What to Wear for Engagement Photos
Winter at Museum at Prairiefire
Engagement sessions are where the pressure drops,
the laughter shows up,
and you get comfortable being photographed before your wedding day.
But let’s be honest. The number one question I get is, “What in the world do we wear?”
So here’s the truth. There is no perfect outfit. There is no secret formula. And no, you don’t need to look like Pinterest threw up on you. But I do guide my couples through a simple three outfit flow that creates variety, movement, and a gallery full of photos you can actually use.
And yes… there will be a little sass involved.
Outfit One: Your “Look at Us Adulting” Outfit
We start with what I lovingly call the “boring photos”. I know. I said “boring”, but these photos are secretly the MVPs. This is where we grab those smiling, looking at camera, classic portraits first so you can stop worrying about them.
This outfit should be something that feels elevated, confident, and polished while still feeling like you. That might be black tie elegance, a dress and button down, or jeans and a sweater if that is your elevated vibe. These are the photos you will use for save the dates, wedding websites, invitations, grandma’s fridge, and your mom’s Facebook profile photo for the next six years.
Outfit Two: The Personality Outfit (Where the FUN Begins)
This is where the session shifts from posed to playful. Your second outfit should feel moderately dressy, comfortable enough for movement, and stylish without being stiff. Think business casual with personality. I always bring a portable changing room for convient clothing swaps!
Examples include jeans with a sweater or blouse, a casual dress with boots, chinos with a button down, or something classy but flexible. During this part we walk, sit, dance, skip, laugh, do piggyback rides, lay in the grass, and lean into natural prompts that create connection.
Tip: Most men do not change between outfit one and two unless they started extremely formal. If outfit one was tux level fancy, we simply relax things here.
Outfit Three: The Cozy Relaxed Outfit
The final outfit is about comfort, intimacy, and relaxed storytelling. This look should feel soft, casual, snuggly, and movement friendly. It should also be grass friendly because that matters more than people think.
Think leggings with an oversized sweater, sweatpants with a cute tee, cozy knits, or relaxed lounge style outfits. This portion often includes blanket photos, sitting close together, snuggling, feet in the water, and relaxed sunset storytelling moments.
Tip: Guys usually change here because we want a visible shift into casual comfort.
**Common question: Engagement sessions last between one and three hours depending on how many locations we go to and how many outfits you choose to wear.
Props: What To Bring
I like to keep engagement sessions simple and natural, which means I personally bring one neutral blanket that is usually white or gray. Neutral blankets photograph beautifully, work with nearly every outfit, and add cozy texture without stealing attention from you. That blanket gets used for sitting snuggled together, laying in the grass, casual storytelling photos, and sunset cozy shots. Outside of that, I keep props minimal on my end.
If you want to incorporate additional personality pieces, I encourage you to bring items that feel meaningful or fun such as cute books, umbrellas, coffee cups, flowers, picnic items, hats, pets, or champagne for a sunset pop. One of my favorite ideas is a super cheap bottle of champagne. Pop it at sunset and you get sparkle, laughter, celebration energy, and a ridiculously fun ending photo. You do not need expensive champagne for this moment. We are here for vibes, not financial decisions.
The goal is not to create a styled shoot. The goal is to add small touches that reflect your relationship. Props should enhance your session, not take over your session. You are the main character here.
Pets or Children at Your Engagement Session
I absolutely love when couples want to include pets or children in their engagement session. They are part of your story, and when done thoughtfully, those images can be incredibly meaningful.
That said, including pets or little humans does require a bit of planning. The most important thing is that I know ahead of time if they will be joining us so we can talk through expectations, location considerations, timing, and what will help the session run smoothly. When pets or children are involved, I typically recommend starting the session with them so we can capture those photos first while energy is high and attention spans are still cooperating. After that, they can head out with a helper so the rest of the session can stay relaxed and focused on the two of you.
For pets, I strongly suggest bringing a leash or a crate, treats, water, and a trusted handler who can step in when we transition into photos without them. We NEVER leave pets in hot cars when we are not taking pictures with them.
For children, having another adult present is key. Engagement sessions are designed around movement, connection, and flexibility, and having someone available to entertain, hold, or supervise little ones allows you to stay present and enjoy the experience without stress.
Including pets or children does not change the heart of your session, but it does shift logistics slightly, which is why communication beforehand is so important.
And as always, these images are meant to celebrate your story. Planning ahead simply ensures we can capture those moments in a way that still feels relaxed, natural, and fun.
What NOT to Wear for Engagement Photos
Let’s talk gentle truths for a minute. There are no strict rules when it comes to engagement session outfits, but there are a few things that can unintentionally distract from your photos or make you uncomfortable during the session.
Try to avoid matching outfits that feel overly coordinated or staged. The goal is connection, not looking like a themed holiday card from 1997.
Neon colors can reflect onto skin and create color casts that are difficult to correct. Loud graphics and oversized logos can also pull attention away from your faces, which is where the emotion and storytelling live.
Wrinkled clothing, outfits that constantly need adjusting, or pieces that restrict movement can take you out of the moment and make posing feel awkward. Engagement sessions involve walking, sitting, snuggling, dancing, and sometimes laying in the grass, so comfort matters more than people expect.
Brand new shoes that have never been worn before can also be risky. Blisters are not romantic and they definitely do not photograph well. If you never wear heels, this is not the moment to debut a dramatic heel era.
If you live in cozy clothes, lean into that in a polished way instead of forcing a style that does not feel authentic and your ankles deserve peace.
The biggest tip of all is this: Do not wear something that feels like a costume version of yourself. Confidence photographs better than any outfit ever will.
Why Engagement Sessions Matter More Than Just Photos
Engagement sessions are not just about getting pretty pictures for save the dates. They are one of the most important parts of our wedding journey together and a key step in preparing for natural, confident wedding photos. This is the time when we get to know each other in a relaxed, low pressure environment. You learn how I guide, prompt, and pose, and I learn your personalities, your comfort levels, and the way you naturally interact with each other. That familiarity makes a huge difference on the wedding day. Instead of feeling like you are being photographed by a stranger, it feels like working with someone who already understands your dynamic, your humor, and how you connect.
Engagement sessions also give me the chance
to teach posing basics that couples almost
always use again on their wedding day.
One of my favorites is the classic dip. Yes, there is absolutely a right way and a wrong way to dip for photos. During your session, I will walk you through how to dip safely, comfortably, and in a way that photographs beautifully so it feels natural instead of awkward or forced. And just so we are clear, dip fails are completely normal. Everyone wobbles. Everyone laughs. Someone almost drops someone at least once. I have seen surprise dips, panic dips, accidental spin dips, and the occasional “we both forgot what we were doing” dip. It is perfectly okay to try it over and over until it feels right. That repetition builds confidence, creates genuine laughter, and leads to the best final image. And this is also where outfit comfort really matters. If you can move, laugh, and dip without worrying about your clothes, your photos will instantly feel more relaxed and authentic.
By the end of your engagement session, most couples tell me they feel significantly more confident in front of the camera, which is exactly the goal. Even the guys say this! And here is the truth I tell every couple: Your engagement session is not a performance. It is not a Pinterest contest. It is not a fashion show. And it is definitely not about impressing strangers on Instagram. Everything I suggest is guidance and never a rule. The only real goal is this.
Your photos should feel like you.
When we keep that at the center, the images feel natural, emotional, and timeless, because the best engagement photos are not the perfectly posed ones, they are the ones where you forgot the camera was even there.
