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What To Wear For Your Engagement Session.

By Ashleigh Cropper

January 24^th, 2017

Options for Engagement Clothes

How exciting you are engaged! I hope you saw this post I wrote about finding the best wedding photographer for you. And now you are on your way to booking your engagement session with your new fiance! But wait a minute! The stress kicks in because what do you wear?! And what should your fiance wear?!

As a Colorado wedding photographer, I have captured numerous engagement sessions and can tell you what has looked amazing in front of the camera. I love seeing the final product when my amazing couples send me their engagement images for their save-the-date, wedding announcement, and/or websites. So let me help you out with my recommendations from a photography point of view, for what to wear at your engagement session!

I have broken the options down into two categories for your clothing options: Option 1) formal and Option 2) casual.

Scroll down to see examples and details of each option that will ease any engagement clothing concerns!

What To Wear For Your Engagement Session.

Formal Engagement Clothing Option.

Ladies

Listen up! My #1 recommendation if you go formal is to wear a dress with movement!

It is so flattering and is really fun to play with your dress in those gorgeous Colorado mountains. Colors can play such a large role in the images. Neutrals such as creams, grays, shades of white, taupe are my best recommendation. The less distracting the colors are, the better. Then the image focuses on the couple rather than the clothing.

Running through the tall grasses with a dress that moves, and your love holding you by the hand is breathtaking! I always recommend that if you purchase a dress for this, to make sure to wear it out (even in the house) so you become comfortable. The camera can tell when you or your fiance are not comfortable in your clothes!

Guys

There is NOTHING that looks better than a well tailored and fitted suit (this goes for your wedding suit as well).

Tailored doesn't mean tight. It means it fits you the way it's supposed to.

If not a suit, then well fitted clothing. Baggy does not look good. If you want to try out some custom-tailored clothes, I recommend my friends at Bespoke Edge here in Colorado. I also don't recommend being overly "matchy" with your fiance. Mix-matching neutral outfits is the best option. I loved this more modern, unique take on a formal look seen below with the guy in all black and the gal in all white.

Casual engagement clothing options.

I think there is nothing more fun than a laid back and casual approach to your engagement session. I let my couples bring two outfit choices so this can be incorporated. Especially in the Colorado mountains for a carefree and outdoor, mountain couple, this is a great way to approach your session.

Ladies

There are many options for a casual look.

A summer dress, a jean jacket, cozy sweater, muslin pants, jeans...the list goes on! Layers are always recommended! If it is warm out, wear a summer dress that is carefree and you can do a little twirl in. If it is winter, bring a beanie! If it is spring/summer/fall bring along a hat! I have had many of you ask some online places to go shopping and where I recommend for clothes. See at the end of this write-up for my must go-to stores!

Guys

I love a good plaid on you! Nothing too wild and crazy. Usually the darker the pattern, the better.

If it feels too lumberman-ish then go for a nice button down. If you are in Colorado, I say embrace that! If it is cool out, bring a beanie! Put on a well fitted coat too. What photographs well are layers, and I love a look of plaid shirt with a sweater over it, and then a jacket on top. It looks sharp but still casual. And maybe ditch the casual Nike shoes, for some more formal leather shoes. It will add that final touch to your look.

Other TIPS FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS.

There are a few other tips I want to share with you as far as appearance goes for your engagement images.

Makeup: I have had so many ladies tell me that they put on "extra" makeup for their engagement session, yet still doesn't seem like enough. I cannot express HOW IMPORTANT it is to go an hour or two before your engagement session to a professional makeup artist. One, they know how your makeup will show in my camera. They are just that good! And second, they have tricks to make you look absolutely flawless. They know just the color to make your eyes pop in front of my camera. If you are local I recommend Alchemy Face Bar in downtown Boulder and Highland neighborhood in Denver. They have done the makeup for many of my couples and never disappoint.
I didn't mention too much about shoes, but make sure to bring a comfy pair to walk around in, and another pair to change into for your photos. If you are in Colorado, you know that you will do a little hiking, walk along some trails, and may face rocky terrain if you are with me. So I always tell my couples to wear your comfy shoes, and then you will switch into your more formal shoes. If you are in casual attire and can wear some good looking boots, then you are all set!Jewelry! Adding a necklace, some bracelets or earrings can really elevate your overall look. I cannot recommend
Please avoid stripes, wording and busy designs. They are either never flattering or very distracting.
Here are my top recommendations for places to find some amazing clothing items for your sessions. A few locations are online and are excellent choices as well.

Ladies

Nordstrom & Nordstrom Rack
Free People
Madewell
Anthropologie
Roolee Boutique (online option! they are awesome!)
Soel Boutique (also online and super awesome!)
The Stock Place (just thank me later!)

Guys

J-Crew Mercantile
Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack
Bespoke Edge
Bonobos
H&M

Do you feel less stressed now and more confident in your clothing options?! I hope so! You will look amazing! And if you ever need help, refer back here for this information!