Engagement Style Guide: Summer Edition

The engagement session is an important milestone for every couple planning a wedding. It is more than just a photo shoot, it is a celebration of a very special time in your life. Which is why so many couples get anxious when deciding what to wear. I have compiled this post with photo examples from engagement sessions I have done to help inspire your engagement photo shoot style. We still have a month left to summer and plenty of beautiful warm days ahead for engagement sessions.

When the couples I work with ask me what to wear, I always tell them that they have two outfit changes for their session and I highly recommend one formal or semi-formal outfit and one casual outfit. There are a couple of reasons for this; because the engagement session is such a celebratory time, it truly elevates the entire moment to get dressed up (hair and makeup too). When you fancy it up a little (not far out of your comfort zone, but enough to really make them moment magical) your photos are going to look so much more polished and sophisticated. And when you look your best you feel your best. That confidence translates into the way you hold yourself in front of the camera, making your photos the best they can be. 

I also recommend a less formal outfit or even a casual outfit because it adds variety to your photo session and gives you a whole new look to use for your holiday cards or photos to share online. This is the part of the photo shoot where you should truly let your personal style and personality shine through. 

Formal: Formal outfits truly elevate the look of your engagement session. The outfits you choose should be selected based on the location. Highly formal attire such as suits or full length gowns, look best in city settings or even certain outdoor locations such as the beach or cliffs at sunset. Shorter length formal attire such as midi dresses or skirts look great in cities, parks, and suburban settings. Formal attire can also include uniforms such as military uniforms or even formal cultural attire such as saris.

When choosing your locations and outfits to work together, I highly recommend starting with casual wear and ending with formal attire as you become more comfortable in front of the camera. Formal attire also looks best later in the evening, especially for sunset sessions, although it can be worn earlier in the day like the photos below which were taken shortly after sunrise. 

When selecting footwear, make sure that you bring a comfortable pair of shoes that you can walk in between locations. That way you do not have to choose between comfort and looking your best. 

Semi-Formal: Semi-formal attire is the best alternative for a couple who does not feel comfortable dressing very formal for their photo shoot. Semi-formal attire also fits well with almost any location. From the city to a winery or even a farm or beach, semi-formal clothing looks beautiful in any setting. When selecting colors, you do not have to match, however, you will want to wear colors that work well together instead of clash. Prints such as florals, stripes, or polka dots are fun, but be aware of neon colors or patterns that have too thin of lines or are too busy because they can appear distracting in a photograph. 

For ladies, semi-formal clothing could be anything from a simple sheath dress, maxi dress, or midi shirt with a blouse. For gentlemen, slacks, khakis, button-downs, suspenders, vests, and even casual blazers will work well. 

Casual: If you are a casual couple then there is nothing wrong with making the decision to go casual with your engagement session. You want your photo shoot to represent who you truly are as a couple.  Again, you will want to make sure your clothing compliments your partner’s or you will clash in photos. Avoid clothing with rips or logos and shoes that are worn and dirty unless you are doing a stylized photo shoot where that would fit the theme. You want the clothing to be casual, but you still want the style to look clean and put together. Casual styles are great for at-home sessions, parks, farms, the woods, and numerous other locations.  

When selecting what you wear, don’t sweat the small stuff. The two rules you really need to follow are: make sure your clothes work well with each other’s and be you. What makes each session so beautiful truly is the uniqueness that each couple brings to the session with their unique style, personalities, and how they interact with each other. When you’re dressed in a way that makes you feel your best, no matter what your style may be, your photos are going to be great.