It's the start of something new.
Updated Dec 06, 2023Exactly What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos, Based on the Season
Here's how to commemorate your milestone in style.
Photo: Bonobos, Reformation, SuitShop
An engagement photoshoot is an opportunity to capture your relationship during one of the most special times. It should be a fun, less formal precursor to your wedding day photos—and, as with most prewedding events—picking an outfit is an important component. Since you'll likely use these photos for save-the-dates, wedding websites or even on your wedding program, you'll want to look and feel your best. Any important photo op comes with a lot of pressure, so choosing what to wear for your engagement photos shouldn't be one of them.
To make the process easier for you and your partner, we're highlighting what to wear in your engagement photos with outfit examples and tips on colors, styles and more. From sweater dresses and wool suits for fall and winter, to floral dresses and cotton button-down shirts for spring and summer, read on for our endless outfit inspiration for couples.
In this article:
- What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos
- Engagement Photo Outfits for the Fall and Winter
- Engagement Photo Outfits for the Spring and Summer
What to Wear for Your Engagement Photos
When it comes to choosing engagement photo outfits, your personal taste is key. The outfits you choose help set the mood of your engagement photos, so wear pieces that feel like you. If you aren't into dresses or suits, don't feel pressured to wear a formal outfit because that's what you think you have to wear. You can both wear traditional wedding-worthy white ensembles, or go for something colorful that feels trendy and modern. What matters most, though, is that you coordinate your outfits ahead of time so you aren't scrambling to find pieces that go together on the day of.
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Seasonality and location can help you decide what to wear for your engagement photos (read: you might want to avoid stilettos on the beach or bare arms in the snow). Comfort is key, so wear warmer outfits with rich colors and texture in the winter, especially if you'll be outside. Brighter, more casual outfits may be better suited for spring or summer engagement photos. Keep in mind that bolder colors will give your photos an instant celebratory feel and are perfectly appropriate in most settings. If you're sporting prints, make sure they're big enough to show up on camera, but not too flashy—you don't want to get lost in an oversized pattern.
Your engagement photo outfits should feel representative of you and your S.O, so don't be afraid to express your personal style. Remember that the more confident you feel, the better your photos will turn out. To help you determine what to wear for your engagement photos, we've outlined standout outfit ideas for each season. Here are the best engagement photo outfits to prep for your moment on camera.
Engagement Photo Outfits for the Fall and Winter
If you're planning your engagement photo outfits for fall or winter, don't let chilly air or unpredictable weather keep you from looking stylish. Whether you're rocking a comfy sweater and jeans or a glitzy New Year's Eve-inspired ensemble, this is the perfect season for you and your fiancé to embrace fall foliage, snowy backdrops and holiday décor. Check out some of our favorite fall and winter engagement photos outfits, below.
Emerald Tie-Strap Midi Dress
Taking engagement photos around the holidays? This engagement picture midi dress is in a vibrant Emerald jewel tone that reminds us of the season. It also has delicate tie shoulders straps and an adorable midi skirt (which means you can show off a dazzling-yet-comfortable pair of heels!).
Carina Long Sleeve Midi Knit Dress in Cream
For casual engagement photos in the fall or winter, wear a cozy knit dress. The soft cream shade is bridal-worthy and perfect for autumn—plus, the cute bow you can create by tieing around your waist is a major fashion trend right now. We recommend pairing this engagement photo dress with gold accessories.
Germain Velvet Wrap Maxi Dress
Velvet is a no-fail material for any fall or winter photo engagement outfit. This moody floral print, paired with a V-neckline and wrap-style silhouette, will look stunning in your engagement photos. Also, it's currently available in plus and petite sizes.
Ivory Puff-Sleeve Dress
Don't let seasonality stop you when it comes to wearing white or ivory in your engagement photos. While your photoshoot doesn't have to feel overly bridal, this style can act as a sweet nod to your wedding dress. We're particularly obsessed with the trendy puff sleeves and the modern square neckline.
