Did you know that an engagement session is included in all of our wedding packages? We do this because having an engagement session prior to the big day makes your wedding day flow easier, and of course, provides you with even more AMAZING and lovely photographs of you and your soon-to-be spouse. It’s the perfect time for us to get to know each other a bit more. Your engagement session is a time for you and your fiancé to get comfortable in front of the camera, it gets you super excited and filled with anticipation for your big day, and allows you as the couple and us as the photographers to really get to know each other a bit better.

I love getting to know each of our couples during these sessions. We get to chat about their wedding plans, where they met, how they fell in love, the master plan behind their proposal, and so much more. We always tend to laugh a lot, and by the end of the session feel more connected than ever before. This is why engagement sessions are so important for us to schedule with each and every one of our wedding couples. An engagement session is not only a great time for you to get really amazing images, but it is also the time when we get to know each other and feel comfortable around the camera.

Are you or someone you know recently engaged?

Congratulations! In case you’re new here, we’re LVP Studios—a husband and wife wedding videography & photography team in Winamac, Indiana. If you’re a bride who is wanting to commemorate your life’s most important milestone, your marriage, then we’d love to chat with you about how we can capture your wedding with beautiful videos and images!

All of our wedding packages include a complimentary engagement session. Meaning, it’s included no matter what! We do this so that we can get to know you and your fiance even more. Also, having an engagement session prior to the big day makes your wedding day flow easier and gives you a preview of what to expect from us on your wedding day. Plus you get some stunning images that celebrate your time as an engaged couple. You’ll typically get over 50 edited photos during the 90 minute session at the location of your choosing.

All this to say, picking out outfits can be one of the hardest parts.

Of course, you’re probably asking yourself, “what do we wear to our session?” This question is probably the most difficult question since the options are endless. While we don’t consider ourselves stylists or fashion experts, we still want to share a couple tips and tricks that have looked best on camera in our past engagement sessions, and give you some advice on outfit styles we prefer. There are certain things you can do to ensure that your engagement photos look amazing. We recommend you take some time to plan your engagement session outfit carefully, as what you wear sets the tone for the photos. There is no one right way to dress, and we wouldn’t want there to be because everyone has a different style, but here are some tips to take your engagement session style up a notch.

Choosing colors

When choosing colors for your outfits, we recommend selecting natural tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. We love shades of orange and tan, soft pinks, and muted blues, mixed with neutrals of all kinds. A softer color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments, but if you want to add a little pop consider going with navy or burgundy.

Also, be aware of how you will look in your location and environment. We love to shoot at parks and places surrounded by greenery and trees; therefore, tons of green (and brown, depending on the season) can often get lost or clash with the environment around you. Color can set the whole tone of an engagement session, so you’ll want to think about the location, season, and vibe you want to achieve in your photos. Take the time to think about the season as well – light colors look pretty against spring flowers and darker tones tend to look best against fall foliage.

Our final tip about color is to wear something that makes you look and feel good! Pick a color that looks flattering on your skin tone without washing it out. Think about the way that colors look with your current hairstyle or hair color. And then also consider your partner and how these same colors will look against them.

Coordinating the looks

When it comes to dressing you and your fiancé, coordination is key, but matching too closely is a no-go. Pick a general color tone and level or formality and then both dress to that look, without matching exact colors. If you choose to have a color in common, make sure it is subtle and serves as a connection between you and your partner but not an identical look. We don’t want your matching outfits to be the first thing you’ll see when you look at the images.

Also, consider the same things in terms of patterns. I love when couples choose to incorporate a subtle pattern into their outfits for their engagement photos. But that being said, if you are wearing a pattern then your partner should not. For example, if you are choosing to wear a floral flowy dress, then consider having your partner wear dress slacks and a solid button down shirt, or a tight fitting dress with no pattern at all.

Generally speaking though, avoid patterns that will distract the eye, especially stripes, which are often unflattering in photos. If you have a pattern in mind it could work out perfectly, I just suggest carefully coordinating with your partner and making sure it won’t distract too much.

Be yourself!

The number one piece of advice we can give you in this engagement session style guide is to make sure you LOVE your engagement session outfit and that it makes you feel good. That confidence will radiate through your engagement photos and make you feel excited about being in front of the camera. No matter what, choose an outfit that is flattering for your body and easy to wear. We’ve seen gorgeous outfits that make people feel so uncomfortable that they’re pulling at it or feeling restricted–this is absolutely not the goal. So pick something you love, but also something you feel comfortable and confident in!

This style guide is here to help you feel confident when picking out your outfits, but we still want you to be yourself. If you feel overwhelmed after reading this, remember that these are just suggestions. Whatever you do, wear something that makes you feel beautiful, handsome, amazing, and confident. Also, keep in mind that all of these tips are here to help you coordinate with your partner. Don’t be afraid to show off your unique fashion, but be sure to consider the other person standing next to you too.

