Outfit Guide for Your Engagement Photos in Minnesota

There are a ton of variables to consider when deciding on the outfit you'll wear for your engagement photos in Minnesota, let's go over them!

Something my couples always seem to ask as we plan their engagement session is what they should wear, and it makes sense. This is likely the first time that you’re having professional photos taken of you as a couple, so there’s a lot of pressure! Will your favorite outfits look good in photos? Should you get something entirely new just for the session? Does the location of our session affect what you should wear? There are a TON of factors to consider when planning what to wear for your engagement photos in Minnesota, which is why I decided it was time to put together an outfit guide for the blog. Here’s everything you need to know when planning your outfits for your engagement session!

Dress for the Feel

The first tip I have is for you both to dress for the FEEL you’re going for in your photos. Do you both like to dress on the more formal side? Are you fans of more casual and comfy attire? Something in the middle? Remember, your engagement photos are a representation of you and your love, so be true to YOUR unique style. 

Most couples have a few different styles they rock, which is why I always recommend choosing a few different outfits for your engagement photos in Minnesota. Most couples choose two outfits, typically one that’s more formal and one on the more casual side, though I have had couples wear three separate outfits for their session! Bri and Parker’s session is a perfect example of this. The two started off their session in their Wisconsin Packer gear, then changed into some more formal outfits before finishing off with a casual final outfit.

Think Through Your Location and Setting

Yes, the location and setting of your engagement session do affect what you should wear! As an example, if your session is at a vibrant, green park in the summer you’re not going to want to wear green for your outfit. The same can be said for wearing white during a winter session in that same park, you’ll blend into the backdrop either way! Having some contrast between the backdrop and your outfits is incredibly important.

It’s not just about separating yourself from the backdrop though, you also want your outfit to make sense with the setting that you’re in. If part of your engagement session takes place at one of the many breweries in the Twin Cities you’ll want an outfit that looks like something you’d wear for a night out. On the other hand, if you’re heading to your favorite coffee shop you might opt for something a little cozier and casual. If you’re looking for some location inspiration for your engagement photos check out some of my favorites around the Twin Cities.

Dress for the Seasons

One of the largest benefits of taking engagement photos in Minnesota is that each season is remarkably distinct from one another, making for some fun outfit options! The styles of each season vary greatly, in large part due to the sweeping changes in the temperatures. As any Minnesotan can tell you, we have some of the hottest summers, coldest winters, and literally everything in-between! As such, it’s important to plan your outfit around the season of your session so that you not only look the part, but also are comfortable while taking photos!

Summer

Minnesota can get incredibly warm during the summer months, but compared to the other seasons we’ll look at it does have the most consistent temperatures throughout. This means that outside of the possibility of rain, there isn’t much weather fluctuation that you’ll have to account for when planning your outfits. Minnesota is a lush, green oasis throughout the summer, so plan your outfits accordingly. It’s the time of flowy dresses and looser, more breathable clothing. For outfits with a separate top and bottom, have one piece be tighter while the other is more loose, like how Samantha and Kevin did for their engagement photos in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Fall

This is where things start to get a little unpredictable weather wise, but the beauty of the fall really does speak for itself! If you have yet to experience the wonder of the leaves changing color in Minnesota during late October and early November, it is legitimately breathtaking and so much fun to work with for your photos! That being said, temperatures are ALL over the place. Sometimes we’ll have snow in October, other times it’ll be 70 degrees and sunny in November, there’s really no telling.

With that in mind I strongly suggest planning some layers into your engagement session outfits, something we’ll discuss in more detail later in the article. Keep an eye on the forecast as the day approaches so you roughly know what you’ll be dealing with. As for outfits you can go with something more traditional for the fall, like a flannel, or opt for something a little more your own style like Maggie and Ty did! For more tips on planning a fall engagement session in Minnesota, check out this article I wrote.

Winter

Minnesota winters can be particularly brutal when it comes to the colder temperatures, making choosing the outfits for your engagement photos a little challenging. That being said, there’s nothing quite like an engagement session after a fresh snowfall! Winter vibes can be such a joy to work with, and there’s always the option of including an indoor location during your session to warm up at. For a winter engagement session I recommend a LOT of layers, and packing some hand warmers isn’t a bad idea either. The winter does give you plenty of accessories to work with as well such as scarves and hats which are both great ways to personalize the session. Katie and Joe’s session is the perfect example of what a winter in Minnesota can look like, and why it’s so enjoyable for engagement photos.

