Booking engagement photos? Exciting!!! Choosing what to wear for engagement photos? Somehow stressful?

As an engagement photographer and a married lady, I get it! I’ve been on both sides of the camera and know that it can feel overwhelming, confusing, or even a little nerve-racking to try to choose *the* perfect outfits for your engagement photos. But this experience is about fun, love, JOY—not pressure and perfection.

So to make this easier on you, I thought I’d give you the dos and don’ts I’ve collected over the years for what to wear for your engagement photos.

9 Tips That Actually Help You Choose What to Wear for Engagement Photos

A note before reading: Most of my couples choose outdoor engagement photos or adventure sessions, so while these tips are useful for all types of shoots, these are also tailored to those exploring nature during our session!

1. Prioritise Comfort and Movement

What’s the best outfit for engagement photos? The one you can actually move in! The one that makes you feel comfortable.

The best outfit might look different for everyone based on a variety of factors—shoot location, time of year, body type, preference!

But when choosing your best outfit, I’d like to you think about:

Can you do a little jog? Can you spin around? Or raise your arms without feeling stuck? Can you climb over a rock or take big steps in your outfit if needed?

You don’t want to be tucking in those little hangar straps, worried about your dress flying up, or too stiff to lift your arms.

If your focus is on those things, you’ll likely feel uncomfortable, distracted or nervous and you’ll end up holding tension in your body without even realising it. That will easily show in your photos and you won’t end up with those relaxed, care-free images you really want.

Clothing to Avoid for Engagement Photos:

Dresses that are too short or tight
Super fitted jeans that don’t pass the squat test
Dresses with long, unhemmed trains that trip you up
Styles you’ve never worn before in your life

Instead, go for:

Flowy A-line dresses (calf or ankle length are perfect for outdoor engagement sessions)
Looser jeans or trousers that allow easy movement
Comfy knits, layered sweaters, or fabrics that move with you
Your go-to clothing when you want to feel put together but comfy

Which brings me to…

a man watches his fiance fix her hair with her head lifted to the sky, with the ocean and blue sky in the background at the spanish banks in vancouver

2. Wear Something that Feels Like You

Yes, you want to look great. But also? You don’t have to “dress up” or look any particular way.

Don’t feel pressured to wear a dress if that’s not your thing. You don’t need to show up in a blazer or a matching set if it feels totally unlike you. If your friends would say “I’ve never seen you wear anything like that before”…maybe it’s not the right outfit!

You can look your best without looking like someone else. Wear the clothes that make you feel the most confident. There are a million and one examples out there, but don’t get too hung up on a style and forget this is really all about YOU.

Here’s some examples of different outfit types that worked perfectly for my couples:

The only real rule is choosing something that makes you feel comfy and confident. Consider the rest guidelines, not rules. The truth? You can wear whatever you want. But after years behind the camera, there are a few things I want you to keep in mind.

an engaged couple stands separately, gazing to the left, on a rocky beach with the ocean, mountains, and a tiny island in the background

3. Skip Logos or Visible Branding

This one might seem obvious, but I thought I’d point it out anyway.

No visible logos or text.

Unless you’re sponsored by Nike (in which case, heck yeah!), I’d suggest saving the super branded clothing for another day. It’s an unnecessarily distracting element and I’d say it’s a big no-go from me.

4. Choose Neutral, Muted, or Soft Colours (Generally)

Wondering what colours photograph best for engagement photos? This might be the most asked question when it comes to planning your outfits! Here is the answer I keep coming back to:

Start with earth tones and soft neutrals. These are safe bets and work in almost any setting:

Sage, forest green, and soft olive
Navy, slate blue, and beachy blues
Creams, off-whites, light greys, taupe
Burnt orange, mustard, burgundy (for bolder accents)
Muted pinks, lilac, soft mauve

A few engagement photo outfit colour tips to keep in mind:

Avoid neons: They’re harsh and don’t edit well!
Bright reds, purples, and hot pinks: These can often steal focus from the subject (you)! If you love those tones, go for a more muted or dusty version.
Blacks: This one is a little tricky, especially if you have dark hair or are shooting in a darker setting like a forest. It can wash you out or make you fade into the background. If you do want to wear black, try layering it with texture, pattern, or accessories to break it up.

5. Let’s Talk Patterns & Textures

When it comes to patterns, some are totally fine while others can be distracting in photos. Often, I suggest focusing more on textured clothing than patterned clothing.

