How to Coordinate Outfits to Get the Best Engagement Photos

Not sure what to wear to your engagement session? We’re here to help! You should bring two to three outfits to your session so we can get a variety of different looks for you. I suggest the following:

• Bring a ‘Dressy’ Outfit

It’s not every day you get to get all dressed up with your sweetheart and take photos together. Use this session as an excuse to really go all out and get fancied up! I’m not saying you have to wear a gown and tux (unless you want to), but maybe a dress or skirt for you, and a suit or nice slacks and a button up shirt for your fiancé. This outfit will be great for save the date cards, or the announcement in your local newspaper.

• Go Casual

We also suggest you bring a more casual outfit. This outfit is ideal for your more fun, relaxed photos. Tailored jeans and a nice shirt are always a great choice, especially if we are going to be walking around in nature a lot. Make sure to bring shoes specifically for this outfit, too. 

• Coordination is Key

The most important thing to remember is to coordinate. You don’t want to be matchy-matchy, but you want to coordinate. Choose similar colors and styles that photograph well together. For example, you don’t want to wear jeans if your fiancé is wearing a suit and tie in the same photo. Also remember to dress for the location. For example, if you are doing a natural, rustic or vintage session, you’ll want to stay away from bright colors and opt for neutrals instead. 

• Things to Avoid

- Logos, unless we’re doing a sports session and you’re wearing jerseys, etc.

- Patterns – Try to stick with solid colors or minimal patterns. Plaid shirts are fine as long as your fiancé isn’t wearing stripes or polka dots. It’s a good rule of thumb to only have one partner wearing a pattern at a time. 

- Fluorescent colors – These don’t photograph well and also can cast bright color tones on your skin.

If you have any further questions or want to discuss your outfits, you can contact me at matt@mdkauffmann.com OR learn more about all my wedding photography services at mdkauffmann.com.

FAQ’s

How many outfits should I bring to my engagement session? Plan to bring two to three outfits to get a variety of different looks. This typically includes one dressy outfit and one casual outfit to capture both formal and relaxed photos.

What should I wear for a dressy engagement photo look? For a dressy look, consider a dress or skirt for one partner and a suit or nice slacks with a button-up shirt for the other. You don't have to wear a gown and tux unless you want to—this outfit is perfect for save the date cards or newspaper announcements.

What works best for casual engagement photos? Tailored jeans and a nice shirt are always a great choice for casual photos, especially if you'll be walking around in nature. Don't forget to bring appropriate shoes for this outfit too.

How should we coordinate our outfits for engagement photos? The key is to coordinate without being matchy-matchy. Choose similar colors and styles that photograph well together. Avoid wearing mismatched formality levels—for example, don't wear jeans if your partner is in a suit. Also dress appropriately for your location; natural or rustic settings call for neutrals rather than bright colors.

What clothing should I avoid wearing in engagement photos? Avoid logos (unless doing a themed sports session), busy patterns (limit patterns to one partner at a time—plaid is fine but don't pair it with stripes or polka dots), and fluorescent colors, which don't photograph well and can cast unflattering color tones on your skin.