One of the most common questions I get from my couples before their engagement shoot is:

“what should we wear?”


The easiest answer? A flowy white dress, paired with something neutral for your partner. I can guarantee that it will almost always photograph beautifully. It’s timeless, romantic, and works really well with different kinds of settings.


But there’s actually so much more to choosing your engagement session outfits than just wearing something that looks good in photos. Your engagement session is a chance to tell a little piece of your story before your wedding day, to showcase the love and connection you have for each other. The location, the season, the activity, and the outfits all work together to help create the feeling.


Here are a few things I recommend when deciding what to wear.



Couple in elegant attire poses at sunset, woman in floral lavender gown, man in dark suit, romantic outdoor portrait.

Santha wearing a gorgeous dress made by herself.

Dress for the story you want to tell

One of my favourite things when planning a photoshoot is thinking about the overall feeling we’re trying to create. I love when couples dress in a way that matches the activity or environment we’re photographing in.


For example:

  • A picnic in a garden might call for something soft, floral, and effortless.
  • A beach session could suit linen, relaxed textures, and barefoot moments.
  • A city session might feel more editorial with a more polished outfit.
  • A cosy winter session could include layers, coats, and textures.



The goal isn’t to dress up as someone else, it’s to create a version of yourselves that feels intentional and reflects true to who you are as individuals and as a whole.

Couple holding hands and smiling at each other on a beach at dusk, both wearing white outfits.
Couple holding hands walking on a sandy beach toward a lush green hillside at sunset.
Couple holding hands walking barefoot on a black sand beach, woman in white dress, man in white shirt and khaki shorts.
A joyful woman in a white dress runs toward a man on a scenic beach with lush green hills in the background.

Nadia & Mitch at their Bethells Beach photoshoot, in linen and bare foot.

Choose something that feels like you

The most important thing is that you feel confident and comfortable.


Your photos will reflect how you feel. If you’re constantly adjusting your outfit, worrying about how you look, or wearing something that doesn’t feel like yourself, it can make it harder to relax in front of the camera.


Think about the clothes you naturally feel your best in and then elevate it ten fold.


Coordinate with each other

You don’t need to wear the exact same colours or style as each other. Instead, think about outfits that complement one another.


For example, if you're wearing a dress with blue floral prints, maybe your partner can wear a shirt that is similar to that shade of blue; if he's wearing denim jeans, maybe you can incorporate a denim jacket into your outfit; if he's wearing a black suit, you could echo that same elegance with black heels and a cool dress of any colour.


Heck, if you really want to go matchy matchy with each other, who am i to deny? One of my clients showed up to their family photoshoot with matching white shirt, blue jeans and black boots and it was the most adorable thing ever.


Note: Try to avoid bright colours, large logos, or patterns that might distract the scene and take the focus away from you and your love.

Elegant couple in black attire embracing on a city bridge at night with glowing skyline backdrop.
Black and white photo of a woman in an off-shoulder dress leaning against a man in a suit.
Couple in black formal attire posing at night with Auckland Sky Tower illuminated in the background.

Consider textures and movement

One of the reasons I love flowy dresses so much is because they create movement. A dress that catches in the wind, a linen shirt, a long coat, or a cute veil can add another layer of emotion to your images and gives us more things to play around and get creative with on the shoot. These little details helps to bring the images to life.

A joyful bride and groom hold hands and spin on a lush green lawn surrounded by tall trees on their wedding day.
Black and white photo of bride and groom kissing under flowing veil in outdoor garden setting.
Asian couple in wedding attire, bride in white gown with veil, groom in black suit, posing outdoors with trees and sky.
Black and white wedding photo of a smiling bride and groom embracing under a flowing veil outdoors.

Bring an outfit change

My couples are all given the option to have one outfit change during our 2 hour shoot. If you’re celebrating a cross-cultural engagement, or if you’re simply unsure whether to go more casual or more dressed up, an outfit change gives you the chance to explore both sides of your story. You can have one look that feels more relaxed and true to everyday you, and another that feels a little more elevated.

Couple in matching red traditional Chinese outfits walking hand-in-hand through a circular moon gate in a garden.
Black and white photo of a smiling woman being kissed on the cheek by a man in an embroidered white shirt.
Couple in white dress and brown jacket embracing under brick arched colonnade with lush greenery backdrop.

Leslie & Carlos came with three outfit changes, one to honour Leslie's Filipino heritage, one to honour Carlos' Chinese heritage and one to honour their love.

At the end of the day...

Your engagement photos are about documenting this era of your relationship, the era that is so fleeting but truly one of a kind. The excitement, the anticipation, and the love you share before your wedding day. The perfect outfit is one that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and completely yourself. Whether that’s a flowing white dress, your favourite pair of jeans, or something completely unique to you, the most important thing is that when you look back at these photos years from now, they feel like you.


Also for those that are wondering, yes i absolutely would love to discuss your outfit options with you, please feel free to send me your entire wardrobe and we can figure it out together.

Woman in floral dress lying in lush green grass surrounded by wildflowers and trees in a serene outdoor setting.