What Do I Wear for My Engagement Pre-Wedding Photography Session?

One of the questions I’m asked most often is what to wear for an engagement session. Some wedding photography packages at Lumen Atellier include a complimentary pre-wedding shoot, and most couples choose to have one. The moment they do, the same question comes up: how should we dress, and are there any clothing taboos to worry about in front of the camera?

My honest answer is simple. Wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable while still looking your best. Comfy joggers and a gym top might be the cosiest things you own, but you probably don’t want your invitations or save the date cards showing you in workout gear. Almost everyone has that one dress or shirt they save for special occasions, the one that fits just right and makes them feel great the second they put it on. That instinct is a brilliant place to start.

First, Think About Where These Photos Will Live

Before you pick anything, it helps to picture where the images will end up. Many couples use their engagement photos on save the date cards, wedding invitations, a guest book, or as prints and wall art at home. That changes the brief slightly. You want outfits that will still look lovely on your wall in ten years, not something tied to a passing trend. As a general rule, avoid large logos, slogans and very busy patterns. They tend to date quickly, fight with the background, and pull the eye away from your faces, which are the real subject of every photo.

Coordinate, Don’t Match

The goal is for the two of you to look like you belong together, not like you bought a matching set. Identical outfits can look a little stiff, but clashing ones look like an accident. The easiest trick is to agree on a small palette of two or three colours and let each of you pull from it. If she wears a soft blush dress, he might pick a navy shirt and tan trousers that sit comfortably alongside it.

Just as important as colour is matching your level of formality. It simply won’t look right if one of you turns up in a black-tie evening gown and the other in jeans and a sports jersey. Decide together roughly how dressed up you both want to be, then build each outfit to that level. If he goes for a suit and tie, she dresses up to meet it. If she goes relaxed and casual, he keeps things easy too.

What She Might Wear

Flowing fabrics photograph beautifully because they catch the light and move with you, especially if there’s a breeze. A dress with a bit of length and movement gives lovely, romantic images, but a well-fitted jumpsuit, a skirt and blouse, or smart trousers all work just as well if a dress isn’t your style.

A few things worth thinking about:

• Silhouette over trend. Choose something that flatters your shape and that you already know you feel confident in. The shoot is not the day to test an outfit you’re unsure about.
• Colour. Soft, rich and jewel tones tend to be flattering on most people and sit nicely against natural backdrops. Very bright neon can cast colour onto your skin, and pure white can be tricky to expose well.
• Layers and texture. A cardigan, jacket or wrap adds interest and gives you options if the weather turns. Texture, like a knit or a little lace, reads beautifully in photographs.
• Shoes. Bring something comfortable you can actually walk in, plus a prettier pair for close-up and standing shots. You’ll likely be moving around more than you expect.
• Hair, make-up and nails. Wear your hair and make-up the way you feel most like yourself, perhaps a touch more defined than everyday so it reads on camera. Because there are often hand-in-hand and ring shots, tidy nails are a nice finishing touch.

What to skip: anything you’ll spend the whole shoot tugging at, brand new shoes that pinch, and very heavy fake tan, which can photograph unevenly.

What He Might Wear

Men sometimes assume there’s not much to think about, but a little effort goes a long way and the right outfit makes the whole couple look pulled together. The single most important thing is fit. A simple shirt that fits well will always look better than an expensive jacket that doesn’t.

Some pointers:

• Smart casual is a safe baseline. Well-fitted chinos or dark jeans with a clean shirt, sleeves rolled, works for almost any setting. Add a blazer, jumper or knit if you want to dress it up.
• Layer for depth. A shirt under a jumper, or a jacket over an open collar, adds shape and visual interest, and gives you a quick way to change the look mid-shoot by removing a layer.
• Colour and texture. Earthy and muted tones tend to be more flattering and timeless than very bright shirts. A bit of texture, like a tweed jacket or a chunky knit, photographs really well.
• Shoes matter. Clean, suitable footwear finishes the look. Trainers can work for a relaxed shoot, but make sure they’re tidy and fit the rest of the outfit.
• Grooming. Sort your hair and beard the way you like it the day before or the morning of, and bring a comb. Small details show up close.

What to skip: large logos and band tees, anything creased, ill-fitting suits, and stiff brand new clothes you haven’t worn in. Clothes you’re already comfortable in will help you relax in front of the camera.

Bring Two Looks If You Can

If your shoot allows, it’s lovely to bring a second outfit so you get variety in one session, perhaps one dressed-up look and one relaxed one. I always try to choose a location with somewhere to change nearby, so you can swap outfits and add accessories without any fuss. Two looks effectively gives you two sets of images for the price of one session.

Props and Accessories Are Always Welcome

Accessories add personality and give your hands something to do, which helps if you feel a little self-conscious at first. If you have lovely scarves, hats, boots or jackets, bring them along. Hats with a bit of character, a handmade save the date sign, an empty picture frame to pose through, or a pair of fun glasses are all easy ways to make the session more playful and memorable.

The most special props are the ones that mean something to you as a couple. Think about what tells your story: a beloved pet, bicycles, a picnic blanket and a flask, an instrument one of you plays, a board game you always argue over, or anything tied to how you met. Personal touches almost always make the warmest, most memorable images.

A Few Practical Tips Before the Day

• Iron everything. Creases are very hard to remove afterwards and obvious on camera.
• Break shoes in. Sore feet show in your face and your posture.
• Pack a small kit. A comb, lip balm, a few safety pins, and a layer in case it turns chilly are worth having to hand.
• Coordinate, then relax. Once you’ve planned your outfits, try not to overthink it. The best images come from couples who are relaxed and having fun together.

Because honestly, that’s the real secret. The clothes matter, but the very best photographs happen when the session is a genuinely enjoyable one.

Have a question about your pre-wedding shoot or what to wear? I’m always happy to chat it through and help you plan. Get in touch with Lumen Atellier anytime.