How to Coordinate Engagement Photo Outfits You’ll Both Love

Step in front of the camera with confidence and style.
Engagement photo of couple on rocky hill
Photo: Andres Molina | Unsplash
sofia deeb headshot
by
Sofia Deeb
sofia deeb headshot
Sofia Deeb
Assistant Fashion Commerce Editor
  • Sofia writes and edits articles for The Knot Worldwide with a specialty in fashion and e-commerce.
  • Prior to The Knot Worldwide, Sofia was a writer for Santa Barbara Life and Style Magazine.
  • Sofia studied cultural anthropology and journalism at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Updated Jan 24, 2024
We have included third party products to help you navigate and enjoy life’s biggest moments. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission.

So, you've popped the question and are getting ready to share the news with your family and friends. After hiring a photographer to capture those IG-worthy shots, the next (and perhaps most daunting) step is picking out engagement photo outfits.

Engagement photos are the perfect way to remember one of the most special times in your relationship. Not to mention, they also offer a chance to get comfortable in front of a camera before the big day. Since you'll likely use these photos for your save-the-dates or wedding website, you'll want to look and feel your best, and the key to doing so is a really great outfit.

Finding an outfit that will look great in front of the camera might seem like a daunting task, but trust us, it doesn't have to be that way. To make the process easier for you and your partner, we're breaking down exactly what to wear for your engagement photoshoot, with ideas and advice from the founder and CEO of My Wedding Wardrobe, Katie Hubbard. Keep reading to get the inside scoop.

In this article…

Engagement photo of couple in field
Photo: Andres Molina | Unsplash

What to Wear for Engagement Photos

When it comes to choosing engagement photo outfits, your personal style is a key factor to keep in mind. The outfits you choose help set the mood of your engagement photos, so wear pieces that make you happy and express your own personal style. "Make sure you are comfortable and confident in what you are wearing because that will show through in your photos," Hubbard says. 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 wear a classic wedding-worthy ensemble, or go for something entirely unique. 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.

Engagement Photo Outfits for Women

A midi-length dress or skirt is a good go-to for when you want to look polished, but not overly formal. You can dress it up or down depending on the location and vibe of your shoot. For instance, if you're taking photos at an upscale hotel, you might choose to elevate your look with a pair of heels and eye-catching jewelry. If you're heading to the beach for your session, however, you might decide to go barefoot in the sand. Jeans and a nice blouse can also work if you're hoping to capture a more laid-back vibe. Regardless of what you choose, your outfit should reflect your unique sense of style.

Engagement Photo Outfits for Men

For men, we recommend keeping things classic. You can never go wrong with a nice button-down or polo shirt. You can pair it with jeans and sneakers for a casual shoot, or slacks and loafers for something more formal. Unless you and your partner have decided on a more vibrant color scheme, we recommend sticking to neutral shades like white, beige, navy blue, olive green and black. Again, don't feel pressured to wear anything that you wouldn't normally wear.

Engagement photo of couple walking in sand dunes
Photo: Andres Molina | Unsplash

How to Choose Your Engagement Photo Outfits

There are plenty of factors that will help you determine what to wear for your engagement photoshoot. "When choosing your outfits be sure to take into consideration the location and time of year," Hubbard advises. "If you are shooting in a more rural, outdoor location you will want a totally different outfit compared to an urban, city environment." Keep reading for more helpful tips on choosing your engagement photo outfits…

By Season

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 choose to rock a comfy sweater and jeans or a sultry velvet ensemble, you're sure to love posing in front of the fall foliage, snow-covered mountains, or glistening holiday lights. Some of our favorite shades for fall and winter include jewel tones like emerald, ruby, and sapphire.

Alternatively, if you're planning your engagement photo shoot for the spring or summer, there are plenty of ways to look stylish and seasonally appropriate. From vibrant floral prints to breezy nautical looks, spring and summer engagement picture outfits are the perfect chance to show off your casual-chic style at a location like a beach, desert or garden. If you want your outfits to bring a pop of color to your photos, we recommend choosing pastel shades like lavender, blush, and baby blue. Also, be sure the outfit you choose is lightweight and breathable. Chances are there will be plenty of outdoor photo-ops, and let's just say sweat stains are never in style.

By Location

Location is another important factor to consider when picking out your engagement photo shoot attire. You won't want your outfit to feel out of place at the location you've chosen to take photos (ie: if you wouldn't typically wear a suit and tie on the beach or a dress and heels in the snow, your engagement photos should be no exception). Think about the kind of attire you would normally wear to that location, and how you can make it look a bit more elevated for the occasion. This will help make your photos look like candid snapshots of real-life moments, rather than staged ones.

By Vibe

Once you've taken the season and location into account, be sure to think about the particular vibe or aesthetic you are hoping to achieve during the shoot. Do you want your photos to be more casual to reflect the laid-back nature of your relationship? Or do you want to get all dressed up because, hey, how often do you get to do that? Maybe you even want your photos to follow a particular theme to reflect a hobby or interest you and your partner share. These are the types of things you should discuss with both your partner and your photographer beforehand to help bring your vision to life.

Engagement photo of couple with forest in the background
Photo: Andres Molina | Unsplash

How to Coordinate Engagement Outfits for Couples

Our top tip for looking polished during your engagement photos is to coordinate with your partner rather than match. It's okay if your outfits aren't the same head-to-toe (in fact, it would look pretty unnatural if they were). If you and your partner don't typically match on a day-to-day basis, your engagement photos should be no different. Instead, prioritize coordinating based on color and style.

Sticking to a color scheme is a great way to ensure your outfits look coordinated with one another. While you can always choose a handful of shades that appeal to you, our favorite method is to allow a printed garment to be your guide. If one person is planning on wearing something with a pattern, such as a floral dress or plaid button-down, the other should choose their outfit based on the colors found in that piece of clothing.

When searching for inspiration, apps like Instagram and Pinterest will be your best friend. Here, you can scroll through images of other couple's engagement sessions to determine what you like and dislike. While the outfits you ultimately decide on should be based on what you as a couple like, not what others have done, browsing through photos for inspiration can help give you a better idea of how to coordinate your looks.

What Not to Wear in Engagement Photos

When it comes to engagement photo outfits, we always recommend keeping things classic rather than following trends. Remember: what's trending right now likely won't be down the line, and you don't want to look back at your photos and think, 'What was I wearing?!'. According to Hubbard, neutrals are always a safe bet. Plus, they won't clash with your background, making them an extra photogenic option.

Speaking of clashing, you should also avoid wearing the same color as the background. As the subjects of the photo, you and your partner should be the ones to stand out, and the clothing you choose can have the power to make or break that. For instance, an all-white ensemble might be a nice idea for other locations, but on the beach, it will likely make you look washed out against the sand. Likewise, a woody forest can offer a whimsical setting for your engagement photos, but if your outfits are too dark, it might look as if you've disappeared into the abyss. Oh, and don't even get us started on camo print.

Up Next
  • Three fall engagement photo outfits
    10 Pinterest-Worthy Fall Engagement Photo Outfits