Styling for Her:

1. Don’t be afraid to dress up.

A dressy outfit is a must! We say this because your engagement is a special occasion. We want to celebrate and memorialize this moment in the best clothes you’ve got. I honestly don’t think you could over dress for your engagement session. Now is the time to wear that long dress you’ve been eyeing in the store or the one ready to be freed from your closet. I love when our brides wear long flowy dresses which catch in the wind and make amazing portraits!

Whatever you decide to wear, just make sure that you both come with an equal level of formality. For example, if you decide to wear a long flowy dress, don’t have your partner show up in shorts and a t-shirt. This is by far one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to their engagement attire. We don’t mind the casual outfits, but make sure that you and your partner are on equal levels at the same time.

2. Bring two outfits.

Probably our biggest tip is to pack two outfits—one dressy outfit that makes you and your significant other feel amazing, and also one outfit that shows your true personality. Like we mentioned above, dressing up will make your engagement photos timeless, but also give you an excuse to go out for a nice dinner afterwards. We love one outfit to be a dressier one, but an outfit that shows your personality will make your engagement photos stand out from the rest. We want you to be you no matter what and if that means throwing on some jerseys and running through the fields then let’s do it. Our photos are all about documenting the authentic you!

In a standard engagement session, you’ll have plenty of time for two different outfits. We typically plan to allow that time to mix it up halfway through the session – either with two different color outfits or one look that is formal and one less so. Your session will start with one outfit (you choose whether this is the dressy or casual one), then about half way through we’ll allow you some time to change while we take some detail shots of your rings, and finally we’ll end the session with your final outfit doing some of the same and new poses.

3. Show off the ring.

We will always try to get a shot of the ring on its own and on your hand during your engagement session. Your ring will be center stage, so give yourself permission to get it cleaned AND your nails done, too! To make your ring really sparkle in photos, you can have it professionally cleaned by a jeweler (they will typically clean it for free!) or use appropriate jewelry cleaner before your session.

This means you’ll also want to think about your hands. Be sure to put on lotion or even a tinted moisturizer if you’re self conscious about any blemishes or scars on your hands. And whether you choose to do your nails yourself or professionally, just be aware that we’ll be getting up close and personal for detailed shots of these areas. We recommend doing your nails in a natural color that doesn’t distract or draw attention–you want all of the focus to be on your sparkly ring and not on your vibrant or bold nails.

Styling for Him:

1. You can’t go wrong with a suit.

A tailored suit gives you immediately that classic & timeless look. In our opinion, men look most striking in a well-tailored suit. If he doesn’t have one, now’s the perfect time to invest in something he’ll wear for the rest of his life! The best part? It’s a lot less expensive than you might think! While custom suits can cost thousands of dollars, some of the most well-known brands have off-the-rack suits in their stores for a fraction of the price. Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong complement to most women’s outfits. However, keep in mind that a black suit might be a little much since it pulls more towards a very elegant, almost luxurious, vibe. 

That being said, if a suit isn’t for you or your partner, and you’d rather think about a more casual combination, try mixing a jacket or sport coat with a different pant color (chinos or jeans). Adding another layer underneath, such as a v-neck sweater with a pop of color or a button shirt will bring extra dimension and add visual interest.

2. Consider layers.

If done right, wearing multiple layers can shape, slim, and tone your figure. Men don’t often think of layering up, but adding those layers and textures creates a more put together feel. Layers add intricacy to your photos to enhance the point of focus. Layers on men look great on camera, so even when it’s hot outside, trust us when we say that it’s worth an hour or two of discomfort for photos that will last you both a lifetime.

Adding another layer will bring extra dimension and visual interest to your photos. Blazers, vests, and coats up the level of any look. If the temperature permits, he could even consider adding a v-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long-sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with layers! That being said, as you’re throwing on those layers be careful with patterns as pinstripes or plaid patterns since they tend to distract the eye and are usually more difficult to align. We talked more about patterns above.

3. Accessorize.

Don’t worry this one’s easy. Last but not least, dress your style up with accessories. This is another outfit choice that often men do not think about but will ultimately enhance their look and provide more of a put together feel. Try a basic chain necklace, scarf, belt, gorgeous watches, etc. Adding another element to your outfit can create an intricate style for your man!

All this being said–these photos are specific to you and your fiance, so make sure they capture your essence! Ties, bowties, pocket squares, colored socks, suspenders, and watches (maybe a pocket watch) are the perfect complements to any engagement session outfit. Oh, and speaking of watches, we personally prefer classic men’s watches over a smart watch when you can (even though I know how much love there is out there for your smart watch, we have them too).

BONUS TIP:

Some couples plan their attire to coordinate with their wedding day so that their “Save The Dates” match the wedding theme and decor!

I hope that this helps guide you to picking out the perfect attire for your engagement photoshoot session! Remember that whatever you decide to wear, make sure you feel beautiful, comfortable, and confident! An engagement session is our time to get to know one another and simply have a good time taking pictures, so don’t stress. If you need more help picking out the best engagement outfit for you and your fiance then please contact us! We can’t wait to see what you’ll wear for the engagement session!