8 Tips on what to wear on your Engagement Shoot

Engagement shoots are a great way to get to know your photographer. It get’s rid of your camera jitters, while you find out more about the way they work. You also get a day to spend with your fiancé and a whole set of lovely photos to keep and look back on as well. For your photographer, it’s a great way to find your best angles in preparation for your big day and to find out a little bit more about you as a couple. So what should I wear on our engagement shoot I hear you say?

Here are my 8 tips on what to wear on your engagement shoot:

What to wear on your engagement shoot | Maria Assia Photography

Think Colour

Have you noticed how wearing a really bright top, dress or skirt immediately lifts your mood? It’s hard to feel tired and grumpy when you’re wearing something vibrant and sunny. The camera loves it too! It adds warmth to your skin and makes you really stand out from the background.

Throw on that colourful dress that you’ve been dying to wear or why not buy something special for the occasion? Maybe your fiancé will notice, maybe not, but you will see it every time you look back on your photos and notice how gorgeous looked. ❤️

In the same vein, try to avoid solid blacks and whites as they can often have the opposite effect and wash you out or blend you right into your surroundings.

For undercover work the chameleon look might be just right, but for your engagement shoot, let’s make a statement.

Girl in a flowery dress and a red cardigan sits on stairs showing off her Engagement ring

Dress for the occasion

Ok, don’t shoot me, but in a minute you might think that I’m contradicting everything I said above.

Colourful gorgeous luscious clothes will make you really pop on camera, that’s a fact. But if you feel like that’s really not you and you really want to wear your favourite pair of jeans and your Doors t-shirt, then do that. Wear what feels natural and comfortable to you.

Your engagement shoot images will show you and your fiancé having fun, cuddling, laughing and being involved with each other in a very natural way. If you feel uncomfortable in your outfit, your photos will show it, so if you’re a Rock and Roll chick with lots of tattoos and you need to wear black make up and steel capped Doc Martins, then that’s what you should wear. Always be yourself and don’t forget to consider how your outfit goes with your fiancé’s.

Engaged couple chatting while they lie in a tall grass meadow at Knole Park

Make up

When you’re thinking about what to wear on your engagement shoot, also consider your makeup. Make up looks good on camera. Really.

So if you are planning to have a hair and make up trial before your wedding, why not arrange it on the same day, so that you feel fabulous at your pre-wedding shoot?

If you are not planning a make up trial, or your stylist just can’t fit you in, don’t worry.

Apply your make up as if you were going out for the night as make up usually looks lighter in photos.

A little mascara will draw attention to your eyes and lipstick or gloss will make your lips look really kissable, so consider applying some even if you’re not usually big on make up.

Make up artist applying a bride's lipstick

Logos, Patterns and Prints

Remember the big 80s hair and shoulder pads? How recognisable are they? Even if you were born later on, everyone knows an 80s outfit immediately.

Well, logos, patterns and prints work in the same way and can date your images for years to come. They also take the focal point away from you, and after all, the shoot is all about you, so they aren’t ideal. My advice? When you’re thinking about what to wear on you engagement shoot, try to avoid them if you can.

Engaged couple standing at Stowe Bridge

Second, third and fourth outfits?

You don’t have to bring a second outfit and often couples rather accessorise, but if you would like to mix things up (and don’t mind changing in a field, behind a bush, or between car doors) a second t-shirt, shirt or sweater for the boys is more than enough to achieve a different look.

For the ladies, if you’re wearing a dress or skirt, how about a pair of sexy shorts or trousers and a beautiful blouse or top?

Just don’t go overboard on outfits and spend your time changing what you wear on your engagement shoot rather than capturing lovely photos. Make it a little different to the first outfit, but still keep it about you and your man.

Couple laughing and hugging on their Kent engagement shoot

Accessories

A few well placed accessories can really make the difference and can completely change the look of your outfit if you don’t want to change midway through your shoot.

A hat, wellies, a colourful umbrella, a couple of vintage suitcases or anything else that makes you distinctly you are fun, easily added and can give your shoot a very unique look even if you don’t change what you wear on your engagement shoot.

Thames pier Southbank pre-wedding shoot

Shoes

Ladies, don’t forget your choice of shoes. Heels will make you look taller and more slender and they can be a great accessory to any outfit.

But make sure they are comfortable or bring a second ‘walking’ pair, so that you don’t spend most of your time at the pre-wedding shoot thinking about your aching feet.

Windsor wedding photographer, Maria Assia Photography

Sleep and Alcohol

What? What’s this got to do with how I look at my engagement shoot?

I know it’s fun to go out and I promise I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but the hung-over I’ve only had 2 hours of sleep and I’m so dehydrated look is just not that great on camera. Similarly to your wedding, set yourself up to look as gorgeous as you can. Your prewedding shoot is an experience that you are unlikely to repeat very soon after your wedding.

Lots of water the day before and morning of the shoot and a good night’s sleep are just the ticket and will make you feel healthy, strong and beautiful on the day independent of what you wear on your engagement shoot when you hang out with your fiancé, hold hands, hug, kiss and giggle like you did on your first date. Aww 😊

What to wear on your engagement shoot

Is there any more to this pre-wedding shoot stuff? Here are my tips on how to make the most of your pre-wedding shoot and if you’d like some inspiration for locations, take a look at my photography bucket list.

If you’re looking to book an engagement shoot, then please get in touch. They are great fun and I can’t wait to photograph yours.

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