• Home
  • About
    • About
    • Terms and Conditions + Privacy Policy
  • Press
  • Work With Us
    • Creatives + Brands
    • Interior Design + Decorating
    • Seasonal Home Decorating
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact

STAY AWHILE

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Terms and Conditions + Privacy Policy
  • Press
  • Work With Us
    • Creatives + Brands
    • Interior Design + Decorating
    • Seasonal Home Decorating
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact

Follow A Hosting Home

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

A Hosting Home

Styling and Inspiration + Handcrafted Designs

Weddings

What to Wear To Your Engagement Session {From a Photographer’s Perspective} // Guest Post by Kati Hewitt Photography

What to Wear to Your Engagement Session (From a Photographer's Perspective!), Atlanta Certified Wedding Planner

I may be a little biased, but 

A few weeks ago I asked one of my all-time favorite wedding photographers to help me with a special blog post to share with my sweet couples (and all of you!) While I may be a little biased, who better to ask for advice than my own wedding photographer, Kati (now, Jennings!) of Kati Hewitt Photography!

The winter engagement season has come to a close, and soon enough these newly engaged love-birds are going to be booking their engagement sessions with their wedding photographers. While finding the perfect outfits to wear for your engagement session can seem like an impossible task, it doesn’t have to be. See what Kati has to say below on what to wear to your engagement session! The best part? You’re getting advice straight from a photographer’s perspective!

Getting engaged is a whirlwind.

The first few weeks are filled with congratulatory phone calls, showing off your ring, excitement that your Pinterest board can finally come to life, and A LOT of planning. If you’re not familiar with the wedding industry, you may find yourself asking, “Now what?” You are excited to be engaged to the love of your life, but you have no idea how to start your wedding planning. My suggestion? Schedule engagement photos!

Once you decide on a wedding photographer and schedule your engagement session, there is one question that always seems to plague the mind of a bride-to-be: WHAT DO I WEAR? I always suggest that my couples bring two outfits- one casual and one dressy. But if you’re stuck on which outfits are perfect for your shoot, here are my 4 foolproof steps to putting together the best complementary engagement outfits!

How to Choose the Perfect Outfits

Step 1: Don’t Panic!!

The focus of an engagement session is the love between you and your fiance. Sure, you want to look great, but genuine smiles and laughter with your fiance are more valuable than any new outfit you could buy.

Step 2: Go Into Your Fiance’s Closet!

This is what I did to prepare for my own engagement session. Girls usually have much more clothes than guys do, so it is easier to base the girl’s outfit off of the guy’s outfit. Also, girls tend to like shopping more than guys. So pick out your fiance’s favorite three button-down flannels, and then compare them with the clothes you already have in your closet.

Step 3: Create Complementary Outfits!

This step is important! Try to aim for complementary outfits rather than matching outfits. For example, if your guy has a navy and green flannel, wear a gray sweater with a navy necklace. You don’t want to both show up in matching navy and green flannels! Or, if your guy has a solid red shirt, wear a white shirt with a red plaid scarf.

Step 4: Choose 1 Dressy and 1 Casual Outfit

I recommend bringing two outfits that you love. Dressy outfits can include a dress and wedges for the girls and a button-down and dark wash jeans for the guys. Casual outfits can include jeans, a flowy top, a comfy sweater and scarf, etc. for the girls. Guys can wear their favorite flannel, fitted v-neck, or a sweater depending on what month it is. Of course, these are just some suggestions.

What Photographs Well

Textures and Layers

Both textures and layers add more interest to your photos and give your images a little more depth to them!

Pops of Bright Colors

Think scarf, pair of heels, or fun necklace!

Plaid or Patterns

Don’t be afraid of patterns! If one person is wearing a flannel or a plaid scarf, it adds interest to the photos without being overly distracting.

Accessories

Your engagement ring, class rings, jewelry, a quilt to sit on or blanket to wrap up in, a tulle skirt, or a floppy hat!

Colors Best Suited for Your Skin Tone

I have never been able to get a tan in my life, so I know better than to wear a pale yellow shirt for photos. I would be better suited in something navy or green!

