How to Choose an Outfit for Your Engagement Photos

Your guide to selecting a comfortable and stylish outfit (plus outfit inspo for every season!)

Co-authored by David Zhang and Devin McSween

Last Updated: March 5, 2023 References

Choosing an Outfit

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Spring and Summer Outfits

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Fall and Winter Outfits

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Tips

Congratulations on getting engaged! Along with basking in the love and support from your friends and family, you and your partner get to have fun and plan your engagement photo outfits. If you’re not sure what to wear, don’t worry–we’ve got you covered! When you choose your outfits, you want to maintain your vibe as a couple and dress for the season. However, there’s no right or wrong thing to wear in your photos! You just want to feel comfortable and like yourself. To help you pick out the perfect outfit for your engagement photos, we’ve put together a list of considerations to take as you’re planning. Then, we’ve included casual and dressy outfit ideas for the spring, summer, fall, and winter!

Things You Should Know

Choose an outfit that is comfortable, more muted than bright, and compliments your partner.
In the spring and summer, wear a maxi dress and heels or a collared shirt and chinos.
In the fall and winter, go for a sweater and midi skirt or a plaid blazer and dress pants.

Section 1 of 3:

Choosing an Outfit

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Wear clothes that reflect your personality and style. If you and your fiancé are a casual couple who rock jeans and a t-shirt, stick to that! Or, if you like to get glam, wear an elegant dress or tux.^{[1]
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- It’s important that you look and feel comfortable for your photos. There’s no right outfit to wear! If dressy and formal isn’t your thing, it's totally okay to be ultra relaxed.
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Select an outfit that complements your partner’s clothes. Instead of matching, opt for different colors, patterns, and fabrics that work together. If you’re wearing a blue dress, your partner might stick to a cream button down and khaki pants. They can add pops of blue back into their outfit with their tie, jewelry, or shoes.^{[2]
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- Deep colors like black, burgundy, eggplant, emerald, and red work well together. They can also contrast nicely with creams and whites.
- Light colors like white, blush pink, denim, gray, and sage compliment each other nicely. They can also be used with darker colors to stand out.
- If you are wearing a patterned dress or top, your partner can compliment you by wearing a solid color that is pulled from your outfit.
- Play with different textures! A velvet dress or suit pairs well with sleek fabrics. Or, if you’re both wearing sweaters, you can opt for a chunky knit while your partner wears a fine cashmere.
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Go for neutrals and soft colors. In general, muted colors work better on film because they reflect less light. This makes them less distracting, which puts the focus on you and your partner, rather than your clothes. Neutrals, jewel tones, and pastels are all great color options.^{[3]
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- There are no wrong colors to wear, so if you want to wear neons and vivid colors, do it!
- White is totally acceptable to wear in your engagement photos. It directly nods to your upcoming nuptials and is a romantic shade that works well with everything.
- When choosing a pattern, make sure it's not overly busy or distracting. Graphic tees and large prints can also take the focus away from you. Stripes, small florals, and subtle patterns are all great choices.
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Dress for the season. You obviously want to be comfortable for your pictures, but you might not know that certain colors make your pictures pop! Deep reds, oranges, greens, blues, and purples are perfect for fall and winter. Creams, khakis, pastels and vivid pinks, greens, reds, and purples are great for spring and summer.^{[4]
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- Certain fabrics work best for the seasons too! Fall and winter colors in flannel, velvet, and wool give you a festive, celebratory vibe. Stick to airy fabrics like cotton and linen in the spring and summer to keep you cool.
- If you’re taking pictures in the snow, it’s a great idea to wear deep colors that stand out amidst the brilliant background.
- If you and your partner are taking a romantic stroll on the beach, linen shorts and bare feet are cute and relaxed choices.
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Select an outfit that works with your photoshoot location. If you’re taking photos in your city, you might opt for edgy streetwear on a rooftop building or wear dressy attire in front of quaint historic houses. When you’re taking pictures outside, dress the part! Light, breezy clothing nicely compliments the relaxed and romantic vibes of the beach. Hats, flannel, and boots are perfect for a forest or mountain hiking shoot.^{[5]
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- Again, these photos are for you and your fiancé. If you like the contrast of a glam look in a wild location, go for it!
- You also want to make sure your outfit choices are comfortable for your location. You might not want to wear pointy heels on grass, so choose wedges instead.^{[6]
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Incorporate accessories to show off your personality. Take your pictures up a notch with simple and sparkly jewelry, sleek outerwear, comfy scarves, and dapper hats. You can also bring fun props that are important to you and your fiancé. You might include your furry friend, pop some champagne, or make funny signs about getting engaged.^{[7]
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- Before your photoshoot, make sure to polish your ring so it’s extra sparkly and bright! If you like a done up look, add a neutral or colorful polish to your nails to make your ring pop even more.^{[8]
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Bring a second outfit. Most photographers actually recommend bringing a second outfit in order to show off your different sides as a couple. You might bring a casual outfit that reflects the sweet and comfortable relationship you have with your partner. You can also bring a glam, elegant outfit that shows that you and your partner know how to clean up nicely too!^{[9]
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- Most photographers will provide you with time mid-shoot to change your outfit. Just let them know ahead of time that you’re bringing a second outfit.
- Limit yourself to 2 outfits. While it’s great to have a lot of options, more than one outfit change can cut into your session time.^{[10]
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- It’s your choice whether you want to start with your casual or formal outfit. Some photographers recommend starting with your formal one so that you can finish your shoot in comfort.

