Figuring out what to wear for engagement photos is one of the most common (and overthought) questions couples ask before their session. The good news: fashion “rules” are meant to be broken. The better news: I’ve put together everything you actually need to know, based on years of photographing couples all over the Philadelphia area and beyond.
Bookmark this post! It covers everything from outfit coordination and fit tips to accessories, shoes, and a full breakdown of where to shop.
More engagement session guides on the blog:
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Engagement Photo Styling Tips For Women
Let’s be real—what do we all want in photos? To love how we look in them and not feel like we have to nitpick ourselves to death. These tips are tried and true, not prescriptive. Rock whatever makes you feel amazing.
Choose Outfits That Move
If you’re into wearing dresses or skirts, I highly recommend them for photoshoots. The classic formula of fitted on top and flowy on the bottom adds so much movement and looks amazing on camera! Check out tons of examples on my outfit inspiration Pinterest board.
Sleeves, or No Sleeves?
Do you immediately check your arms in photos? (I 100% get it, I do it too. But spoiler alert: no one else notices that but you, I promise!) If it’s something you’d rather not think about, an off-the-shoulder or sleeved style is a great option. Just make sure you can lift your arms at least to shoulder height — restricted movement is a real logistical problem when we’re trying to get you to spin around in a field.
Fitted On Top Always Photographs Better
Oversized or billowy tops look adorable in real life because you’re moving. In a still photo, they can tend to read as a shapeless blob — and no one wants that. Choosing a top or dress that’s fitted on the top and cinches at your natural waist will always look BOMB on camera. If you love a flowy look, go for it! Just know what you’re working with.
Watch Your Necklines
If you’re styling a wrap dress or top, make sure it closes as high up as you’d like and that your bra doesn’t show from any angle. A hook and eye is easy to sew on yourself or have a tailor add. It’s totally worth it for peace of mind vs. messing with fabric tape that might show through or pull fabric weirdly.
Need some swoon worthy ideas for your upcoming session? These romantic fall engagement photos in West Chester are some of my favs!
Wear Comfortable Walking Shoes
Engagement sessions almost always involve a lot of walking. Whatever shoes you choose need to be comfortable enough for 1–2 hours on your feet. I recommend bringing a cuter pair to throw on for a few shots and a comfier pair of slip-ons for the transitional moments between backdrops or locations.
Engagement Photo Makeup Tips
If you don’t wear makeup day-to-day, please don’t feel like you have to become a different person for your session. But if you do wear it, a few small tweaks make a real difference on camera. Two coats of mascara or a set of false lashes dramatically enhance your eyes in photos, even if they feel a bit heavy in real life. A slightly deeper lip color than your usual also photographs beautifully; just make sure it’s a long-wear formula!
I love the Benefit Cosmetics lip + cheek tint with your favorite gloss applied over top for easy maintenance throughout the day!
Hairstyling Tips For Engagement Pictures
If you have medium to long hair and you’re comfortable wearing your hair in a curly or wavy style – I highly recommend it! Curlier styles are much more forgiving in windy or humid weather. If it’s super hot and humid, your hair will inevitably frizz a bit and have a few flyaways.
A TikTok approved tip: spray a makeup brush with hairspray and brush it down over your flyaways to smooth them out without looking crunchy.
Thoughts On Shapewear
Human beings aren’t made of stone, so sometimes your bra or underroos are gonna leave lines. It is what it is! If that’s something you’d rather manage, shapewear is a simple fix and absolutely worth it if you’re wearing thin fabric or a form-fitting outfit.
Optional Engagement Photo Outfit Accessories I Love
You can’t go wrong with your signature jewelry or a fun mini handbag. I’ve also seen people bring props such as a wildflower bouquet or a cute blanket to snuggle under in the colder months or picnic on in the warmer months (check out Annelise + Jon’s session for an example of this!). If you want to bounce ideas off me, feel free to reach out!
If you’re still in the early planning stage, these modern engagement session trends are worth a look before you finalize your vision.
Engagement Photo Styling Tips For Men
What to wear for engagement photos depends on your comfort level. A well fitted suit always looks incredible in photos! If you’re more of a flannel shirt, jeans, and boots guy, that’s handsome af too! The only thing I ask is to pretty please try on your outfits at home before you arrive at the shoot. If the only shirt/blazer you brought with you won’t button, wellllll… I can only do so much my friend.
Lean Into Your Personality
Don’t be afraid to add some character — a cool hat (smaller brim), a novelty tie or pocket square, a family heirloom watch, a fandom prop, your favorite sneakers. Go to town! Your partner will also appreciate the thoughtful touches more than you know. More examples on my Pinterest board.
Buuuut… Steer Clear of Logos
Humans are drawn immediately to words and logos and I want them to stare at your faces. Sorry North Face or Patagonia, no logos allowed. UNLESS you two want to do a few college/sports themed photos in addition to your regular outfit, then that’s totally fine!
Your Iron/Steamer is your Friend
To answer the question that’s possibly on your mind right now, yes, wrinkles absolutely show up on camera. Iron or steam your outfit, hang it in the back of your car, and it’ll arrive in great shape. No matter what you decide to wear for engagement photos, wrinkles shouldn’t be part of the outfit formula.
