Every morning when you get dressed, rarely do you have to take into consideration what you will wear in relation to your future spouse. Yes you are accustomed to wearing what YOU want to wear, but for the purposes of taking engagement or anniversary photos, you’ll have to coordinate something nice. There are so many routes and considerations to take into account when planning your attire, but this article is intended to make it a stress-free task.
Your engagement photos are a presentation of you as a couple to the rest of the world, so make sure you wear something you’ll be happy to look back on 50+ years from now. For starters, I recommend bringing at least 2 outfits; one casual and one upscale. Having at least two outfits gives your photos variation, and more options to choose from for your Save the Dates or Guestbook Table.
Dress for the season – If you’re taking photos during the colder months, layering up will be necessary because the last thing you want is to be shivering for 1-2 hours. It may limit your clothing options, but you can get creative by infusing bold colors into your outfit through scarves, shoes, coats, or gloves. If you are taking photos during warmer months, use this to your advantage. There are more clothing options to play with such as dresses, shorts, jumpsuits, tunics and more.
Cold Weather Punches of Color
Reflect your location – In my Californian opinion, many locations in the Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia area are historic and monotonous in its appearance, so your outfit will help add character to the final look of the images. If your engagement shoot location will be in an upscale location, make sure that your outfit is similarly upscale. Contrarily, if your engagement shoot is in nature, make sure that your outfit is casual enough to reflect that. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen anyone hike in heels or oxfords. The only time it might be OK to break this rule is if there is a specially themed photoshoot. Some locations will have multiple landscapes that allow for fluid outfit styles, but you always want to ask yourself, “Will this outfit reflect the backdrop of my environment?”
This outfit works well for two reasons. 1 – While Bryant infused color and pattern into his outfit, Frenchetta balanced him out with a monochromatic outfit. 2– Their outfits were joined together through shades of pink and coral. Bryants pants were pink/coral and your eye is immedietly drawn back to Frenchetta’s shoe. On the flipside, Bryant’s shoe is white and it is balanced out by frenchetta’s white tutu.
Consider your body shape – Wear outfits that are flattering to your body type. Do not wear clothes that are too baggy, but do not wear clothes that are too tight. When I shoot, I want to focus on capturing the love between you and your partner so wearing something that is flattering will ensure that we do not have to stop and make wardrobe adjustments. It’ll also help you get your photos back quicker because I won’t have to spend time editing out bra straps.
Wear outfits that represent your cultural heritage. Notice in these pictures how one wore print while the other wore solid colors? Be very careful with prints because you do not want your outfits to look like they are competing for attention.
Groom yourself – Engagement shoots are usually a good time to test out the skills of your intended makeup artist or hairstylist. Styling your hair and makeup can take a bit of time, so make sure that you schedule your appointment early enough so that there aren’t any delays. This is a time where you can get your engagement ring cleaned as well. Don’t forget to get a manicure because any closeup shots will surely capture your cuticle bed and hangnails.
Obi and Ijeuru
Colors!
Harmonize Your Colors – Color harmony is something to take into consideration. You do not need to look like the Olsen twins but you can coordinate a visually appealing look through use of the color wheel. For instance, the guy can wear a red tie, and the woman can wear red heels. Or one can wear yellow pants and the other can wear a yellow top.
Choose colors that will complement your complexion. You can do this by identifying with a celeb or looking back on some of your best outfits. What stood out to people the most when they complimented you? Was it the color? Print? Texture? Fit? or something else?
Analogous
Analogous colors are those that are adjacent with each other on the color wheel. It also lacks the right contrast but unlike monochromatic colors, analogous colors have different hues. Because it is often associated with nature, analogous colors create soothing effects on the eyes.
Monochromatic means wearing separates of one color that have different textures and/or similar shades of that color for an overall tonal look. While mixing patterns can look a bit fussy and color-blocking a bit kitschy, wearing a single shade is a simpler, cleaner approach to putting an outfit together. In fact, when you keep your overall outfit within the same color hue, the outcome can be just as striking as wearing a bold pattern or vivid color.
Triad
These are the colors that are equally spaced out from each other on the color wheel. If you drew through them, you would get an equilateral triangle. Again, in their most saturated form, you might have a hard time combining them. But if you pick any two of these, it would be easier.
Complementary
These are colors which are opposite each other on the color wheel
Funky Prints
Always stick to one printed garment at any one time and keep the rest of your outfit plain. Whether it’s a one-shouldered dress, leggings or a waistcoat feel free to go as gaudy and bold as you like.
With your plain items, endeavour to pick out a colour from the print, i.e., wear a black skirt if you are braving a leopard-print cardigan. Adhere to this rule of thumb with prints and the rest will follow.
Texture
Consider infusing textured garments into one of your outfits. During both of these engagement sessions, the bride-to-be’s wore white lace dresses. It helped draw unison between them and the textured trees.
Everything listed is not definitive and does not have to be followed. My goal is to ensure that you enjoy the end result of your photos. You are free to dress as you please. 🙂