Section 2 of 3:

Spring and Summer Outfits

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Satin midi dress and heels. Choose a mid-length satin dress for an elegant, formal photoshoot. Go for a soft green, pink, yellow, or blue for a sweet, spring vibe. Or, go chic and classy with cream, white, or champagne. Accessorize with gold or silver earrings and nude sandals or heels.^{[11]
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- An edgy leather or timeless denim jacket can add depth and dimension to your look, and keep you warm on cooler days.
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Maxi dress and heels. Look stylish and stay cool in a flowy and romantic maxi dress. Choose a dress in a solid pastel, or stay seasonal with a sweet floral print. Finish your look off with a dainty necklace and nude heeled sandals.^{[12]
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- If you want even more movement and drama in your photos, choose a maxi dress with a front slit.
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Wide leg jumpsuit. Rock a trendy jumpsuit for a more casual vibe. A white, yellow, blue, or green wide leg will make you look and feel cool on hot days! Pair it with hoops and nude heeled sandals.^{[13]
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- If you don’t want to stick too close to the trends, opt for a jumpsuit with a more classic, straight leg fit.
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Sleeveless top and midi skirt. A skirt and blouse combo is perfect for a sweet and flirty photoshoot. Choose a flowy, floral midi or maxi skirt in light colors like white, lavender, blush pink, and baby blue. Wear it with a solid sleeveless top in a matching color. Add some simple earrings, a pair of nude heels or wedges, and you’re ready to go!^{[14]
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- Your partner can complement your outfit by wearing a solid taken from your floral patterned skirt.
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Blouse and jeans. Keep it relaxed and romantic with a flowy blouse and jeans. Show off your personality by choosing a floral, lacey, or solid blouse in pastel spring or vibrant summer colors. Pair your blouse with a pair of light-wash cropped jeans. This outfit is perfect because you can wear it with a pair of sneakers, ballet flats, or a pair of nude or colorful heels.^{[15]
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- If you and your fiancé have a large height difference, you might want to bring a pair of heels for close up shots. This will help bring you closer together and capture super romantic photos.^{[16]
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Button down and dress pants. For a more formal photoshoot, men can wear a classic short sleeved button down and slacks combo. Stick with a neutral button down for a sophisticated look, or choose a fun pastel yellow, green, blue or pink shirt. Add a pair of gray, black, or cream slacks and neutral dress shoes.^{[17]
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- Accessorize your look with a silver or gold watch.
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Collared shirt and chinos. Look refined in a collared shirt and fitted pair of chinos. Rock a collared shirt in a rich teal, blue, or spring green. Or, keep it light and airy in white or blush pink. You can even choose a funky striped or floral print. Finish off your look with a pair of cream, khaki, or brown chinos and nice loafers.^{[18]
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Polo shirt and khakis. Stay relaxed and cool in a polo and nice pair of khaki pants. Dress for the spring or summer in a colorful polo, or look sleek and polished in white. Throw on your favorite pair of khakis and wear a pair of nice sneakers or loafers.^{[19]
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Section 3 of 3:

Fall and Winter Outfits

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Wrap dress and heels. A simple but sophisticated wrap dress is perfect for a more formal photoshoot. Embrace the cooler seasons with a deep red, orange, green, blue, or purple long sleeved wrap dress. Top your look off with a pair of black or nude heels and a dainty necklace.^{[20]
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- If you’re dressing for a holiday themed engagement shoot, a velvet wrap dress is a great choice.
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Long sleeved mini dress. Keep it flirty in a mini dress and heels. Choose an elegant lace for a look that screams bridal, or opt for a solid dress in a warm jewel tone. Then add some simple earrings and a pair of black heels or boots.^{[21]
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Sweater dress and boots. Look chic and casual in a cozy sweater dress. Neutral is the way to go with this option, whether it's a soft white, warm brown, or sultry black. Wear your dress with a pair of knee high boots and gold or silver earrings.^{[22]
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- Add a long blazer or chic wrap coat to further elevate this look.
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Chunky sweater and midi skirt. A sleek skirt and sweater combo is perfect for a more casual photoshoot. Wear a neutral, chunky knit sweater tucked into a burgundy, navy, or emerald silk skirt. Or, opt for a sophisticated animal print. Add on a pair of boots or heels and hoops.^{[23]
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- If you’re more of a pants person, this outfit looks stunning with a pair of satiny trousers.
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Sweater, jeans, and boots. Keep it simple and relaxed in a warm sweater and fitted jeans. Whether you choose a chic cream or deep plum sweater, simply add it over your favorite pair of comfy jeans. Wear your outfit with a nice pair of sneakers or brown or black boots.^{[24]
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Suit jacket and dress shoes. Look dapper in a suit jacket and slacks for a more dressy photoshoot. Choose a simple but elegant black, gray, navy, or deep teal jacket and matching dress pants. Wear a white button down and finish your look off with a pair of black dress shoes or boots.^{[25]
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- If you want to look extra sleek in your suit, go for a monochromatic outfit. An all black look is incredibly polished and stylish.
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Blazer and dress pants. A trendy plaid blazer over a fitted pair of trousers is a perfect relaxed but put together look. Opt for a sleek and sophisticated blazer in neutrals, or show off your style with one in deep jewel tones. Simply put on a pair of dress pants in gray or black and add a pair of dress shoes or boots.^{[26]
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- If you want to tone down the dressiness of your look, wear jeans instead.
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Sweater and chinos. Go for a cozy and relaxed vibe with a sweater and chinos. Stick to a neutral palette with a cream, gray, or black sweater. Throw it over a matching pair of chinos, or opt for a pair of jeans. Then simply put on a pair of sneakers or boots and you’re ready to go!^{[27]
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- If you want to elevate your look, add a long wool coat in a gray or black.