Here's The Inside Scoop on What to Wear for Engagement Photos

Immediately after your proposal, you and your partner will be faced with yet another big decision: What to wear for engagement photos. Engagement photos are the perfect way to commemorate this special time in your relationship. Not to mention, they also offer a chance to get comfortable in front of a camera before the big day. Since you'll likely use these photos for your save-the-dates and wedding website, you'll want to look and feel your best during the photo shoot, and the key to doing so is a really great outfit.

Finding an outfit that will look great in front of the camera might seem like a daunting task (especially if you've never had your photo taken professionally by an engagement photographer) but trust us, it doesn't have to be that way. To make the process easier for you and your partner, we're breaking down exactly what to wear for your engagement photoshoot, with ideas and advice from experts along the way. Keep scrolling for answers to all your FAQs about engagement photo outfits, then check out some of our favorite engagement photo trends for 2025.

In this article: What to Wear | How to Choose Your Outfits | How to Coordinate Your Outfits | What Not to Wear | Engagement Photo Outfit Ideas

Photo: Christina McNeill

What to Wear for Engagement Photos

When it comes to choosing what to wear in engagement pictures, your personal style is a key factor to keep in mind. The outfits you choose help set the mood of your engagement photos, so wear pieces that make you happy and express your own personal style. "Make sure you are comfortable and confident in what you are wearing because that will show through in your photos," says Katie Hubbard, bridal stylist and founder of My Wedding Wardrobe. If you aren't into dresses or suits, don't feel pressured to wear a formal outfit because that's what you think you have to wear. You can wear a classic wedding-worthy ensemble, or go for something entirely unique. What matters most, though, is that you coordinate your outfits ahead of time so you aren't scrambling to find pieces that go together on the day.

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Engagement Photo Outfits for Women

If you want to look polished, but not overly formal, a mid-length engagement photo dress or skirt is the way to go. You can dress it up or down depending on the location and vibe of your shoot. For instance, if you're taking photos at an upscale hotel, you might choose to elevate your look with a pair of heels and eye-catching jewelry. If you're heading to the beach for your session, however, you might decide to go barefoot in the sand. If you're hoping to capture a more laid-back vibe in your photos overall, opt for a pair of jeans and a nice blouse instead. Similarly, you can dress them up or down to your liking. Plus, you'll feel relaxed in an outfit that's a lot like your everyday attire.

Engagement Photo Outfits for Men

In terms of men's outfits for engagement photos, we recommend keeping things classic. You can never go wrong with a nice button-down or polo shirt. Pair the shirt with jeans and sneakers for a casual engagement photo outfit, or with slacks and loafers for a more formal look. Layering is key to creating standout men's engagement photo outfits, so consider throwing a flannel shirt or sportcoat on top. After you've captured a few good shots with it on, you can remove it to seamlessly switch up your look during the photoshoot.

Gender-Neutral Engagement Photo Outfits

For gender-neutral and nonbinary couples, we recommend discussing your clothing ideas for engagement photos with each other prior to your session. Our best pisces of advice is to focus on coordinating rather than matching (we'll dive into that more later). For instance, if you both plan on wearing dresses, consider choosing ones in complementary colors and patterns, rather than wearing the same one. This will ensure that both of your unique personalities shine through.

What Not to Wear in Engagement Photos

When it comes to engagement photo outfits, we always recommend keeping things classic rather than following trends. Remember: what's trending right now likely won't be down the line, and you don't want to look back at your photos and think, "What was I wearing?!" According to Hubbard, neutrals are always a safe bet. Plus, they won't clash with your background, making them an extra photogenic option.

Speaking of clashing, you should also avoid wearing the same color as the background. As the subjects of the photo, you and your partner should be the ones to stand out, and the clothing you choose can have the power to make or break that. For instance, an all-white ensemble might be a nice idea for other locations, but on the beach, it will likely make you look washed out against the sand. Likewise, a woody forest can offer a whimsical setting for your engagement photos, but if your outfits are too dark, it might look as if you've disappeared into the abyss. According to bridal stylist and influencer, Alysia Cole, "you should also try to avoid anything that would be too distracting from the two of you, such as items with logos or super busy prints."

