What to wear for a pre-wedding shoot…
Struggling to settle on your pre-wedding photoshoot outfit? Here are some ideas that might help you decide!
“What should we wear?”
One of the questions I get most from couples is “what should we wear for our pre-wedding shoot?”. It’s a great question and an important one too.
The clothes you wear can drastically change the look and feel of an image (more on this later). Just think about wedding photos; everyone’s dressed at their best and the photos look incredible! Everyone looks like they belong and there’s a, for lack of a better word, ‘high-end’ feel to them.
Does that mean you need dress up in a suit and a white dress for your engagement shoot? Absolutely not! I’ve had couples want to dress more casually and that’s totally up to you. However, if you’re unsure as to what you should wear here are a few things to consider.
Table of contents:
Idea #1: Going Casual
If you’ve got people telling you that you HAVE to dress up for a pre-wedding shoot, that’s just not true!
Casual clothing is definitely an option but there are some ‘pros and cons’ if you will, in doing so. Now, you might not agree with my take on it but here are a couple of things to consider before going casual.
Before we continue, I have to clarify that by casual I mean, jeans/shorts with a tee/hoodie and not your sweats/trackies.
Pros:
It’s comfortable! I think everyone would agree that casual clothes are more comfortable than a suit and tie. This can be really helpful if you’re already feeling nervous about having your photos taken.
More mobility: this isn’t a hard and fast rule but casual clothes can give you more movement. This is great if you’re the kind to run, jump and really go all out!
They’re easy to clean: if you’re planning to go to a beach or on a hike for your shoot casual clothes might be a good option. Not everyone’s comfortable getting their ‘nice’ clothes dirty and that’s totally understandable.
Cons:
It’s not ‘different enough’: this doesn’t apply to everyone but you might already have heaps of photos with your partner in casual clothes and if you do, perhaps you might want photos from your session to be distinctively different! It is your engagement after all.
TL;DR: casual clothes are typically more comfortable and easier to move in BUT you might want a different look for your engagement shoot.
Idea #2: Dressing Up
I’ve had couples who weren’t so keen on dressing up and that’s totally fine but here are a few things I get think about when it comes to “dressing up”.
Pros:
A trial run: a pre-wedding shoot is a great opportunity to do a ‘trial run” for your wedding day. As a bride-to-be, you probably have a makeup and hair trial arranged so why not make use of that and get some great photos! As a groom…maybe practice tying a tie? (us guys have it easy)
Your stationery: you’re probably gonna be sending out invites, have an RSVP website or a Facebook event. This is wear dressing up can really make a difference as I find the photos get people really excited about the big day!
It’s a little more ‘special’: not everyone will agree on this but dressing up for a pre-wedding shoot can result in photos that are just that bit more special. The difference in clothing would make the photos stand out from all the others that you already and/or will have!
Cons:
It take effort: I get it, it takes time and effort to dress up and make sure your hair is on point. Girls, you know this more than I do. If that’s just time and energy you don’t want to put in, that’s cool too!
It’s not practical: not that it’s impossible but I think we can all agree that heels and a dress aren’t the best outfit choices for an off-road adventure (but don’t let that stop you!)
TL;DR: an engagement shoot is a great time to do a makeup and hair trial in combination with dressing up plus it’ll look great on your invites! It just takes effort and might not be that practical.
Idea #3: Mix & Match (Colours!)
So hopefully by now you’re closer to deciding whether to go casual or dress up.
Regardless of which option you choose, here’s something to consider when picking out your outfit: COLOUR! I’ve titled this “mix & match” because those are really the two main avenues when it comes to colour.
Mixing colours can be great but it can also be tricky. Not all colour combinations work well so you might have to take some time to figure out what you and your partner have in your wardrobe that go well together. Don’t be put off by this though, because it can pay serious dividends. Just look at how great Letitia & Harley look with their earthy tones!
On the flipside, you can match colours or pick different shades of the same colour e.g. (baby blue + sky blue - I honestly don’t know the difference). This is typically the easier option if you and your partner’s wardrobes look similar in terms of colour.
A benefit of matching is that it’s really difficult to go wrong with this and it can look great! Plus, if you’re not afraid of stains you can go with an all-white aesthetic that’s super clean and classy! Just check out Jess & Danny looking like a Country Road ad.
TL;DR: if you mix colours; be sure that the combination works OR pick shades of the same colour!
Other Considerations
Patterns: avoid distracting patterns at all cost! If you’re unsure if it’s “distracting” avoid it entirely.
Location: keep in mind where you’re going when picking out colours; don’t to blend into the background!
Personality: dressing up might not be your thing and that’s fine; it’s important be authentic in the photos too.
Comfort: I’ve touched on this before but you if you’re someone who’s camera shy, wearing something you’re comfortable in can help!
I hope this article has helped you decide or at least get a better idea of what you want to wear for your pre-wedding shoot.
If you did, be sure to share it with people you know who are also looking out for pre-wedding outfit ideas!
Haven’t found a photographer for your engagement shoot? I’d love to chat!
