Congrats You're Engaged... Now What? A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Your Engagement Session

Congrats! You're engaged now! Your engagement session is an exciting way to celebrate this special chapter and capture beautiful, authentic moments as well as snag those pics for the Save the Dates. But if you're wondering how to prepare for it and what you need to know or do... I got you covered!

So the first step... decide on a vibe or a theme. Your engagement session should reflect who you are as a couple. One of my favorite shoots incorporated a bench that the couple had some of their deep talks on. Another shoot was down in Hollywood Candy for a vintage vibe. Here's a few ideas to get you started.

Whimsical - flowing dresses, soft pastels, and an outdoor setting like a field or a lake
Urban & Chic - Stylish outfits with a modern city backdrop, rooftop views, or alleyways
Hobbies or Favorite Restaurant - self explanatory!
Vintage - themed outfits, downtown locations, ivy covered walls or buildings

Once you've decided on the vibe, what you wear will play the next big role in how your photos look. I did a blog post on how to choose outfits for a family session and honestly, all of those tips apply here :

Choose light neutrals & soft colors - these photograph beautifully and look good with any color scheme on that save-the-date, just in case you happen to change your mind later on! Think soft beige, light blues, sage greens, blushes, or whites. Brides often choose white for their photos, although you definitely don't have to! It is a good excuse, though, if you want to buy that cute dress you've been eyeing...
Coordinate, don't match - choose outfits that complement each other without being "matchy-matchy". If one of you is wearing a pattern, keep the other in solid colors.
Location & season - flowy dresses look beautiful in open fields and nature settings, while structured outfits work better in formal, urban settings. Make sure to dress for the weather!
Avoid distractions - skip the big logos, neon colors, or busy patterns. Those things can take away attention from you and your fiance.
Bring an extra outfit, an accessory - or jacket! Having one casual and one dressier look can give variety to your photos and leave you with more options for save-the-dates or hanging on the wall in your apartment. As far as accessories or props are concerned, wide brimmed hats for the ladies is a favorite of mine. I wore a hat in our engagement photos - the only time in my life I've ever done that, not a big hat girlie - and the photos came out sooooo good. 10/10 would recommend. Also cowboy hats for guys make for some fun photo opportunities.

Next up is choosing the location for your shoot. Your engagement session should feel personal to you. If you can't decide, I have a list of locations around Omaha I share with my couples and always have recommendations based on the season. Some ideas to get you started are:

A scenic outdoor spot - a field of flowers, a forest-y trail, or a lakeside sunset.
An urban setting - your favorite coffee shop, city streets, or a rooftop skyline.
A sentimental location - where you had your first date, a park you love, or even your own home! Just make sure your photographer has the proper lighting equipment if you're wanting to shoot indoors.

Some final tips once you've picked a vibe, your outfits, and a location...

Clean your ring! Honestly, it'll be in more photos than you probably expect. Give it a good clean before your session. If you don't have a chance to take it into a professional, you can soak it in warm water to loosen the dirt, and then gently scrub it clean with mild soap and a soft toothbrush. Something a jeweler told me once, make sure you are cleaning the bottom of the gemstones, not just the tops. It's actually usually the dirt on the bottom - underneath and in the settings - that cause rings to lose their sparkle.

Schedule your session around golden hour or blue hour - the soft, warm glow right before sunrise or after sunset creates the most magical lighting for photos.

Get your nails done! This includes guys too (y'all don't need polish, but clean up the cuticles and smooth out the rough edges) - your hands will be in a LOT of close-up shots.

Relax and have fun! The best photos happen when you're just being yourself. Enjoy the time spent with your fiance - laugh, cuddle, kiss, and enjoy the moments! After all, you're getting MARRIED!!

CassandraMarie Photography

Services in Omaha, NE

and surrounding areas

Email: cassandramariephotography3@gmail.com

Phone - What'sApp: 402-238-6309

This website was created in WebWave website builder.