Alright all you new & future Emma Loo Brides, here’s a little bit of inspo for planning what to wear for your engagement session.  Surprisingly, this is the number one question I get asked by pretty much ALL of my brides & even most of my session clients are at a loss when it comes to this most-asked-about subject.  And don’t get me wrong, when it was finally my turn to be the one in front of the camera for our own engagement session — I was a wreck.  It was like I had suddenly forgot all of the fashion rules I had learned and Lord only knows! I had about 6 or 7 or 100 outfits picked out…and yes, when the night before our engagement session came, I had laid out all of outfits just like I always did the night before the first day of school.  I was THAT excited/nervous!

First of all, let me just start off by saying that an engagement session really is a MUST when planning for your wedding day photography. That’s why I make complimentary engagement sessions included in each & every one of my collections.  It’s a way for us to work together before your Big Day and trust me, images that come out of your engagement session will be loved and cherished forever by you.  Think about it! It’s showing off the “everyday you” as a couple.  You two lovebirds all casual, loving life, and dressed showing your individual personalities instead of y’all in your formal white gown and tux.  Engagement sessions is also considered a “practice” for the wedding day.  I will teach you both all the “poses” that are up my sleeve and we’ll work together to know what you’re both comfortable with and what looks best for you! And did I mention, YOU WILL LOVE YOUR PHOTOS!?

Many Brides always frantically fill my email inbox a couple weeks before their shoot asking me what to wear.  The truth is, I always suggest whatever you are comfortable and feel great in because if you are confident then that will really shine in the images.  SO, for all you adorable Emma Loo Brides who are still stumped on what to wear, here are some tips to help you get ready for your engagement session!

1.) Choose clothing that is flattering to your body shape AND your skin tone.  We all know those types of clothing that looks great on us, and we also know the pieces from our closet that don’t look that great on us.  For me, with my fair skin and dirty blonde hair, I look better in royal blues, deep purples, or dark pinks.  My mom has always told me that sheath dresses looked better on me than high-waisted numbers, and I never believed her until I actually saw pictures of me in each! She was right!! (normally always is! 😉 )  and so that made me toss all those tight fitting, high-waist dresses to the donate pile and I started looking for more loose, sheath/shift dress styles which I look WAY better in and I feel more confident in! Also, I don’t like the way my arms look…why? I have no idea why? But I’m always wearing a sweater or jacket over a sleeveless shirt just because.  So would I wear a tank top or a sleeveless top to a portrait session…nope. So, if you don’t like the way you look in certain things, don’t wear them to your session.  If your self-conscious about something, don’t wear something that will accentuate it.  But again, make sure you wear something that you are comfortable in and you feel confident while wearing it!

2.) I always suggest for my couples to bring along 2 different outfits to their engagement session.  One outfit is more casual and laid-back while the other is more dressier.  Of course, you can always bring more outfits if you want to, but it will limit the amount of portraits we’ll be able to make, but you will have different looks throughout your session.

3.) With that being said, if my couples don’t want to change their outfits too much throughout our shoot, dressing in layers will help fix this problem! If you have a denim jacket on for some shots and then simply take it off for other shots, it looks like two different outfits! Simple, right?!

4.) It’s always best to dress equally when it comes to dressing both the Bride and Groom.  If she’s in a long & flowy gown, then he shouldn’t be in a white t-shirt and “Jorts”.  (There really is never a good time to actually wear “Jorts” though, just sayin’.) 

5.) Also, make sure that if one person is in a pattern or something with a lot going on, it would probably be best for the other to wear something a little more neutral and toned-down.

6.) Don’t worry about MATCHING.  You don’t necessarily have to wear the same hue of blue. She could be wearing a light blue and he could be in a navy blue, or even a complimentary color to blue.  Just coordinate your outfits and try to look for complimentary colors to wear together.  Just a thought too–maybe wear colors that match your wedding day theme or colors! That way your Save-the-Dates or Thank You cards will match the wedding.  (If you’re an even BIGGER planner, like yours truly…match your outfits to your home decor! Our house is decorated in blues and grays…so of course, our outfits consisted of blues and grays! I know, it’s a little OCD and I’m okay with that!)

7.) ACCESSORIZE! I absolutely love accessories! Accessories can be just as important as the outfits! Scarfs, earrings, statement necklaces…I love them ALL! Sometimes, my most favorite sessions include a solid color dress and a colorful statement necklace.  Yes. It can be THAT simple.

8.) If you want more of those romantic style images, wearing a long flowy dress is always the right choice! Consider a “statement dress” that will stand out within your images.  Plus, I absolutely LOVE photographing them! I’ve had clients consider off-the-clearance rack prom dresses and flowy maxi-dresses! Any type of dress that will flow in the wind would be beautiful! And whoever said you shouldn’t wear white after Labor Day is cray-cray! You’re getting married! Why not rock it?! A white, flowy long dress would be B-E-A-UTIFUL!

9.) Avoid small patterns! Small plaid or checkered-patterns do not photograph well. So if you are going to wear a pattern, go big or go home! 😉 Honestly, if you don’t have big patterns or big plaid to wear, a solid would be best.

10.) SHOP YOUR CLOSET! You’ll be surprised at how many outfits you’ll be able to make if you simply just “shop your closet” for your engagement session.  You don’t have to go out and buy a completely brand new wardrobe for your engagement session! Look on Pinterest for LOTS of inspiration and ideas! Or maybe your can use your relationship to get outfit inspiration! Maybe you wear the dress you wore on your first date…that might be cute? (Heck, I wore the shoes I wore on our very first date…does that count?) Some of my Brides have gotten their engagement outfits off of RentTheRunway.com and they’ve LOVED it & highly suggest it! You’re able to get that high-end look but without spending hundreds (& even thousands!) of dollars on a new outfit! I would highly suggest renting from a site like this, especially if you’re wanting that “Statement Dress” look!

BUT…if you’re a shopaholic like me, sometimes just taking an afternoon to find a new outfit brings you happiness! So the more power to ‘ya, girlfriend! Here’s a couple examples of what you + your groom can wear for your engagement session…and the good news? Most everything shown below is under $100!

 

Love the blue & coral look together! (Did you know, you can RENT jewelry, too?!)

Now, let’s talk about your shoe game, guys! You can really tell a lot about a guy through his SHOES! Make sure your shoes are on point, boys! Brown loafers are classic for lots of outfits!
This cute little number would be fabulous for a natural spring or summer session! SO CUTE!

Can we talk about that dress?! BUT even better, THOSE SHOES! WHOA! Love it ALL.

Definitely a super cute look for a late summer look!

Talk about a statement dress! & that color is TO.DIE. FOR. & don’t even get me started on the guy’s bowtie! LOVE!
ADORBS! 

Hope this has helped loves! XO! -Emma Loo

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