Excited for your upcoming engagement session but feeling overwhelmed by the idea of deciding what to wear?! Look no further! See my top tips below for what to wear at your upcoming Minnesota engagement session!
Be comfy
When it comes to your engagement session, my biggest tip is to dress like you’re heading out for a fun, laid-back date night. Think: something you’d feel great in if you were grabbing a glass of wine at your favorite spot or strolling through a cute neighborhood. You want to look put together, but still comfortable, so you can move, laugh, and just be yourselves without worrying about stiff, overly formal clothes. We’re here to capture genuine, warm moments between you two, and if you’re in outfits that feel too stuffy or out of your element, that can take away from the natural vibe we’re going for.
At the same time, you don’t want to be too casual, like you’re lounging at home in sweats either. It’s all about balance. The right outfit helps you feel confident, while still allowing you to relax and focus on enjoying the time with your partner. Plus, that “we’re on a date” feel just makes everything more fun to shoot!
Avoid matching, coordinate instead
So, when it comes to coordinating your outfits, think of it as creating one cohesive look between the two of you. You’re a team, and your clothes should feel like they belong together, but not in a matchy-matchy kind of way. Coordinating colors and textures can bring the whole vibe together without it feeling forced. Imagine if your outfits were part of one big “couple’s outfit”—you’re complementing each other without wearing the exact same thing.
Try to avoid both of you showing up in bold patterns or identical colors; it can look too uniform or, worse, visually overwhelming in photos. Patterns are great in small doses, but big or busy patterns can be distracting and take away from the connection we’re trying to capture between you two. If one of you wants to wear a pattern, awesome! Just make sure the other person sticks to a solid or something more neutral to keep things balanced and easy on the eyes. You want the focus to stay on the two of you, not on clashing prints or outfits that compete for attention.
Bring a couple of outfits and/or some accessories to change your photos up
Another fun way to add variety to your engagement session is by bringing along a couple of extra outfits or simple accessory changes, like a jacket, vest, scarf, or even a cute hat. These little swaps are super easy but make a big impact, giving your photos a fresh look without a full wardrobe overhaul. Plus, they let you express different sides of your personality, whether that’s casual and laid-back, a bit more polished, or something in between. Just remember to think ahead about where you’ll change—sometimes we’re out in nature or somewhere without a public restroom, so there’s a good chance you’ll be doing a quick swap in the back seat of your car!
Changing up your look with layers or accessories can keep the session feeling dynamic, and it’s a great way to get multiple vibes out of one shoot—without feeling like you’re doing a full-on costume change. A jacket or scarf can add texture, while something as simple as removing a layer or adding a hat gives a totally new feel to your photos. It’s all about mixing it up and having fun while still keeping things easy and natural!
Avoid logos and distracting patterns
When planning your engagement session outfits, one thing to avoid is wearing anything with logos or graphic tees. While those might be fun in your everyday wardrobe, they can easily date your photos or become a distraction. The goal is for your photos to feel timeless, and logos or big graphics can pull focus away from the connection between you two and make the images feel more about the brand or the design on your shirt. Plus, if a certain logo or trend fades over time, it could make your photos feel outdated much quicker.
Instead, opt for classic, solid pieces or subtle patterns that won’t compete with the moment we’re capturing. Neutral tones, soft textures, and clean lines are a great way to keep the focus on your faces and emotions, not on what you’re wearing. We want your photos to feel just as special years from now as they do today, and skipping the logos and graphics helps achieve that!
Use the color wheel
When you’re deciding what to wear, the color wheel can be a super helpful tool! You can use it to plan outfits that either complement each other with similar tones or play with contrast for a bold, eye-catching look. For example, if you want a soft, cohesive vibe, stick to colors close to each other on the wheel, like shades of blue and green. This can look amazing in a natural setting like a forest, where the greens of the trees will blend beautifully with blues, earthy tones, or even soft neutrals like beige or cream. It all feels cohesive and keeps the focus on you without clashing with the surroundings.
On the flip side, if you want to stand out a bit more, you can use contrasting colors—opposites on the color wheel—to add some pop to your photos. Think about wearing deep reds or warm oranges against the cool tones of a snow-covered lake, or a bright mustard sweater paired with green trees for a rich, vibrant contrast. Even small pops of color like a scarf or accessory can create that contrast while keeping the overall look balanced. Whether you’re blending in with your surroundings or standing out against them, the right colors can make your session even more stunning!
Examples of how the color wheel can help you plan your outfits! These colors can come from your clothes, jackets, lipstick, etc to help create a cohesive look:
When in doubt, light-colored neutrals are an easy win
When in doubt, you can never go wrong with light-colored neutrals. They’re timeless, flattering, and work in just about any setting, whether we’re in the woods, on a beach, or surrounded by city streets. Neutrals like soft beige, cream, or light gray are especially great because they don’t distract and let the focus stay on your connection.
And if you really want to lean into that “we’re engaged” vibe, white is always a beautiful option. It feels extra bridal and adds a sense of celebration to your photos, making them feel even more special and romantic. Plus, white pops against almost any background, giving your images that fresh, airy feel that just screams “we’re getting married!”
Examples of engagement outfits I’ve loved as a photographer:
Ready to book your wedding or engagement session? Reach out here and let’s get to planning!!