Styling Hats in Photos
You can definitely rock a hat as long as you’re willing to go hat-free for part of the shoot. How are you going to make out and snuggle with your baseball cap brim bonking your boo in the forehead the whole time?
Engagement Outfit Tips for Couples
Coordinating colors
There’s no wrong color to wear, but there is a smart approach to coordination when planning what to wear for engagement photos. If you want a natural, cohesive feel, neutrals are your best friends — gray, ivory, slate blue, blush, and light brown all work beautifully together. If you feel best in something with more drama, bold jewel tones are absolutely welcome. You do you!
The key to looking cohesive on camera: coordinate your color palettes without matching them exactly. Partners should wear different dominant colors, but pull from the same overall palette family. Think tonal, not twin-y.
Where To Shop For Women’s Engagement Photo Outfits
| Brand | Vibe & Style |
|---|---|
| Lulus | Romantic, occasion-ready dresses and sets at an accessible price point — a go-to for flowy, photo-friendly styles. |
| ASOS | Massive selection across every aesthetic, great for mixing and matching when you’re still figuring out your vibe. |
| Morning Lavender | Soft, feminine, and very camera-friendly — lots of flowy engagement dresses and feminine details. |
| Roolee | Laid-back, earthy styles with great texture and movement. This brand is great for outdoor or nature-based sessions. |
| Revolve | Trendy, upscale pieces for Millennial and Gen Z shoppers. A go-to for fashion lovers and trend forward photoshoots. |
| Nordstrom Rack | You will never wonder what to wear for engagement photos with Nordstrom’s designer and elevated basics at a discount! Great for finding something polished without the full price tag. |
| Rent the Runway | Designer pieces for a fraction of the cost — ideal if you want to wear something special you’d never buy outright. |
| VICI | Feminine and polished with a resort-chic feel and lots of wrap styles and flowy prints. |
| Joyfolie | Dreamy, romantic dresses with a whimsical quality. Especially good if you want something that moves beautifully. |
Where To Shop For Men’s Engagement Photo Outfits
| Brand | Vibe & Style |
|---|---|
| Nordstrom Rack | Great for dress shirts, blazers, and elevated basics at a discounted price, and known for their amazing customer service and return policy. |
| Bonobos | Known for excellent fit, especially for chinos and trousers — a strong choice if bottoms are the hard part. |
| Banana Republic | Makes the question of what to wear for engagement photos incredibly easy to answer. Polished and classic: good for suits, blazers, and refined casual looks. |
| Gap | Clean, versatile basics that coordinate easily without trying too hard. |
| ASOS | Huge range from casual to semi-formal, with good options for trendier or non-traditional looks. |
| J.Crew | Preppy-but-interesting, great for chinos, Oxford shirts, and layering pieces with some personality. |
| Express | Modern and fitted — solid for dress pants, slim suits, and elevated casual styles. |
Ties and Accessories
| Brand | Vibe & Style |
|---|---|
| The Tie Bar | Huge selection of ties, bowties, and pocket squares at very reasonable prices — easy to find something that coordinates with her outfit. |
| Beau Ties | Thoughtfully made bowties and neckwear with interesting fabrics and patterns — great if you want something with character. |
| Moss Bros | Wedding-focused accessories with a slightly more formal, classic sensibility. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where should we have our engagement session?
Anywhere that allows engagement photography and that’s roughly an hour driving distance from Philadelphia is fair game. A location that means something to the two of you is always my favorite kind! Your first date spot, the park where you got engaged, a friend’s property you love, or even your own home (in-home sessions are genuinely great as long as there’s decent natural light). If a location requires a permit or entrance fee, I’ll leave that logistics piece to you.
Need inspiration? Here are 25 engagement photo locations in Philadelphia worth adding to your list. If you’re closer to Delaware, here are five photo-worthy spots in Wilmington to explore.
How long will our photoshoot be?
I like to schedule engagement sessions about an hour before sunset for the best light. Most photoshoots run between 1 – 1.5 hours depending on how much we move around.
What if the weather looks questionable?
True bad weather means rain, storms, or extreme hot or cold temperatures — and for engagement sessions, I want conditions as close to ideal as possible. That’s why we’ll always schedule a backup date upfront. We’ll make the final call the day before once the forecast is reliable. BUT if you’ve always dreamed of a romantic session in the rain or snow, I’m completely down for that!
Can we include our dogs in the photos?
YESSSSS! Pet parent here, fully supportive. I just ask that you bring someone along to watch your pup during the non-dog portions of the session — I always start with the dog photos so they can head home or take a break while we finish up. And if you have a cat and want an in-home session: yes, absolutely, let’s do it.
Read More: How To Include Your Dog in Your Engagement Session
Once you’ve sorted what to wear for engagement photos, the pressure really does drop significantly. Most of what makes an engagement session feel magical isn’t what you’re wearing anyway — it’s showing up, being present with each other, and letting the rest happen. That’s my job. You just have to look good doing it.
If you want a feel for how a full session comes together, these Nemours Estate engagement photos are a great place to start.
Ready to book your Philadelphia engagement session? Reach out here! I’d love to hear from you.
Lindsey Ford is a Pennsylvania and Delaware wedding photographer capturing engagement photos and weddings all over the East Coast, including Wilmington, DE, and is ready to document your special moments artfully. If you’re ready to book your Philadelphia engagement photos, inquire here!
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