Monrow Supersoft One Shoulder Midi Dress
Winter engagement photos are the perfect opportunity to get into the holiday spirit—after all, you have a lot to celebrate! To pull off a festive photo shoot, consider warm tones when choosing what to wear. Engagement photo dresses with a hint of shine, like this one-shoulder sweater dress with your favorite accessories, will offer a wow factor without becoming distracting.
Whitney Morgan Plus Short Sleeve V-Neck Jumpsuit with Belt
Go for a structured jumpsuit if you aren't feeling a dress for your engagement photos. Plus, your engagement photo outfit should be super comfortable, especially if you'll be braving chilly temperatures. Dress up this rich navy engagement photo outfit with glittery statement earrings and heels.
Antonella Mock Neck Cutout Sweater
Looking to go casual for your fall or winter engagement photoshoot attire? This ribbed knit sweater is a statement-making piece you'll want in your closet rotation. It's available in two colorways, White or Black, but both would equally look incredible for your seasonal engagement photo session.
Deep Teal Women's Suit
We're obsessed with the idea of wearing a sleek suit for your engagement picture outfit. We love SuitShop because you can choose a specific size and length for the suit jacket and the pants—so they'll fit much better than off-the-rack styles. Better yet, the deep Teal color will pop beautifully against a snowy or autumn backdrop.
Comfortable Dress Pants
As we've mentioned earlier, comfort is key for a successful engagement photo shoot attire. Rhone clothes are made with a special flex-knit fabric that feels like loungewear but looks sleek and formal. Trust us: You won't want to take off these versatile and comfortable dress pants.
Wool Suit Jacket
If you know you'll need formalwear for a variety of prewedding events, invest in a few essential pieces as soon as possible. Wear a classic wool suit jacket like this for your winter or fall engagement photos, wedding shower and rehearsal dinner to get the most bang for your buck. This jacket comes in standard and extended sizes.
White Button-Down Dress Shirt
Thoughtful accessories can transform an outfit. Bold accents like printed ties and bow ties, tie bars and colorful socks can show off your personality. Turn to a brand like The Tie Bar to find the best finishing touches—just be sure to keep the rest of your look simple. We recommend pairing colorful accessories with a simple white (or solid-colored) dress shirt and dark slacks.
Erik Linen Cardigan
One quick way to elevate your winter or fall engagement picture outfit is to incorporate a cardigan, blazer, or jacket. This linen cardigan comes in the color Oat and is the perfect transitional piece for fall and winter. And because of the lightweight fabric, you won't overheat while your photographer is snapping away.
Wool Blend Zip-front Timber Plaid Flannel Overshirt
Flannels for the wintertime? Yes, please. For a cozy-themed engagement photoshoot outfit, you can't go wrong with this Italian wool blend overshirt. Wear it over a sweater to keep warm, along with some neutral-colored pants to balance out the blue plaid print.
Wavy Texture Sweater
If you and your SO are super laid back, there's no need to wear engagement photo outfits that don't feel representative of you. You can look polished in a cozy sweater, simple black jeans, and a pair of dressy sneakers. This mid-weight sweater has a ribbed Henley neckline, long sleeves with arm cuffs, and a straight hem.
Long-Sleeve Polo
For a versatile and practical polo you can wear again, look further than this staple from L.L.Bean. It comes in a rainbow of colorways, so choose the best shade that coordinates with your photo shoot location and what your partner is wearing. This style is available in sizes S to XXXL, in both standard and tall.
Blue Cotton Dress Shirt
We love the look of a printed navy button-down dress shirt with corresponding navy pants. The subtle print on this shirt will give your look something special to make it stand out on camera. And, it's available in standard and plus sizes.
