We love engagement shoots, because they’re not only a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera before your big day, but getting engaged is a pretty big deal and it’s important to mark it! So, once you’ve decided to opt for an engagement shoot the next big decision you need to make is… what on earth are you going to wear?

Engagement shoots are a wonderful way to capture all the love and excitement of a special time in your relationship, and an opportunity to get some gorgeous, relaxed shots which you can use for your stationery, wedding website or to simply have as keepsake in your home.

We’ve come up with a few tips to help you on you decide what to wear to your engagement shoot.

1. Plan ahead

We’ve all been there. You’ve planned a special occasion, had it in the calendar for weeks and then found yourself standing in the middle of your bedroom, surrounded by piles and piles of shoes and dresses, feeling a little overwhelmed about an hour before you need to leave the house. Planning is key, if you’re reading this blog and you have an engagement shoot booked with us … you’re in the right direction 🙂

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2. Be yourself

The outfits you choose help set the mood of your engagement photos, so wear pieces that feel like “you.” If you aren’t into dresses, don’t wear one! Instead, try a pretty printed romper or jumpsuit. If your fiancé is into accessories, let him or her rock a trendy straw hat or colorful shades— simply put, you can’t go wrong with pieces that show off your personal style. If that means turning up in your onesies or dressed as cats (I know I would, though I’m not sure Neil would approve), anything is fine with us.

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3. Compliment each other

Coordinating your outfits a little bit is fine, but unless you want to look like Britney and Justine Timberlake when they wore double denim, don’t wear matching outfits. If you don’t dress like each other every day of the week, we don’t recommend dressing the same for your engagement shoot. However, we’re not against wearing colours that complement each other and pieces that have common shades.

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4. Be comfortable

If you have to jump up and down in your jeans to get them to fit, you might want to opt for something you’ll feel more free to move in. Want to wear heels for your beach photo shoot? Swap them for flip flops (or even bare foot), which will help you look more natural and relaxed. If you are a heels kind of girl, awesome, but please remember to bring flats too! If a strapless dress is in your “maybe” pile, think about whether or not you’ll feel confident or will constantly be adjusting your dress. The better you feel in your clothes, the better you’ll look in front of the camera, so don’t overthink it.

Another part of being comfortable is not having to worry about dragging a purse around or constantly shifting your phone out of your pockets. Leave those items behind or in your car and you’ll feel a lot less restricted without them (especially if we’re in a busy setting). The less things you have on you, the more free and relaxed you will feel.

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5. Be prepared

The weather in Norfolk can be pretty unpredictable all year round, so prevent uncomfortable photo sessions by layering your look. That way, if you decide to have some photos taken in the shade and then hike to your next sunny location, you don’t have to break a sweat. Layers are also great because they hide areas you might not feel comfortable flaunting. For the guys, depending on the weather, it’s often simple enough to have another shirt under a sweater or jacket to change things up halfway through the shoot. Layers can also include accessories like a vest top or scarf, which always add another element to the photos

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6. Consider the location

Depending on whether your shoot is outdoors or indoors, think about what looks will best set off the backdrop of your photos.  If your setting is a grand hall in a stately home, a dress and a suit will look great, but the same outfits won’t translate as well to a woodland setting.

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7. Switch things up

If you can’t decide between casual and formal, go for both. Bringing more than one outfit never hurts, as long as you don’t have to haul a bag of clothes around everywhere you go. If you are unsure of what to wear, bring a couple of options to your shoot and ask our advice – we’re more than happy to help. Wardrobe changes are always welcome and will give you an alternative look for your photos.

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8. Don’t stress!

Don’t feel like you have to treat any of the above like do-or-die rules. By no means will we take away your matching biker jackets if that is your style. You need to feel good about how you look, which will translate in the photos. It’s not a fashion shoot, our aim is to capture the love between you both, your dynamic and your personalities. Hopefully this will have helped you know what to wear to your engagement shoot, but of course, if you have any questions or need guidance, just ping us an email or give us a call.

If you’re planning your wedding and have enjoyed this tip, do go to the wedding planning tips section of our blog for more straight talking goodness.