Cole also warns against wearing anything uncomfortable or restrictive. "If you love the look of a dress, but you know it's one you're constantly having to readjust or fidget with, it might not be a great choice to wear for photos," she explains. "Be cautious of outfits that will restrict your movement, especially if you want to capture dynamic or motion-filled shots," says wedding photographer Crystal Keo. "How you feel in the moment will shine through in the pictures, so make sure you're wearing something that makes you feel comfortable and like yourself," Cole adds.

Photo: Stocksy

How to Choose Your Engagement Photo Outfits

There are plenty of factors that will help you determine what to wear for your engagement photoshoot. "When choosing your outfits be sure to take into consideration the location and time of year," Hubbard advises. "If you are shooting in a more rural, outdoor location you will want a totally different outfit compared to an urban, city environment." Keep reading for more helpful tips and engagement photo ideas.

By Season

Dressing properly for the weather can help ensure you feel your best while posing for photos. Here, we've rounded up a few tips on what to wear for every season.

• Spring engagement photo outfits: From vibrant floral prints to festive pops of color, spring engagement picture outfits are the perfect chance to show off your casual-chic style at a location like a beach, desert or garden. If you want your outfits to reflect the season, we recommend choosing pieces in pastel shades like lavender, blush, and baby blue.
• Summer engagement photo outfits: If you're planning a summer engagement photo shoot, be sure to choose outfits that are lightweight and breathable. There are plenty of outdoor photo-ops this time of year, and let's just say sweat stains are never in style. When it comes to fabrics, linen and cotton will be your best friends. Consider wearing shorts instead of pants or a knee-length dress instead of a floor-length one.
• Fall engagement photo outfits: Don't let chilly air or unpredictable weather keep you from looking stylish during your fall engagement photos. Whether you choose to sport a cozy knit sweater or a classic flannel, you and your partner will love posing in front of the fall foliage. Be sure to come prepared with layers. A wool overcoat will not only keep you warm during your session, but it will also enhance your outfit.
• Winter engagement photo outfits: If you're taking your engagement photos in the winter, there's a good chance you've opted for an indoor location, in which case, you don't have to worry too much about choosing a seasonally-appropriate outfit. However, if you've chosen to brave the cold, the same advice from above applies: Layer up. Also, if there's snow outside, avoid wearing white as it may make you look washed out against the background.

By Location

Location is another important factor to consider when picking out your engagement photo shoot attire. You won't want your outfit to feel out of place at the location you've chosen to take photos (ie: if you wouldn't typically wear a suit and tie on the beach or a dress and heels in the snow, your engagement photos should be no exception). Think about the kind of attire you would normally wear to that location, and how you can make it look a bit more elevated for the occasion. This will help make your photos look like candid snapshots of real-life moments, rather than staged ones.

By Vibe

Once you've taken the season and location into account, be sure to think about the particular vibe or aesthetic you are hoping to achieve during the shoot. Do you want your photos to be more casual to reflect the laid-back nature of your relationship? Or do you want to get all dressed up because, hey, how often do you get to do that? Maybe you even want your photos to follow a particular theme to reflect a hobby or interest you and your partner share. These are the types of things you should discuss with both your partner and your photographer beforehand to help bring your vision to life.

Design: Natalie Romine

How to Coordinate Engagement Outfits for Couples

Our top tip for looking polished during your engagement photos is to coordinate with your partner rather than match. It's okay if your outfits aren't the same head-to-toe (in fact, it would look pretty unnatural if they were). If you and your partner don't typically match on a day-to-day basis, your engagement photos should be no different. Instead, prioritize coordinating based on color and style.

"My top advice for couples looking to coordinate their outfits without matching exactly is to embrace a shared theme or cohesive color palette. This allows for individuality while maintaining a visually appealing look," Keo explains. While you can always choose a handful of shades that appeal to you, our favorite method is to allow a printed garment to be your guide. If one person is planning on wearing something with a pattern, such as a floral dress or plaid button-down, the other should choose their outfit based on the colors found in that piece of clothing.

"To visually help the process, consider creating a mood board," says Keo. When searching for inspiration, apps like Instagram and Pinterest will be your best friend. Here, you can scroll through images of other couple's engagement sessions to determine what you like and dislike. While the outfits you ultimately decide on should be based on what you as a couple like, not what others have done, browsing through photos for inspiration can help give you a better idea of how to coordinate your looks.

