What to Wear for Your Engagement Shoot: Some Loose Guidance from a Wiltshire Photographer

"What should we wear?!" is probably the question I get asked most before an engagement shoot. And I completely get it. Being in front of a camera can feel daunting enough without also having to figure out what to put on.

So here's my honest take. Not a rulebook, just some things I've noticed over the years that might help.

The main thing: wear something you actually feel good in

Genuinely, this matters more than anything else I could tell you. If you feel unlike yourself or uncomfortable in what you're wearing, it tends to show in photos. Not because there's anything wrong with you, but because it's hard to relax when you're tugging at your outfit or wishing you'd worn something different.

My loose rule of thumb is: would you wear it to dinner at a nice restaurant? If yes, you're probably sorted. Smart casual tends to work really well, jeans and a shirt, a dress, a nice top and trousers, whatever combination feels like you on a good day.

Coordinating loosely as a couple

You don't have to match, in fact, please don't, it tends to look a bit costume-y! But it can be nice to think vaguely about tones so your outfits feel like they belong together in the same photo. If one of you is in navy, something in pale pink or warm cream alongside it works well. If one of you is going for earthy tones, the other picking something from a similar palette keeps things consistent without being matchy.

That's genuinely as complicated as it needs to get.

A few things worth knowing

There are a couple of things I've noticed that can be a bit tricky photographically. Not dealbreakers, just worth knowing about.

Very fine patterns like tiny stripes or small checks can sometimes create a weird visual effect on camera that makes the fabric look like it's moving! It's called moiré, and it's harmless but a bit trippy looking. Busy logos and slogans can also draw the eye away from you, which isn't really the point.

Really saturated bright colours, bold reds, yellows, bright greens, can sometimes cast their colour onto skin, so you might end up with a slightly rosy tint on your chin or neck. It's not the end of the world, but softer, more muted tones tend to photograph really nicely.

Black is absolutely fine, but on its own, it can sometimes feel a bit flat. Layering it with something else or adding a colour somewhere usually lifts it.

Thinking about the season

All my shoots are outdoors, so it's worth dressing for the weather rather than for the photos if that makes sense! In spring and summer, lighter layers work really well. A yjin jumper or light jacket tied around the waist gives a relaxed feel and is genuinely useful if it gets breezy. In autumn and winter, lean into the cosiness, chunky knits, warm coats, and boots. Those kinds of textures look really lovely in photos, and you'll actually be comfortable and warm, which makes a big difference.

The terrain can sometimes be a bit uneven, fields, gravel paths, and sometimes damp grass, so comfortable footwear is genuinely my only real ask. Flat boots, trainers, anything you can walk in happily.

If you hate having your photo taken

You're in very good company. I'd say the majority of my couples feel nervous before their engagement shoot. Most of them tell me afterwards they actually had fun, which I'm always glad to hear.

The point of the shoot isn't to get perfect posed photos; it's just to get you a bit more comfortable in front of the camera before the wedding day, so it doesn't feel quite so alien when it really matters. We'll walk around, have a chat, I'll probably say something ridiculous at some point, and the photos will look like you because they will be you.

So honestly, don't overthink the outfits. Wear something you like, loosely coordinate, and leave the rest to me. I've never had a couple turn up and looked at them and thought "oh no." Not once.

If you'd like to chat about booking an engagement shoot in Wiltshire or across the South West, get in touch or take a look at my wedding packages to see what's included.