Congratulations on your engagement!! Now comes all the fun stuff. First things first - planning your engagement session. For most couples, an engagement session is one of the first opportunities you get to celebrate saying "YES!" It's also a good chance this is the first time you and your fiancé are having professional photos done which can make bride and grooms-to-be a little nervous (trust me, I totally get it!) This is where your next part comes in - planning your outfits. Finding what to wear should not and IS NOT complicated, but I'm going to give you some helpful tips to make you feel your very best in front of the camera!
There are a few things to consider when styling your outfit: 1. Time of year (for the purposes of this post I'll only be focusing on the FALL and WINTER seasons)
2. Location of your session (consider your surroundings)
3. Coordinate, DON'T MATCH
4. Avoid large patterns
5. Make sure your outfit represents YOU!
Time of Year
Fall and winter months are when all those gorgeous jewel tones start popping up in stores again, and for good reason - they pair beautifully with all the earthy hues of the colder seasons. They are just as they sound, inspired by the rich and saturated tones of jewels (ruby, emerald, amethyst, topaz, sapphire, etc).
I always suggest couples pick a neutral palette to start off and incorporate a pop of color as they see fit. We want the focus to be on your face and your connection. Trends are fun but they can also easily distract from your photos or make them feel dated. Check out some of my favorite neutral shades for fall and winter to achieve a timeless look to your images.
Location
This should go without saying but I'm going to say it anyway, location matters! Before you decide on your outfits you'll want to consider where you'll be the day of your session. Make sure your outfit compliments your surroundings. If it's cold outside be sure to bring lots of layers. If your session is taking place on a freakishly warm fall day, wear fabrics your body can breathe in. If you plan to hike up and down trails chances are you won't be reaching for those 4 inch heels. However, that doesn't mean you can't dress formal for your mountainous location. Instead, wear something more comfortable like a flowy dress as opposed to a fitted one, and wait until you've reached your location to slip on your heels right before shooting. After all, rules are meant to be broken!
Go casual with jeans and comfy boots. Layer with a knit sweater or scarf.
Opt for a more formal look with a dress - nice slacks and button up for him. Pick one color from the dress pattern (like the plum you see here) and incorporate it into his outfit. PS - I need these red velvet shoes in my closet ASAP!
Coordinate Your Outfits
Stay away from being matchy-matchy. Gone are the days of blue jeans and matching white t-shirts (thank heaven!). Matching makes it difficult to differentiate between you and your fiancé in photos. Instead, coordinate with one another using complimentary colors. Have a variety of colors, textures, tones and patterns, just make sure they coordinate well for a cohesive look.
The polka dot button up, soft blazer, chiffon skirt, leather boots & tassel earrings add SO much variety while looking classy and cohesive. Plus, these neutral shades really make this cranberry skirt pop.
I love this rust colored sweater dress paired with an all black ensemble.
Avoid Large Patterns
If you want to wear patterns, make sure they're small and subtle. Avoid any loud prints that can distract from your faces. I like to suggest only one person wear a pattern. Pulling a color from that pattern is a very simple and easy way to coordinate with each other as well.
The pattern on this dress is so small and subtle - perfect for an autumn shoot!
Coordinating greens in the plaid and the dress - gorgeous!
TIP: Don't forget about textures when choosing your outfits. Cooler months allow for so many options since you'll most likely be layering. Knit sweaters & cardigans, corduroy pants, suede shoes, flannel shirts, velvet blazers, sherpa wraps, cashmere scarves, or leather jackets add so much interest to your photos. Scarves, dresses and skirts add movement giving your photos life and a candid feel.
Neutrals
If jewel tones or saturated colors just aren't your thing, stick with neutrals. I know, I know... it's 2022 and some of us have had enough talk of neutrals at this point (I'm with ya!). But I promise neutrals don't have to be boring. Start by picking a color you like to wear and go with a more muted shade of that color.
The rust corduroy pants and sand tones give these neutral outfits a beautiful boho vibe.
Okay - I know I said not to match but this is a great example of "rules were meant to be broken." All the different textures really make this look work, and will look beautiful in front of the fall foliage or earthy hues of winter.
Be YOURSELF!
Depending on the length of your session there may be time for an outfit change mid-shoot. I always suggest one casual and one formal. Your outfits should represent you and your style. These are YOUR photos to look back at and remember yourselves as a couple forever. If you feel like a million bucks it's going to translate in your images.
Taking time to make the best of your photos will be priceless when you look back on your engagement photos years from now! I hope this blog post has helped you as you're planning your fall or winter session.
For more wardrobe tips I recommend you check out my previous blog post:
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