What to Wear for Your Colorado Engagement Session

I absolutely love engagement photos! They are such a great chance to celebrate your love story and make fun memories together, as well as for you and your photographer (oh, hey there!) to get to know each other better! I definitely want you to feel relaxed and confident as we capture these epic shots, so let’s walk through what to wear for your Colorado engagement session so that your photos can be everything you’re dreaming of.

What to Wear for Your Colorado Engagement Session: Tips for Girls

Ladies first! Here are a few tips for brides-to-be that can help you look and feel absolutely gorgeous during your photoshoot:

Dresses

The most important thing is to wear a dress that you feel comfortable in. If that’s a long, flowing maxi dress, that’s great! If it’s a cute little sundress, that’s great too! I do recommend that you wear shorts or spandex under your dress and wear a strapless bra or dress tape if needed. This just ensures that you feel confident and aren’t constantly needing to adjust your dress.

Casual Outfits

If dresses aren’t your thing, no worries! Jeans or slacks and a favorite blouse look adorable too! We usually do two outfits during a shoot, so if you’re stuck on what to wear for your Colorado engagement session remember you’re not limited to just one outfit. Maybe it would be fun to wear something cute and casual for some of your photos, and something a bit more dressed-up and elegant for the others.

Shoes

Heels and wedges are flattering for every body type! As with your outfits, make sure the shoes you pick are comfy. And it’s always a good idea to bring a pair of walking shoes too, as we may have to hike to get some of those beautiful Colorado views!

Accessories

Accessories can be a great way to get the vibe you’re going for and add some pretty or interesting details to your engagement photos. Hats, flower crowns, a simple necklace, earrings, or rings are all great choices. Just make sure that your accessories don’t stand out too much. We want the focus to be on your lovely face!

What to Wear for Your Colorado Engagement Session: Tips for Guys

I know dress-up isn’t every guy’s favorite thing. Don’t worry, looking snazzy for your engagement photos can be a cinch (and will make your sweetheart so happy!)

Tops

You’ll have two outfit choices, and I definitely recommend a button-up shirt for one of them! For a casual look, a Henley shirt or sweater are also great choices. And hey, if you’re not excited about changing halfway through the session, try a well-tailored suit. We can do some shots with the suit jacket on and some with the suit jacket off. Easy peasy.

Bottoms

IMHO, shorts are for swimming, not for taking engagement photos! Long pants make you look taller and more masculine anyway, so unless we’re headed to the beach, leave the shorts at home and opt for jeans, slacks, or suit pants, depending on the look you and your bride-to-be are going for. Different colors can be really fun too! Think about pairing tan or green pants with a nice jacket.

Shoes

Any dress shoes will look great with slacks or a suit! Brown is my personal favorite, but just choose whatever goes best with the rest of your look. And be sure your socks are dark! White socks will draw attention to your feet like nothing else, and we want the attention to be on your face!

Accessories

They’re not just for the girls! Sunglasses, a pocket square, vest, or tie can really add the finishing touch to your ensemble.

Some General Tips

A few more things to keep in mind as the two of you choose outfits for your engagement photos:

Colors

Lighter colors tend to be the most flattering and also work well with my portrait style. When choosing colors, think earth tones, neutrals, and calm, soothing colors. (It also helps to know which colors go best with your particular skin tone. If you have a warmer skin tone, then colors like cream, peach, or coral usually look lovely, and if you have a lighter skin tone, then colors like light blue, lavender, and pink are often the most flattering.) Whatever you do, avoid super bright colors and neon shades!

Patterns

When it comes to patterns, my rule of thumb is: the simpler the better. Neutrals and florals are always gorgeous, but avoid any very small patterns, horizontal stripes, and plaid. And if one of you is wearing something patterned, have the other person dress in something plain so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.

Where to Shop

A few of my favorite places to shop for engagement photo outfits include:

• Francesca’s (women’s clothing only)
• Altar’d State
• Shein
• Amazon
• H&M
• Marshalls
• T.J. Maxx

That said, I know weddings are expensive. You don’t have to spend a fortune on clothing for your engagement pictures. If you don’t want to shop for new clothes, try one of these ideas:

• Shop at an upscale thrift store (it takes some extra time, but it’s a super fun date night and you can find some real treasures!)
• Shop your closet (I know a lot of ladies who have something nice, maybe even with the tags still on, tucked away in the back of the closet because it’s just too pretty to wear every day. Now is the time to bring it out!)
• Rent clothing or accessories (Yes, there are places that do this! They tend to be quite a bit cheaper than buying new, and can be a great option if, for example, you want to wear a formal dress for your photos but know you won’t have much chance to wear that kind of thing again)
• Borrow from a friend (Know someone whose style you love? Chances are, they would love to spend some pre-wedding time with you, helping you put together some classy styles from their wardrobe!)

Find Inspiration

Pinterest and Instagram are both great places to find inspiration for what to wear for your Colorado engagement session. Spend some time exploring, and feel to send me any inspiration shots once you’ve booked your session. (I have a few I can share with you too!) I can’t wait to style your engagement session and capture these incredible memories for you!

You’ll be married for a long time, but being engaged is just a short part of your relationship. Get in touch and let’s document this joyful time in the beautiful, artistic, and genuine way it deserves! I’m so excited!