What to Wear for Your Engagement Session: A Stylist‑Approved Guide
Your engagement session is your first opportunity to express your story in timeless imagery. What you wear directly shapes the tone, mood, and elegance of your portraits—so styling with intention matters. At Laila Chanel Studios, we help guide our couples to look and feel their best with simple, elevated choices that complement both you and your setting.
Here’s our stylist-approved guide to help you dress for your engagement session with confidence and grace.
1. Let Your Location Lead the Look
Your backdrop sets the visual tone, so your outfits should harmonize with the setting—not compete with it.
🏙️ Urban Settings
For rooftop sessions or sleek city scenes (like the Atlanta BeltLine or downtown terraces), lean into clean silhouettes and polished details.
Wear:
Tailored suits or chic jumpsuits
Neutral-toned blazers
Midi dresses in rich or monochrome palettes
Structured shoes and metallic accessories
Why: The city feels modern and sharp—your wardrobe should reflect that.
🌿 Garden & Nature Sessions
In botanical or estate settings (like Swan House or Piedmont Park), the focus is soft, romantic, and textured.
Wear:
Flowing maxi dresses or skirts
Earth tones, pastels, and delicate floral prints
Linen shirts, loafers, soft knits
Dainty accessories or hair adornments
Why: The organic beauty of these spaces pairs perfectly with soft fabrics and understated elegance.
🏛️ Formal Venues
At places like Château Élan or The Biltmore, more elevated attire adds presence and polish to the frame.
Wear:
Gowns or structured dresses in luxe fabrics
Velvet, silk, or crepe pieces
Suits with pocket squares, cufflinks, or layers
Why: Editorial venues deserve wardrobe choices that feel just as refined.
2. Color Palette & Coordination Tips
Sticking to a soft, tonal palette allows the focus to stay on your connection.
Best Color Choices
Ivory, beige, sage, dove grey, blush, champagne
Soft blues, taupes, or terracotta (for seasonal variation)
One accent tone (like a muted burgundy or emerald) in shoes, scarves, or accessories
What to Avoid
Loud, saturated colors (red, neon, high-contrast stripes)
Logos or bold branding
Overly busy patterns that distract or clash with your environment
Coordinating as a Couple
Don’t match—coordinate. For example:
One partner in ivory and the other in tan or light olive
One in a pattern, the other in a solid tone that complements it
Similar tones, but varied textures (cotton + silk, linen + wool)
3. Comfort = Confidence (and Better Photos)
You should feel amazing in your clothes. Avoid anything that’s too tight, itchy, or requires constant adjusting. Choose pieces that move well and photograph beautifully:
Flowy fabrics capture movement
Fitted waists highlight shape
Long dresses elongate the frame in still and motion shots
Blazers create clean lines and natural structure
Bring flats for walking and heels for formal portraits, or keep backup shoes nearby. Don’t forget to test outfits ahead of time in natural light if possible.
4. Common Client Questions—Answered
“Can we bring more than one look?”
Yes! A second outfit can add dimension to your gallery—just plan for a quick change if location shifts are involved.
“Can we wear all black or white?”
Definitely. Monochrome can feel sleek and editorial, but we’ll help you add texture or layers to create visual interest.
“Should we match our wedding colors?”
Not necessarily—but feel free to echo tones that matter to your overall story or palette.
Final Styling Notes
Bring the little things:
Light accessories (earrings, hats, watches)
A fresh manicure
Hair and makeup done professionally if possible—it helps with both polish and confidence in front of the camera
And remember, you don’t need to overthink it. What matters most is that your clothing reflects your personality, complements your location, and helps you feel relaxed, confident, and connected.
Let’s Style Your Story
Need help planning your look? We offer styling guidance with every session, and we’re happy to recommend outfit pairings that photograph beautifully with your location and light.
Ready to plan your dream engagement session?
Inquire now to get started with Laila Chanel Studios.