Clothes That are Not Wrinkled

This one seems obvious, but sometimes we are in such a  hurry that we forget to think about the details. While I can edit minor wrinkles to make a photo picture perfect for your Save the Date, you don’t want to rely on post-processing to take out wrinkles. I’m not embarrassed to admit that an iron can do a better job at that than me! (Confession: I was speed ironing my fiance’s shirt before we walked out the door for our own engagement session. Oops!)

Clothes That you Usually Wear:

I’m not saying you should wear the sweatpants you lounge around in to watch Netflix, but make sure you choose outfits that you are not too out of the ordinary for you. I can speak from personal experience when I say I LOVE my engagement photos, but I wish I would have worn my usual boots instead of my brand new ones. This is a small styling detail I wish I would have thought about before my photos. If you are going to buy new clothes, I recommend wearing them out and about at least once to make sure there are no wardrobe malfunctions (straps keep falling down, neckline becomes too revealing, etc.).

What to Bring to Your Engagement Session

  • Hairbrush
  • Makeup for touch-ups
  • Oil wipes for your face
  • A quilt or blanket to sit down on
  • A bag with your change of clothes in it
  • A change of shoes (if needed) for outfit #2
  • The proper undergarments for each outfit

What an Engagement Session Really Looks Like

Engagement sessions are my favorite because I get to know each couple on a more personal level before their wedding day. Each couple has a unique relationship, so that is what we strive to capture on the day of your session. It is normal to be a little bit nervous for an engagement session- it’s not everyday you stare lovingly into the eyes of your future spouse, haha! Rest assured that the day of your engagement session will be one to remember. I walk couples through different poses and help them interact naturally in front of the camera.

Besides taking photos, we laugh a LOT, adventure around looking for the best photo spots, and talk about your exciting wedding plans! (Oh, and I get to tell couples my “one joke” that never fails to at least get a pity laugh.) After your session, I highly recommend planning a dinner or date night for afterwards. The two of you will already be dressed up, and there is nothing worse than being dressed up and having nowhere to go! Grab dinner together or hang out at your favorite coffee shop so you can create even more fun memories on the day of your engagement session.

Meet Kati

Kati is a Houston, Texas based wedding photographer (who travels!) for the joyous couple who loves living life together. She’s a coffee enthusiast like myself, a Kate Spade lover, and also a former Texas A&M Aggie. (Side note: We actually graduated together in the same degree program and worked together in the Marketing department as teaching assistants! Needless to say, I miss her dearly.)

  • Website: katihewitt.com
  • Blog: katihewitt.com/blog
  • Facebook: Kati Hewitt Photography
  • Instagram: @katihewittphoto

Houston Texas based Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer

March 22, 2017

« The Hidden Costs in Planning Your Wedding
Wedding Registry Must-Haves »

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

  • Our Drive By Baby Shower / A Hosting Home BlogOur Drive By Baby Shower!
  • A Peek at Last Year's Christmas Decor / A Hosting Home BlogHow-To Transition Your Christmas Decor into the Rest of Winter
  • My Top 5 Holiday Hosting Tips VIDEO / A Hosting Home BlogMy Top 5 Holiday Hosting Tips (VIDEO)
  • How-To Get the Most From a Bridal Show

Comments

  1. Mandi H Mitchell says

    March 22, 2017 at 3:49 pm

    All great tips! Definitely stuff I tell my girls as well! This is awesome!

    Reply
    • cathynugentweddings says

      July 20, 2017 at 8:07 pm

      Thank you! I’m so glad you loved the post! I think this is great info for anyone engaged!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Atlanta based Award Winning Interior and Event Designer and Home Blogger Cathy Nugent

Hi, friends! I'm Cathy, a nationally published award winning designer of spaces to gather and southern belle writer based out of a small(ish) town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. However, most people know me as the Monica Geller of my friend group – a coffee connoisseur and dog mom with a huge heart for hosting and an eye for design. The heart behind what I do is simple. I want to help you be intentional on creating spaces to gather and celebrating life's precious moments - whether that be weddings, parties, or something as simple as having loved ones in your home. Living Simply, Loving Generously, and Hosting with Heart.

