8 Fashion-Forward Ways to Dress For Your Engagement Photos

Planning an engagement photo shoot is often one of the first tasks that couples check off their to-do list following their engagement announcement. Whether it's because they want to use the pictures for their save-the-dates or they simply want to revel in the intimate moment together, a bride-to-be's engagement dress is usually among their first big fashion purchases. Unsurprisingly, many brides opt for white looks that channel classic wedding day style. Of course, these designs do not have to be nearly as intricate or ornate as a full-fledged wedding gown. But they may incorporate some timeless bridal details like ruffles, lace, embroidery, or beading.

Other couples might favor a more relaxed vibe for their engagement shoot, choosing to wear something casual so they feel like themselves. (Plus, if you don't spend money on new engagement outfits, you can direct some of those funds to your actual wedding day looks.) Lived-in T-shirts, leather or denim jackets, or cozy, neutral sweaters are all dependable options if you decide to keep your outfit more low-key than luxury.

Now while your engagement fashion is crucial, the shoot location has to complement how you look and feel. If you're shooting at home, consider some tailored athleisure pieces. If you're taking photos downtown, on the other hand, reach for those heels and dress you've been saving for "a special occasion" (hint: the occasion has arrived). You may want to stick to a particular color scheme (like neutrals or jewel tones), or work with your partner to subtly coordinate without overdoing it — perhaps one person is in a bold print, and the other in a complementary solid hue.

Ahead, we curated a list of eight categories that provide the perfect foundation for getting dressed for your upcoming engagement photo shoot.

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Engagement Outfit Idea: Subtle Coordination
Getty | Juan Napurí / EyeEm

Engagement Outfit Idea: Subtle Coordination

These outfits aren't at all matchy-matchy, but there's a subtle color coordination that pulls the entire image together. While you probably don't want to look like twins, you do want the photo to feel visually even. Plus, it'll be easier to find light that flatters you both if you're dressing in the same color family.

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Engagement Outfit Idea: Play Up the Bridal Theme
Getty | Oleg Breslavtsev

Engagement Outfit Idea: Play Up the Bridal Theme

Save your wedding dress for your big day, of course. But there's something so romantic about a breezy, lightweight white dress. Shop for looks with details that add dimension to the overall snapshot, like a ruffled hemline or bow sleeves with long ties that blow in the wind. Don't hesitate to match fabrics with your partner, too, if they are also opting for white. Linen fabric can be a great option for both of you, especially for the beach — as long as you have a steamer on hand to keep your looks wrinkle-free.

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Engagement Outfit Idea: Go Cozy Coordinated
Getty | olegbreslavtsev

Engagement Outfit Idea: Go Cozy Coordinated

In snuggly, coordinating sweaters, the vibe is warm and classic. Choose slightly offsetting tones or fabrics and similarly colored bottoms for a cohesive but distinct-enough look. Whether you're wearing denim or a neutral-colored pant, keep your footwear simple — a suede boot and oxfords, for example. Jewelry should be kept minimal, too. Opt for something your partner is used to seeing you in every day, such as gold hoop earrings or your favorite necklace.

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Engagement Outfit Idea: Make It About the Jackets
Joey Reger

Engagement Outfit Idea: Make It About the Jackets

Wear your go-to jacket — the one your partner loves or your friends and family have given you countless compliments on — over a neutral T-shirt or button-up. Choose outerwear that's complementary, but don't be afraid to mix materials. All-black leather and wool, for example, are a solid match. Or you can go for denim jackets in different washes or silhouettes, perhaps one fitted and one oversized.

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Engagement Outfit Idea: Wear All Black
Getty | Cavan Images

Engagement Outfit Idea: Wear All Black

Planning to wear all black? Remember to balance proportions. Either wear a fitted pant and sweater for a more relaxed scene, or a skirt and blouse for a dressier touch. Consider cutouts or skin-baring details to break up all the black and add visual interest. When in doubt, go with something that fits in with the atmosphere behind you — a vacation dress, for instance, is made for a beach shoot.

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Engagement Outfit Idea: Bring Out the Props (and Prints)
Getty | Igor Alecsander

Engagement Outfit Idea: Bring Out the Props (and Prints)

If you're setting up props, like a lush tablescape or picnic blanket, your outfits should coordinate with the scene, not distract from it. In this case, one of you could opt for a print — think paisley or florals — while the other chooses neutral shades that complement the print you select. Pull up a color wheel to determine which shades are the best match.

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Engagement Outfit Idea: Keep It Simple
Once Upon a Journey

Engagement Outfit Idea: Keep It Simple

If jeans and T-shirts are your standby, there's nothing wrong with keeping your look for the shoot understated. Reach for the denim you feel most confident in and the slightly structured tee that completes your casual ensemble. Another engagement outfit option? Re-wearing what you wore when the proposal actually happened, just to recreate the moment for loved ones who will be flipping through your photos.

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Engagement Outfit Idea: Dress For the Destination
Tega Photography

Engagement Outfit Idea: Dress For the Destination

If your shoot involves being active, playing outdoors, or getting to a unique place (a hot air balloon festival, anyone?), opt for ready-for-anything items like beanies and combat boots. When you're headed to the mountains, choose cozy fabrics, including shearling, wool, and flannel. And if you're on the beach, employ styling details as you normally would, like rolling up the hem of your pants and going barefoot.