Engagement Photo Outfits for the Spring and Summer
Whether you're planning your engagement photo shoot outfit for spring or summer, both are great times to shoot your photos—especially if you want a beachy backdrop or a cloudless, bright setting. From vibrant prints or breezy nautical looks, spring and summer engagement picture outfits are the perfect chance to show off your casual-chic style. We've rounded up our favorite engagement photo dresses, jumpsuits and dressy separates that are great for the outdoors.
Solana Satin Dress
We'll say "I do" to this romantic midi dress any day. Special details like the adjustable halter neck straps, subtle ruching, and lightweight satin fabric make this a gorgeous engagement photo outfit idea for spring and summer functions.
Slate Blue Ruffled Dress
It's never too early to wear something blue. This dreamy ruffled engagement photo dress will make you feel like a vision as you snap photos with your S.O. We're also equally obsessed with the ethereal flutter sleeves and the layered tulle skirt.
Puff-Sleeve Shirred Midi Dress
Opt for a white engagement photo dress to play up your bride-to-be status. This fashion-forward midi dress is literally everything, thanks to the trendy puff sleeves and chic square neckline. Best of all, it's made from 100% breathable rayon—so you won't overheat during your outdoor shoot.
Floral-Printed Off-the-Shoulder Dress
This off-the-shoulder engagement picture dress is perfect for capturing a momentous occasion like your engagement. Crafted from flowy chiffon, it's covered in the most romantic blush floral print that'll look incredible in the warmer months. Swoon.
Floral Wide-Leg Jumpsuit
If engagement picture dresses aren't your thing, no problem. Try rocking a stylish jumpsuit instead for your engagement photo shoot outfit. Check out all of those on-trend details, from the plunging neckline and short flutter sleeves to the wide-leg pants. It'll look incredible against the backdrop of colorful blooms and lush greenery.
Rainbow Puff-Sleeve Mini Dress
Spring and summer are the perfect time for pastels. This Rainbow-colored mini will highlight your best features and match the sunny season. Bonus: This dress can be rented for as long as you need it, making it an affordable engagement photo shoot outfit idea you won't regret.
Luxurious Silk Top
You can do so much with this silky-smooth top for your engagement photo outfit. Whether you want to pair it with sleek slacks or an elegant midi or maxi skirt, it's a versatile pick that still feels effortlessly bridal. Another bonus? It also comes in petite, tall, and standard sizes.
Stylish '80s Blazer
Everlane
Spring can bring sunshine or showers, or both. Stave off chilly air and throw on this stylish blazer with coordinating pants or layered on top of a cute dress. You won't freeze if temps start to drop, looking fresh and warm in this chic checkered pattern.
Straight-Fit Chino Pants
Want to keep it casual for your photo engagement shoot attire? Dress in a button-down shirt and straight-leg chino pants. If you're not one for formalwear, these laid-back chinos, available in standard and tall sizes, are still appropriate for a spring or summer engagement photo session.
Luxury Performance Polo
Don't stress if the thought of wearing a suit makes you uncomfortable. For a great engagement photo outfit that feels laidback, go for an elevated polo. We prefer this style because it has anti-odor and moisture-wicking properties—two essentials for an outdoor spring or summer photo shoot. Trust us: If you feel comfortable, your confidence will show up on camera.
Breathable Suit Jacket
A photoshoot at an upscale location requires a formal outfit. This light colored-suit jacket, crafted from a cotton-linen blend, is an ideal engagement picture outfit if you're planning to have them taken in warmer weather. Bonus: It's also available in Navy and Grey.
Textured Stretch Blazer
Because spring weather can be unpredictable, this blazer is a foolproof piece to bring with you to account for the occasional sprinkle (or downpour). It features a single-breasted design with a chest and side pockets—a great place to store your essentials while taking pics.
Cotton Button-Down Shirt
There's no season like spring to break out a cool color palette, like this printed button-up suit covered in an abstract micro geo print. Not only will the cotton material keep you comfortable for an extended period of time, but this piece will surely show off your impeccable sense of style.
Sarah Hanlon contributed to the reporting of this article.
