What to Wear for Engagement and Couple Photos

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"What do we even wear?" is the first thing almost every couple asks me before a shoot. Good news, it's simpler than it feels! A few small choices make a big difference in how the photos come together.

Stick to a few colors that go together

Aim for three colors or fewer, and think coordinate, not match. Matching head to toe in the exact same shade tends to look a little dated. Colors that complement each other read as intentional and let you both stand out.

Complementary outfits

Colors sitting opposite each other on the colour wheel give you the strongest contrast, which makes you pop off the background. Soft complementary pairings are having a real moment, think lilac with pale yellow, or sage green with blush. They play beautifully with a black and white edit too.

Monochrome outfits

A single-colour palette looks clean and a little artful. Depending on the setting, it either melts into the backdrop for something soft and dreamy, or stands against it for something bolder and more striking.

Analogous outfits

Warm tones like reds, oranges, and ambers sink beautifully into a fall or sunset shoot. Cool tones like blues and greens are made for blue hour or the beach. Just keep it to three colours or fewer so the photos don't get busy.

Match the formality to the setting

Dress for where you're shooting. Semi-formal is a safe bet almost anywhere. And if you're planning to include any wedding-dress or dressier shots, make sure you're both dressed to the same level so one of you isn't left overdressed.

Accessories and makeup

Little things add depth: a necklace, some earrings, a nice watch. If the shoot is before the wedding, it's also a great chance to test-run your wedding-day makeup, and bring a lip gloss for quick touch-ups between shots.

Pick outfits you actually feel like yourselves in and you're already most of the way there. Comfortable and confident always photographs better than fussy.