Photo: JBL Wedding Photography

Engagement Photo Outfit Ideas From Real Couples

Now that you have some tips to help you coordinate your own engagement outfits, you might be ready to browse a bit of inspiration. Lucky for you, we've rounded up plenty of our favorite engagement photoshoot outfit ideas below.

Mountain Engagement Photo Outfits

Photo: Heather Wang Photography

Nikka and Steven stepped into nature to pose for their engagement photos. They chose outfits that would not only look great on camera, but also be comfortable on the walk there. Nikka wore a ruffled tiered maxi dress that billowed in the wind creating a sense of movement in the photos. Steven opted for a cozy blue flannel and slacks in a darker hue that allowed him to stand out from his partner.

Beach Engagement Photo Outfits

Photo: Mystik Captures

Kayla and Doug's engagement photo session looked a lot like their typical date nights: Barefoot on the beach. When it came to picking their outfits, they opted for neutral colors that wouldn't distract from the gorgeous coastal backdrop. Since they knew they'd be heading into the splash zone, they chose lightweight pieces that would dry off quickly.

City Engagement Photo Outfits

Photo: Sylvie Rosokoff

What's not to love about a photo session in the streets of New York City? Being that it's one of the fashion capitals of the world, this couple made a statement with their engagement picture outfits. They both chose dresses that reflected their own personal preferences. They finished off their looks with trendy sunglasses and bouquets of flowers.

Studio Engagement Photo Outfits

Photo: Crystal Keo

Hanna and Jake's monochromatic moment in the studio was nothing short of iconic. The couple chose all-black engagement session outfits in an effort to stand out against their white backdrop. Hanna wore a black pantsuit while Jake wore a black tee shirt and dark wash jeans. They both wore sneakers to reflect their laidback style.

Diner Engagement Photo Outfits

Photo: Crystal Keo

Natalie and Max leaned into the old-school diner vibes during their engagement photo shoot. Natalie sported a simple white dress with a vintage Chanel-inspired jacket on top. She finished off her look with a classic white headband and heels. Max wore a plaid blazer atop a crisp white dress shirt and slacks.

Rooftop Engagement Photo Outfits

Photo: Ruét Photo

Tayor's colorful floral mini dress was the focal point of her and Brad's rooftop engagement photos. Featuring vibrant shades of pink, orange and blue, it perfectly complemented their backdrop. Brad fused colors from Taylor's dress into his own engagement shoot clothes. His navy blue dress shirt and pocket square coordinated nicely with the blue flowers on her dress.

Destination Engagement Photo Outfits

Photo: Studio Brown

A jaw-dropping coastal backdrop isn't the only thing that makes this engagement photo stand out. The couple's outfits are also a sight to behold. They mirrored the lush green grass and the rich blue ocean when choosing their looks. By opting for shades that were different from the ones in their setting, they were able to avoid blending in.

Colorful Engagement Photo Outfits

Photo: Logan Cole Photography

This couple posed for their engagement photos in a garden, so it only made sense that their outfits would feature a bit of flowers. The bride's vibrant printed gown takes center stage in this particular shot. Its rich orange and red colorway creates a lovely sense of contrast not only against the groom's gray suit, but also against the green scenery.

Trendy Engagement Photo Outfits

Photo: Crystal Keo

Linday and Sean posed for their photos in front of some of the most iconic Los Angeles landmarks, so naturally they wore engagement photo clothes that were equally iconic. The couple kept all the latest trends in mind when picking out their all white-ensembles. Lindsay wore a tailored waistcoat, a pleated mini skirt and slingback heels. Sean paired some cool new kicks with his button down and slacks.

Western Engagement Photo Outfits

Photo: Anastasia Strate Photography

Lauren and Jack's engagement photo outfits can be summed up in two words: Cowboy chic. Jack popped the question on a chilly autumn evening in Aspen, and the couple wanted their photos to encapsulate the feeling of that night. Lauren wore a fur coat atop a long-sleeved white mini dress. Jack layered a Western-printed flannel over a cream-colored sweater and slacks. The two kept their cowboy hats on hand for photo-ops throughout the day.

Tropical Engagement Photo Outfits

Photo: Theel Wedding Productions

This couple's engagement shoot outfits give off major vacation vibes (which makes sense since they posed for photos on the balcony of a beach resort). The bride wore a white lace dress with dramatic side cutouts and a thigh high-leg slit–perfect for keeping cool in the humid environment! The groom opted for a button-down shirt with nautical stripes.