One question that I get all the time from clients, is “what should I wear for my engagement session?” It’s a hard question, and the answer is different for each couple, but there are a few basic things that I like to tell clients. These are important pictures, and you’ll feel more comfortable (and thus more confident) if you’ve got a rockin’ outfit!

How many outfits? What should they be?

I love when couples do 2-3 outfits. That way you can give yourself a bit of variety, in both the style and feeling of the photos. Also, you can show off you’re personality!

One outfit should be “casual”. When I say casual, I don’t mean sweats!! Wear a casual shirt and nice jeans. It’s as if you were going on a date to a carnival. You want to look cute, but don’t need to wear something super nice. This is a great place to show off your favorite sports team! But this is the time to buy a new shirt; don’t let your man wear the one with holes.

The second outfit could be a bit nicer. Men in button ups (no tie, untucked), women in spring dresses or a really nice casual outfit. This is a happy medium between the other two outfits. Wear something you would wear to a nice date out.

For the last outfit, go all out. Wear something super pretty and fancy. Put your man in some nice slacks and a tie. Wear a dress, maybe even a long and glamerous one. You aren’t going to have professional photos taken of you again in awhile (besides your wedding of course) so it’s worth dressing up.

Coordinate, don’t match!

There is a big difference between coordinating and matching. Coordinating means picking two colors that complement each other by keeping in the same hue. The colors in the photo can make a huge impact on the overall look of the images. Keeping this in mind will help you have a more dynamic images, and give you a little bit more freedom when picking outfits.

Don’t go hay wild with trendy trends.

You want your images to look timeless, so you want to go more for timeless looks when picking out outfits. This can be a hard one, but you’ll appriciate it in the long run. These types of clothing will last longer in your closet, and you won’t look back at your images years later and ask why?!

Pick styles that look good on your body type!

I swear that this is one of those life skills I wish I was taught much earlier in life. I finally figured out what looks good on me, but here are some basics to keep in mind: Wear clothes that show off your curves, not things that make you look boxy. If you’re concerned about your arms, wear something with 3/4 length sleeves. Tube-tops, short shorts, and baggy clothes aren’t very flattering in photos. Black is always slimming, but remember to then spice it up.

Be Bold.

Don’t be afraid of bold colors or prints; you just have to know how to use them well. Bold prints are awesome, but wear a blazer or cardigan to tone it down. Keep in mind that smaller patterns are easier on the eye than larger ones.

An easy way to choose colors is to pick one bold hue, and then combine it with neutrals. I personally love the pairing of neutrals with a pop of color. Pastels also always look good together.

Layer, layer, layer!

The way to take an outfit from good to great, is to add layers. It both adds a bit of depth and looks more put together. Having layers is one key to having an awesome, professional, and super stylish outfit.

Don’t forget the accessories!

Play up your style with accessories. Shoes, jewelry, the works. Choosing a big statement necklace can really spruce up a plain dress. A great pair of heels can do amazing things for an outfit, not to mention your legs And don’t forget your nails; there will be lots of photos of your ring, so don’t have chipped polish.

Yes it’s worth it to get professional hair & make-up!!!

It may seem like it’s unnecissary, but the benefits definitiely outweigh the cost. On the day of MY engagement session, it was so wonderful to feel a bit pampered. I felt more confident in myself, and the whole photoshoot was easier. If you don’t have someone in mind, I have some great people that I’d love to reccommend!

These are some of my tips, but if you have others you’d like to add please comment below!! Can’t wait to hear all of the ideas.

-Meghan