Even though things are completely abnormal right now, there’s one thing that holds true: weddings are meant to be fun, not a big ball of stress! If you’ve been forced to speed up, postpone, cancel, downsize, or change your wedding day in any way, you aren’t alone. The thing is, there’s more to a wedding than just the ceremony. Cue engagement photos! Though we’re in the “selfie” age, you can still have a special, fun photoshoot to commemorate your upcoming union.

So, brainstorming time. Where do you want to shoot? What do you want to wear? When do you want to do it? All those things are up to you, of course, but to get you started, we’re here to talk about what to wear for engagement photos.

Shoutout to Utah Valley Bride for always being on top of things as far as weddings are concerned! They gave a really detailed guide with inspo pics to recap what was trending in 2019. When choosing what to wear for engagement photos, you can do anything from super glam to casual, and everything in between. Are you an outdoorsy denim lover? Or do you prefer the flowy nature of a cute dress? Something we’re LOVING is when brides opt to wear something in the colors they chose for the big day for their engagement shoot, because it really ties everything together nicely.

Remember that these ‘shoots’ don’t have to be super formal or styled; your ‘engagement shot’ could be something as simple as a photo before, after, or during the popped question. It’s supposed to be a memory of that moment, and sometimes, that moment isn’t planned to the minute.

Here’s where it gets fun. We want to give you some inspo on what to wear for engagement photos depending on the season! Let’s kick things off with summer, since it’s, well, summer.

Summer is color’s time to shine, in the best possible way. But, many think summer means bright colors like hot pinks, sunny yellows, and electric blues. While that’s true, there are more color palettes to keep in mind when planning your summer shoot. There’s an essence of beauty in neutrals like tans, whites, greys, and yes, even navy. We’re also loving earth tones like greens, marigolds, browns, and blues. You can’t go wrong with a monochrome look in any sort of color, but white is especially striking in the summertime.

Summer is a time for fun in the sun – whether that be out on the town, off at a beach, lake, or pool, wandering through gardens and groves, or spending time hiking, biking, and enjoying nature. This is the season for getting outside rather than opting for a studio shoot.

In the warmer months, you’ll get vivid sunrises, a warm golden hour, and bright background hues. It’s the ideal season for candid, outdoor adventure types of shoots, as the weather is comfortable, the days are long, and there’s lots to do. Plus, summer is a fun time to play with fashion, like statement hats or sassy sandals to accompany your engagement outfit.

Fall is just about everyone’s favorite season, right? There’s something comforting about the transitional season, where you can get both warm and cool breezes, bright reds, oranges, and yellows in the tired trees, cozy sweaters, blankets, and warm teas or cocoas. And who doesn’t love pumpkin patches, apple picking, corn mazes, and jumping in piles of leaves? You can also embrace your spookier side with Halloween, enjoy all the fall foods, and prepare for the fun that is the holiday season. Here in Utah, the Sundance Scenic Lift takes you up the mountain that becomes a haven for skiers once the snow falls, and gliding above the changing mountains is a sight to behold.

But what about fall fashion? We mentioned that summer is a fun season to experiment with hats, but guess what? Fall is, too! From berets, scarves, fedoras and floppy hats to statement clips and hair accessories, the cooler months are a perfect time to try new trends. Fall colors are possibly our favorites, with all the jewel tones and rich hues. When you pair that with cozy fabrics, you’ve got yourself a winning look for your engagement photos.

Winter brides are as unique as the snowflakes that dust the trees during these colder months. There’s a sort of magic that envelops the winter months – maybe it’s the holiday jitters, maybe it’s the twinkling icicle lights, the jovial music, the cocoa and cookies, the Hallmark movies… we aren’t quite sure, but it’s definitely the most magical time of the year. Winter is also a haven for fun outdoor activities like skiing, sledding, sleigh rides, light tours, and caroling. This means you have unique, seasonal backdrop options for your winter engagement photos.

You just have to find the right photographer who’s willing to brave the cold ;)

So, what do you wear? Because it’s colder, some people think it’s harder to have fun with fashion, but we think the opposite if you have the right inspiration. The icy temperatures don't equal frumpy, but you may want to start off with functional pieces. Keep in mind that bundling up can be super cute. Who doesn’t love layers? From poofy wraps (you know the kind) to scarves and sweaters, the sky’s the limit with winter fashion. Marshmallow, who?

Spring is fun! The colors brighten as things are reborn, trees blossom, flowers bloom, and generally, you’ll likely get some stunning engagement shots in the spring. Pastels are traditional and all the rage, but you can’t beat a good neutral look against all the fresh colors, either. You can even whip out white if you’re so bold, but of course, style can be anything if you wear pieces confidently.

You can graze in flower patches, frolic in the forests, or bask in the springtime sun. It’s the perfect time for hiking and getting outdoors before things get too hot, so you can easily find beautiful lakes and mountaintops that are awake and ready to be the backdrop to your once-in-a-lifetime shoot.

Spring fashion is ever changing, so it’s difficult to guess what colors, shapes, and styles will be ‘in’ when spring rolls around again. But, typically cute prints and detailing shine through in any season, so spring should be no exception. Recently, matching sets – tops and skirts/shorts – have grown in popularity. Midi skirts, lightweight fabrics, and fun sneakers have as well. So, let’s give you some inspo by formality, and you can decide what kind of spring engagement shoot style you’re after.

Don’t let picking an outfit overwhelm you too much. Yes, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, but stressing about what to wear for engagement photos is not the main focus. Focus on having fun during your shoot – you’re taking pictures with your forever best friend, after all! Don’t feel pressure to drastically change your style for this one shoot! Make an effort to look like yourself, because that’s the authentic self you’ll remember when looking back at the special photos.

You also don’t have to go out and get all new clothes, shoes, and accessories, but it’s a big part of the fun! That’s what Called To Surf is all about. We have a wide variety of different pieces that you can mix and match to make your perfect engagement outfit, and we carry an array of different accessories – from hats and bags to jewelry and hair clips. Whatever you’re looking for, we can almost guarantee that we have something that will work. Stop in or check out our website today! Our associates are there to make the whole experience a bit less stressful and a little more fun.