Follow A Hosting Home

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

POPULAR POSTS

Dark and Moody Study Lounge Design Plans | A Hosting Home Blog

Dark and Moody Study Lounge Design Plans | Study Mood Board

September 29, 2022

DIY Moody Staircase Shadow Box Trim Molding / A Hosting Home Blog

DIY Moody Staircase Shadow Box Trim

September 21, 2022

DIY Easter Keepsake Craft Ideas / A Hosting Home Blog

DIY Easter Keepsake Craft Ideas

April 2, 2021

How To Make a Design Board (for free!) / A Hosting Home Blog

How To Create a Design Board (for free!)

February 20, 2021

Chalk Paint China Cabinet Makeover with Wallpaper / A Hosting Home Blog

Using Rub n Buff to Update Antique Hardware

February 3, 2021


Spring gardening is right around the corner, and I Spring gardening is right around the corner, and I’m already starting to get ours prepped thanks to @walmart Lawn and Garden! #AD With a newborn and a toddler, running errands can be quite the task. But thanks to #WalmartLawnandGarden, I’ve been able to get everything I need to kickstart our garden this year in one place — from the convenience of snuggling my babies on my couch with Walmart.com and the app! The time it saved me from running all over town, I got to spend making core memories with John as we taught him how to start his very first set of seeds in the @jiffygroup seed starting tray. 

Here’s a look at what we got to kickstart our garden this year:
- The @jiffygroup Seed Starting Greenhouse Kit: to grow our own seedlings and get a head start on the season by starting them indoors! 
- The  @ferrymorseseed Seed Starting Heat Mat: to give our seeds the best chance possible to promote germination and improve transplant results 
- Ferry Morse Seeds (flowers, tomatoes, and peppers!) 
- @pennington Rejuvenate Potting Mix and Garden Soil: to give our seedlings the nutrients they need once transplanted into our garden 
- Pennington Rejuvenate Tomato Plant Food
- @scottslawn Landscaping Fabric: to keep our garden clean and free of pesky weeds
- The @flexonhose Flextreme Advanced 100ft Hose: to keep it all watered without fighting kinks as we move easily around our raised garden beds

Add this kit to your cart now ➡️ https://click2cart.com/59600bc

Get a jumpstart on your spring and summer garden this year by shopping everything you need at Walmart, in-store or online at Walmart.com. And stay tuned to see how our garden comes together and grows this year! 

#GrowYourGardenatWalmart #GreenThumbAndGardenVariety
Tired of constantly charging your Dyson? (Or reall Tired of constantly charging your Dyson? (Or really, are you tired of forgetting to charge your Dyson?) Because I was. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Enter in: a DIY-er’s solution ➡️ stick a @dewalttough battery on that thing and vacuum for weeks on a single charge. 

But really, I’ve been using the same battery charge for a couple weeks now on vacuuming the downstairs of our house — and with two kids and two dogs, I do a quick vacuum every single day (sometimes multiple times a day!) The best part? Can rotate and charge with all our other Dewalt tool batteries. 

Comment LINK 🔗 for a DM with links to shop or shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/432TF

#ahostinghome #ltkhome #diy #diyhacks #diyhack #diyprojects #diyproject #amazonfinds #dyson #ltkfamily #ltkfind
Wait for it… ✨ Still can’t get over this stu Wait for it… ✨ Still can’t get over this study transformation we finished right before baby got here! Officially my favorite room and project in the house right now. 😍 #ahostinghome 

Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in @behrpaint (Marquee, Eggshell) from @homedepot #swcolorlove #tricornblack #tricornblacksherwinwilliams 

Wallpaper : @wall.blush (See the full mural on the other wall on my stories saved to the ‘STUDY’ highlight bubble!) 

