Because your engagement session planning should be fun and stress free!
Before we dive into the best engagement session planning tips, I want to wish you the biggest CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement!! This is a special time and so worth celebrating as you become on step closer to beginning your marriage! As wedding planning begins, the next step is typically choosing your venue and photographer that fit your vision and style for your wedding day.
As soon as a couple secures their wedding date with me as their wedding photographer, we begin planning their engagement (which is so fun!). I desire for my couples to enjoy and have fun during their engagement session and that begins with planning. To ease the stress of engagement session planning, I’m sharing my top five tips for couples planning an engagement session.
Schedule Hair Appointment for Cut, Color and Style
Who doesn’t want professionally styled hair for their engagement session?! Schedule your monthly or bi-monthly hair appointment the morning of your engagement session. You will have professionally styled hair without needing to manage an additional appointment. It is also worth considering adding on a session with a make-up artist so its one less thing to worry about!
Gentlemen, this doesn’t just apply to the ladies. Schedule a your routine appointment with your barber as well for a cut and fresh trim or shave for your beard. You deserve to feel like a million bucks for your engagement session too!
Choose the Dress
I highly recommend choosing a dress for your engagement session. Our perception of images we are in is based on how we feel while those images were taken. Dresses flatter every figure with endless style options to match your personal style. Choosing a dress that flatters your favorite features will leave you feeling like a rockstar during your session! My favorite shops for dresses are –
Choose the Suit
I know, I know…suits can feel stuffy. But, hear me out. Just like I recommend the bride wearing a dress because it is most flattering, a suit is the most flattering outfitting choice for the groom. It showcases your masculine features while enhancing the polished feel of your images. As a bonus, you won’t be in the suit long and I love to add variety into galleries by photographing the groom-to-be with his suit jacket on and off.
Coordinate Not Match
This is typically the hardest part of planning outfits. The goal is to coordinate outfits not match. I recommend the bride-to-be chooses her dress first then coordinates the groom-to-be’s suit with her dress. I know how hard it can be to find a dress that feels perfect. Once you find a dress, choose a coordinating suit to complete the outfitting!
Make it a Date
Last tip is my favorite! Make your engagement session a date! The whole reason we are meeting for an engagement session is to celebrate that you two are getting married and beginning a life together!!! This is HUGE and the BEST reason to celebrate! Plan a date after your engagement to take advantage of your professionally styled hair and glammed up outfits. You only get to experience your engagement together once so take full advantage and spend the extra time together!
Curious what an engagement gallery looks like for my couples? Check out a few of my favorite evenings with couples below ⬇️
Ohio State House Engagement Session
Franklin Park Conservatory Engagement Session
Ashleigh Grzybowski is a Wedding Photographer based in Columbus, Ohio and serving couples across Ohio. Ashleigh specializes in producing timeless, high quality imagery for kind-hearted couples who desire a warm, boutique experience honoring their life-long commitment and legacy.
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