Here are my thoughts on patterns specifically:

Go with non-busy florals and plaids.
If you choose a busy pattern, pair it with a solid.
Stripes are usually a no, though if you’re a lover of stripes, just choose wisely!

Some of the best engagement outfits incorporate textures. These are always a safe bet:

Knits, waffle weave, and ribbed sweaters
Courdoroy and denim
Natural fibers like linen and wool
Mixes of lace, silk, or velvet

a couple cuddled up on a log among a beachy field of grass and laughing together

6. Dress for the Weather and the Location

Ask yourself: “Does this make sense for where I am and what season I’m in?” If we’re on a mountain at golden hour in October, a strappy mini dress is going to feel and look uncomfortable. Same would go with heels at the beach engagement shoot.

Here are a few examples that might inspire based on location:

Mountain session? Cozy knits, boots, winter accessories like hats and scarves.
City shoot? Trendy coats, structured outfits, clean accessories.
Beach session? Linen, floaty fabrics, barefoot or sandals.

Check out this Gastown engagement photoshoot for an example of a city shoot versus this winter engagement session in nature!

a couple kissing passionately with the girl's hair blowing in the wind and the ocean, mountains, and trees in the background

7. Choose Comfortable Shoes that Make Sense

What shoes should you wear for engagement photos?

The comfiest ones! That’s my go-to answer every time. But in reality, it just depends on your engagement shoot location. Most of my couples choose outdoor engagement photos or even adventure sessions, so I’ll focus on my thoughts for that (but this goes for in general, as well).

During your shoot, you’re going to be walking, climbing, and moving around. You want to do that comfortably, without restraint, and safely, yeah? So the urge to wear heels or stiff dress shoes might not allow for the free-flowing, fun-loving experience you want to have.

In general, I’d recommend:

Flat, comfortable shoes or boots you can easily walk in
For beach settings, flat sandals or barefoot! No kitten heels in the sand.
One-inch heels MAX. High heels and stilettos are a no-go.
If you do wear heels, the chunkier the heel the better.

If you want some photos with dress shoes, bring them along and switch into them at the location!

8. Consider Logistics of Outfit Changes

Outfit changes are a super fun way to add variety to your engagement photos! While most of my sessions allow time for them, definitely consult with your photographer about timing and places to change.

Timing for Outfit Changes:
You don’t want your outfit change to eat up your photography coverage time. For example, if your shoot is one hour, most photographers start the clock at the beginning of the session. You don’t want to spend 30 minutes of precious time (you paid for) changing. Be prepared to make it quick and efficient!

Think About Where You’ll Change:
As most of my engagement sessions are outdoors, I’ve seen it all– changing behind a tree, in the car, in public bathrooms. Ask your photographer about the changing options at your location and consider whether you’re okay working with what you have!

a couple standing separately looking at each other in a field with a rocky mountain at sunset at the semphafore lakes

9. Use Pinterest (But Follow These Tips)

Pinterest can be a huge help when you’re stuck on outfit ideas, if you know how to use it intentionally! It’s important to narrow your search for outfit inspo to photoshoots similar to yours.

Here’s what you can search for:

“What to wear for engagement photos” + your location (mountains, city, beach)
If you know you want to wear a dress for example, search for “engagement photoshoot dresses for [your type of shoot or what you’ll be doing]” (helicopter engagement sessions, hiking engagement sessions, etc)
On Pinterest, there will be lots of styled shoots, meaning the couple is a model in a curated setting. Avoid these and make sure you’re looking at real couples in the wild!

When scrolling, I want you to take note of WHY the outfit works:

Do their colours complement each other?
Are they super matchy?
What hair colour do they have? Are they similar body types?
Do you have something similar in your closet right now (aka would you actually wear it)?

The key to using Pinterest for choosing what to wear to your engagement shoot is to study the inspiration a bit deeper. You don’t have to copy a look, but plenty can be adapted to your style, shoot location, or time of year!

The TL;DR on What to Wear for Engagement Photos

After shooting hundreds of engagement sessions, here’s what I want you to know:

You don’t have to follow any of these rules. I’ve worked with couples who wore what they loved and looked amazing doing it.
But if you’re starting from scratch and want a little guidance? These recommendations are where I’d start.
Be comfortable, be confident, and wear what makes you feel like you!

Because at the end of the day, I don’t want you focused on your outfit. I do want you focused on each other, the experience, and having the best time ever!!