Comment LINK 🔗 for a DM with a link to shop sources or shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/42XaB

#diy #diyprojects #diyproject #diyhomeprojects #diyhomeimprovement #diyhomedecor #diybuilds #diybuild #diybuiltins #builtins #builtinshelves #bhghome #bhg #mybhg #bhglivebetter #whodatwithponderosa #hgtvmagazine #hgtvhome #diyideas #diylikeamother #diyhome #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #ltkhome
James Kayleb Nugent January 20th, 2023 💛 James James Kayleb Nugent
January 20th, 2023 💛

James was born last Friday morning, and spent the first 5 days in the NICU for some breathing issues and fluid in his lungs. While those days were extremely rough, trying, and brought back a lot of emotions from Layne’s birth — God is so good, and my heart is just overwhelmed by His faithfulness. My favorite moment in life thus far was surprising John before bedtime the night we were finally discharged to come home. I’ll never forget the look on his face when I walked through that door. Thank you, Jesus, for my babies. 🦋💛 #ahostinghome
10/10 recommend just going for it and painting the 10/10 recommend just going for it and painting the entire room black. ✨ #ahostinghome

Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in @behrpaint (Marquee, Eggshell) from @homedepot #swcolorlove #tricornblack #tricornblacksherwinwilliams 

Wallpaper : @wall.blush (See the full mural on the other wall on my stories saved to the ‘STUDY’ highlight bubble!) 

#diy #diyprojects #diyproject #diyhomeprojects #diyhomeimprovement #diyhomedecor #diybuilds #diybuild #diybuiltins #builtins #builtinshelves #bhghome #bhg #mybhg #bhglivebetter #hgtvmagazine #hgtvhome #diyideas #diyhome #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #traditionalhome #traditionalhomemagazine #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle
✨ STUDY REVEAL ✨ I got a lot of nervous respon ✨ STUDY REVEAL ✨ I got a lot of nervous responses when I said I wanted to design an all black formal study right off my entryway, but I’m completely obsessed with every detail of this space. Rob has always wanted a study, so my goal with this space when it’s finished is to have almost like a moody, swanky cigar lounge feel. When we moved into this house this spring, I told Rob I was done playing it “safe for resale” with designing projects. Here’s to more of doing whatever the heck I want design wise in 2023! 👏🏼✨ Next up: let’s get this space styled and furnished! #ahostinghome

// Paint Color: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in @behrpaint Marquee (satin on built ins, eggshell on walls) at @homedepot #swcolorlove #tricornblack #tricornblacksherwinwilliams 

// Wallpaper: @wall.blush 

// Light Fixture linked via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Yy4l #ltkhome 

#diy #diyproject #diyprojects #interiordesign #homedesign #builtins #diybuilds #diybuild #diyideas #diyhomeimprovement #diyhomeprojects #diyhomedecor #diylikeamother #diydesigntherapy #traditionalhome #traditionalhomemagazine #traditionalhomedecor #traditionalhomestyle #homerenovation #bhg #bhghome #mybhg #bhgcolor #bhglivebetter #bhgstylemaker
It’s been a year. ✨ & I can’t wait to see wh It’s been a year. ✨ & I can’t wait to see what the next one holds. #ahostinghome
“And with that, the 2022 season comes to an end. “And with that, the 2022 season comes to an end.” ✨🎄 When do you take your Christmas decor down? The Christmas decor got put away earlier this week, and the house always feels so empty every year when it gets taken down! I was going to wait till next week to take it down, but with only 3 weeks left until baby arrives I’m finding myself in total nesting mode right now. Behind the scenes we’ve been putting finishing touches on the study while Rob was off work for Christmas, so I’ll be sharing all the photos and updates on that to the feed soon. In the meantime, who wants to come organize closets and baby stuff with me?! 😜 #ahostinghome

#bhghome #bhg #bhgholiday #bhghowiholiday #bhgchristmas #bhgcelebrate #homedecor #christmas #christmasdecor #christmastree #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #traditionalhomemagazine #homedesign #interiordesign #tablescape #tablesetting #tabledecor #tablescapes #centerpiece #tablecenterpiece
✨ Christmas Karen-ing ✨ It’s like caroling, ✨ Christmas Karen-ing ✨ It’s like caroling, but from your least favorite neighbor. #ahostinghome 

#christmas #funnyvideos #funnymemes #funnyreels #momsofinstagram #christmasdecor #christmastree #christmastime #karen #bhghome #whodatwithponderosa #bhgholiday #bhghowiholiday #bhgchristmas #bhgcelebrate #sourhernliving #hgtv #hgtvmagazine #hgtvhome #countryliving #momlife #momreels #christmaskaren

CATEGORIES

 

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

Follow A Hosting Home

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube