A couple sharing a romantic kiss outdoors, both wearing glasses and casual clothing, with the woman showing an engagement ring.
A smiling couple walks hand-in-hand on a wooded path in autumn, wearing plaid and puffer jackets.
Couple sharing a romantic kiss while embracing outdoors, woman wearing glasses and engagement ring, dressed in winter coats.
A man gives a woman a piggyback ride on a wooden bridge, both smiling and wearing glasses and casual blue outfits.

If you're anything like most of my couples, one of the first questions you ask after booking your engagement session is, "What should we wear?" Closely followed almost immediately by, "Should we match?"


The good news? The days of matching white shirts and jeans are out so you definitely do not need to match from head to toe. I promise, I will not be disappointed if you show up in something other than the days of yore Pinterest uniform. In fact, the best engagement outfits are coordinated, not identical. The goal is to look like yourselves while still creating a polished, cohesive look that photographs beautifully. Like you put thought into it, not like you raided the same closet.

Start with a color palette, not a single color.

A great place to start is with a color palette. Instead of choosing the exact same colors, think about tones that complement each other. Soft neutrals, earth tones, and muted shades like cream, olive, rust, navy, sage, and dusty blue all photograph beautifully and work well together without feeling too matchy. These colors also tend to look timeless, which means you'll still love your photos years from now… not just love them for the six months they're trendy on Instagram.


Keep your dressiness levels on the same page.

It also helps to make sure your outfits are on the same level of formality. If one of you is wearing a flowy dress, the other probably shouldn't show up in athletic shorts and a graphic tee (even if it's your favorite one). You don't have to be overly formal (we're not talking black tie here) but your outfits should feel like they belong in the same story. When both of your looks feel balanced, the whole session feels more intentional, and honestly, it just looks better in photos.

Couple smiling and embracing on a sandy beach, wearing casual flannel and vest, with ocean waves in the background.
Couple smiling at each other leaning against a tree in a forest, wearing jeans and casual flannel shirts.
A smiling couple wearing glasses embraces outdoors in winter, the woman in a plaid blanket scarf and the man in a blue vest.
Couple walking arm in arm on a sandy beach, wearing casual fall attire, with calm ocean waves in the background.
A smiling couple embraces outdoors in fall, wearing glasses and cozy layers, sharing a joyful moment on a wooded path.

Play with texture.

Texture is another easy, low-effort way to add interest to your photos. Knit sweaters, linen shirts, denim jackets, lace, and corduroy all photograph beautifully without overwhelming the image. If one person is wearing a pattern, it's usually best to keep the other outfit simple so the focus stays on the two of you and not on competing prints fighting for attention in every frame.


Timeless beats trendy, every time!

When in doubt, choose timeless over trendy. Your engagement photos will be something you look back on for years… maybe even print, frame, or use on your wedding website. So classic pieces that fit well and make you feel confident are always the right call. And don't forget the little details: clean shoes, wrinkle-free clothing you steam the night before your session, and empty pockets can make a bigger difference than you'd think. (Nothing ruins a great shot like a phone-shaped bulge in someone's back pocket!)


Above all, wear something that feels like you.

Most importantly, wear something that feels like you. If you're constantly adjusting your outfit or wearing something you normally wouldn't, it's hard to relax in front of the camera… and trust me, that shows up in the photos! The more comfortable you feel, the more natural you'll look, and that ease is what makes engagement photos actually feel like you, not like two people playing dress-up for a stranger with a camera.

Woman's hands with engagement ring resting on man's shoulders outdoors in wooded setting.

Still deciding between outfits? Send them my way! I'm always happy to help my couples choose looks that photograph beautifully and feel true to who they are. Outfit indecision is basically part of the job description at this point, so don't be shy :)


And if you're newly engaged and looking for an engagement and wedding photographer, I'd love to hear from you! Reach out and let's start planning photos that feel like you from the very beginning!

Couple embracing on a wooded trail in autumn, woman in plaid scarf and jeans, man in blue vest, sharing a tender moment.
A smiling couple in plaid and navy sits on stone steps outdoors, surrounded by autumn leaves.
A smiling couple in glasses touch foreheads tenderly, holding hands outdoors, wearing winter jackets in a romantic moment.
Couple sitting on stone steps in autumn forest, woman in plaid shirt and glasses leaning on man in blue vest.