What to Wear to Your Engagement Session

OKAY...

so you've tried on a hundred different outfits and now you are staring at a massive pile of clothes on the floor and still have no idea what you're going to wear for your engagement session. Trust me I've been there. If I'm being honest that's basically my morning routine every day. Finding a good outfit to wear on just a regular old Monday can be a challenge, now try adding the pressure of finding the perfect outfit for your photos that are going to be hanging up on the walls and sent out to all your wedding guests... no wonder you're struggling. But don't worry I'm not here to scare you more, I'm here to help! I've been photographing couples for years and I have learned a few things about styling the perfect fit for your shoot. So take a deep breath because I'm going to shed my knowledge on you!

You've probably already heard this because every photographer screams it from the top of their lungs, but neutrals are always the way to go! They are the best for a number of reasons. Neutrals match with absolutely everything so it makes it very easy to coordinate with your partner when your wearing neutrals. It takes out the stress of wondering if your outfits will match well or not. Neutrals will always match well with your surroundings. Whether you're in a field, the woods, or at a beach neutrals pair well with all kinds of scenery. And since neutrals aren't bright and flashy they don't distract from the main star of the show: YOU! During your session you want your outfit to compliment you, not draw attention away from you. Now you might be thinking neutrals sound boring... but they don't have to be. There are so many different neutral colors out there, here are just a few neutral color combos for some inspo!

So we've established that color is important, now what about adding a little spicy to outfit? Your outfit can still be fun without bright bold colors. That's where patterns, layering, and texture come in! Patterns can definitely be tricky to work with. You don't want too bold of patterns that are distracting. Subtle patterns like horizontal lines, gingham, or soft florals work well. Layering an outfit can also add so much. For example, a simple white shirt paired with a cardigan, denim jacket, or flannel over it has way more going on than it did before. Or you can switch it up with different textures by pairing a flowy dress with a corduroy jacket. Layering can also provide variety because the thing about layers is they can be removed and then boom you have a totally different outfit! Okay maybe not totally different but it does bring a different vibe into the photos. Instead of me rambling on and explaining a million different outfit combos, let me just show you some!

One thing that I tell all my couples is to pick TWO outfits out for your session. You might be like uh Rachel I can barely pick one and now you want me to pick two?? Yes I want you to pick two. I always tell couples to try and go for one more casual outfit and one fancier outfit. Maybe your first outfit it more simple: jeans and a sweater or shirt. Your second outfit could be a long flowy dress paired with your partner in a dress shirt and nice pants. I tell couples this because I want you to have all the options when it comes to your photos. I want you to get the fun playful photos, but I also want you to get the deep soulful romantic photos! Having two different outfit options allows for a totally different feel halfway through your session. I also have different poses for different outfits. I'm not going to have you jump on your partners back in a dress and heels but I will have you do that in jeans. Check out some shots from this session below to see the difference between casual and fancy outfits (they nailed it!).

I love a good cute outfit, but what I love even more is being comfy! A big tip I can give you is to choose an outfit that you feel comfortable in. If the tight bodycon dress isn't comfy, don't force yourself to wear it. If you are uncomfortable in your clothes you will not be comfortable during the session and that will show through in your photos. I want my clients to be as relaxed as possible during their session. My advice: pick the comfier outfit. Your future self will thank you greatly. If you are comfortable during your session then you can focus on having fun and enjoying the moment with your partner instead of worrying about how itchy your shirt is or how your jeans are pinching weird. But being comfy isn't just physical, I want you to mentally be comfy too. That may sound a little weird but I'm serious. Your outfit should make you confident in yourself. You shouldn't have to spend the whole session worrying about how it looks on you. Choose an outfit that puts your mind in a comfortable place too!

Diamonds are a girl's best friend right? Or maybe a gold necklace? Or a cute hat? Accessories are a must for a session in my opinion. I love simple jewelry or wide brim hat paired with an outfit. Those little extras add a lot. You can showcase your own personal style so much in how you choose to accessorize. They also make for such unique detail shots too! So don't be afraid to add your own little accessory flare to your outfit.

So...

Now you might be thinking you've got a good idea of what to and what not to wear for your session but you might be still a little stumped on putting together an outfit. And I'm here to tell you I've got even more resources for you. I've been compiling a Pinterest board over the last year or so with tons of outfits and color palettes that would work absolutely perfectly for a session! Check out the link below to get your creative outfit juices flowing, whoop whoop!

I truly hope this helps you in your quest to finding the perfect outfits for your engagement session. Take these tips to guide you but remember the most important thing is to be you. Pick outfits that resemble you and your personality because that's what I'm trying to capture during your session. My goal is to capture the most authentic version of you and your partner! So be yourself!

Hugs,

Rachel Marie