overwhelming.
Neutral colors like white, beige, gray, black, and navy are timeless, versatile, and will always photograph well. They also won’t distract from you and your partner. You can also still have fun with this by playing with textures and layers to create a unique look.

Dress for the Season
It’s always important to consider the season that your engagement pictures will actually be taken. This won’t only make sure that you’re comfortable with the weather but also that there’s a cohesive look between you both and your environment.
For instance, warm, cozy weather might be great in the winter, while in the summer, you wouldn’t rock that look comfortably. You’d want something with lighter fabrics that are more breathable.

Accessorize With Care
Accessorizing is a crucial part of choosing what to wear for engagement pictures that you don’t want to overlook. Accessories can do a few things for you:
- Enhance your overall look
- Add a fun personal touch
- Make your outfits more visually interesting
I know it can be easy to go overboard with accessorizing, but you want to do this intentionally. The right accessories can easily bring your outfits to the next level, while the wrong ones can be distracting. Choose accessories that complement your outfit, like a bold necklace or nice watch.

Comfort First
While most people will wonder what colors to wear for engagement pictures, it’s also important not to overlook the power of being comfortable! Engagement photos can include a wide variety of poses and even locations, so you want to wear an outfit that doesn’t restrict you.
You may also not realize it, but how you feel in your outfit can be directly seen through the final photos. If you’re uncomfortable, the facial expressions you make will show it.

Balance Your Colors
The best outfits for engagement photos always have great balance. This kind of goes along with the coordinate point mentioned earlier, but for instance, if you wear a navy blue outfit, your partner could wear a shirt in a lighter shade of blue or even a contrasting color like mustard. This way, your outfits will look like they “go together” without looking too matchy-matchy.

Consider Your Theme
Not all couples will have a theme for engagement pictures, but if you do, then consider it when picking your outfit! The clothing you choose should easily align with the overall mood or concept of your session.
If you’re going for a sophisticated city shoot, for instance, a chic button-down or suit might be the better option. Meanwhile, if you want a casual, laid-back shoot near the water, light-colored linens and flowy clothes might be more appropriate.

Layer When You Can
An easy way to add more depth to your outfit is to layer when you can. For instance, if one of you chooses to wear a basic dress or shirt, it can be layered with a sweater, jacket, or even a scarf.
This doesn’t just allow for a more varied outfit but gives you the option to change throughout the photoshoot if you want to without actually doing a full outfit change. It’s also a lot more practical if you will be shooting during a time of year when the weather might change throughout the session!

Consider Your Location
You also want to consider the location of your shoot. This is because if your session is winter, for example, an outdoor photoshoot means you can wear a jacket, while indoors, you can wear something a little cozier. Ultimately, your location can serve as inspiration for your outfits.

Avoid Outfits You Don’t Love
We did touch on comfort earlier, but please avoid outfits that you don’t 100% love. These photos will be looked back on for years to come, so it’s important that you feel confident in what you choose to wear. Opt for clothing that makes you feel good and that you love from every angle!

Pick Complementary Footwear
Choosing the right footwear for your outfit is pretty often overlooked, but you want to make sure that your shoes complement your outfit. You also want to make sure they are actually suitable for the location and any activities planned for the session.
A formal city shoot might be great for heels or polished loafers, while a rustic outdoor setting is probably better for casual (but clean) sneakers or stylish boots. Remember too that uncomfortable shoes can affect your posture and expressions, to wear shoes that are at least broken in.

Plan for a Quick Change
While not everyone opts to do this, some photographers will also allow you to bring a second outfit for a quick change partway through the session. This can allow you to showcase different facets of your personality and love story and add a bit of variety to your final gallery.
For instance, you could opt for one casual outfit and one that’s more formal. Remember, though, that time is often limited during engagement sessions, so you want to make sure that your outfit change can be done quickly.

Avoid Logos and Text
Don’t wear any clothing with text or logos. These can also draw away from you and your partner and can date your outfits. Tiny logos can be okay and not super distracting, but my best advice is to avoid them as much as you can.
Remember that the purpose of your photos is to highlight your love, not advertise another brand. Keep the focus on both of you as much as you can.

Be You!
Lastly, if you are ever in doubt about what to wear for engagement pictures, just be yourselves. What do you both wear on a daily basis when you feel the most “you?” Try to infuse that into your outfit. You won’t regret it, and it will allow for even more candid photographs.

Final Thoughts: Engagement Photoshoot Outfit Ideas
Choosing what to wear for your engagement session does not have to be daunting. There are so many ways to express your personal style, and just remember, these photos should stand the test of time and really showcase your love story.
Are you still looking for a photographer to capture your engagement session? Click here to learn more about my services and here to get in touch.
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