Spring

Lastly we have spring, another highly unpredictable season in Minnesota that can add a bit of challenge to choosing your engagement photo outfits. Spring is a beautiful time of year. The world starts to come back to life, and it's always a joy seeing the Minnesota landscape in bloom after a long winter. Much like the fall though, it’s not uncommon to get an early taste of warm weather or a late dose of snow in the spring! It’s also rainy season here, so be prepared for a chance of mud if you’re looking to have an outdoor portion of your session. With this unpredictability, layers are again key for an engagement session in the spring. Check out Karly and Riley’s photos to see what a late-spring session can look like.

Colors

Many couples often struggle with choosing the colors that will make up their engagement session outfits. My main recommendation here is to choose colors that are generally more muted. Vibrant, bright colors like neon, true blues, or bright reds often bounce their color onto your skin due to the reflection of the sun. This can create some odd effects for your images that you’ll want to avoid. Brighter colors also have a higher chance of clashing with your backdrop, and they can even be so overpowering that they become the focal point of your photos!

Patterns

Much like the colors you choose for your outfits, keep your patterns simple for your engagement photos in Minnesota. Smaller, less overbearing patterns can work in your photos. Larger patterns on the other hand tend to warp and distort your body in weird ways on camera, which is FAR from ideal. If you do plan on wearing a pattern I recommend only one of you do so as multiple patterns tend to clash pretty aggressively. For something like flannels in the fall I also recommend choosing some with similar colors that almost blend together rather than a harsh checkerboard one. 

Textures

I LOVE texture in my couples outfits. Texture and movement are both fantastic ways to spice up your outfits and create an added layer of interest to your photos. Think flowy pleated skirts, cozy textured sweaters, or a cute ruffled top. These are just a few of the examples of how texture can add SO much to your outfits without being overpowering or distorting your body.

Matching Vs. Complementing

Should your outfits match or complement one another? The majority of the time I’m on the side of outfits being complementary rather than matching. When your outfits match it is very easy for your bodies to kind of blend into one another, making it harder to tell what’s going on in your photos. This isn’t always the case though, and sometimes it can be a ton of fun to match one another if that style is part of your aesthetic as a couple. If you are going to match outfits for your engagement photos in Minnesota I recommend doing so for only one of your outfits, and then choose some complementing colors for your next one.

Layers

I’ve already alluded to this a little bit throughout the article, but in case you couldn’t tell I absolutely love layers! They give you so much flexibility with your outfit, provide visual interest throughout your photos, and they can be a lifesaver too if things get too hot or cold during your session. Your extra layers can even be used as props throughout your photos that can add even more depth and fun to them. Think popping off your stylish fall coat as the temperature begins to rise during our morning session. Layers give you so many options and are a fantastic way to keep your comfort levels high throughout your session, I honestly can’t talk them up enough!

What Should You Bring?

While not quite something you’ll need for your outfits, there are some props that you can bring along for your engagement photos in Minnesota to liven them up. Think about what makes your connection special, and what you both love in your relationship. Bring along your pup for part of the session, wear your golfing gear, bring a cozy blanket for a picnic, or really anything that you both love to do together. Your engagement session is a celebration of your love, so incorporating your passions into the session is a fantastic way to make your photos even more personal!

Make Sure You’re Comfortable

I mentioned this a few times earlier, but it is worth repeating here again. Your comfort is key for your session! Plan in some layers so that you won’t be too warm or too cold in your outfits, but also make sure that your outfits themselves are comfortable. If you’re buying new clothes for the session try them on first so that you know they fit, and for new shoes PLEASE break them in. Your feet will thank you later!

These are the tips and tricks I’ve found throughout my years of being a wedding and engagement photographer in Minnesota. Of course, if you have a specific vision that doesn’t align with these suggestions you can still go for it, and I’ll love taking your photos regardless! The important thing to remember is to dress for you and the love that you’re celebrating.