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What to Wear for Your Engagement Photoshoot in Georgia: Colors, Styles and Fits to Look Your Best

What to Wear for Your Engagement Photoshoot in Georgia

Your engagement session is about more than just capturing beautiful photos; it’s a celebration of your love story and the exciting journey to your wedding day! Choosing the perfect engagement photo outfits is one of the most important steps to ensure you love how you look and feel during your shoot. As a Georgia-based wedding photographer, I’ve worked with countless couples to help them look and feel their best in front of the camera.

In this guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know about dressing for your engagement photos—whether you’re shooting in the rolling hills of North Georgia, the romantic streets of Savannah, or somewhere in between.

Inspiration for Georgia couples searching for engagement session outfit ideas | Photo by Atlanta Georgia wedding photographer Emily Nicole Photography depicts a couple in a midi, flutter sleeved white dress and tan pants and blue suit jacket, sitting on a garden bench

The Impact of Outfits in Photos

Your outfits can set the tone for your engagement session and significantly impact how your photos look and feel. Engagement photos are often used for save-the-dates, wedding websites, and framed wall art in your home. This means your outfits should feel timeless, cohesive, and authentic to your style as a couple.

The right clothing choices can highlight your best features, complement your surroundings, and bring out the emotions you want to convey. It’s also a great opportunity to subtly reflect the aesthetic of your wedding day, whether you’re going for Southern elegance, modern minimalism, or boho chic vibes.

Inspiration for Georgia couples searching for engagement session outfit ideas | Photo by Atlanta Georgia wedding photographer Emily Nicole Photography depicts a couple in an all tan suit and a floral dress with '60s inspired hairstyles

Best Colors for Photos

Color Analysis for Personalized Confidence

If you’ve ever stood in your closet wondering why certain shades make you glow while others leave you feeling washed out, let me introduce you to the magic of color analysis. I recently had my own color analysis done with House of Colour Canton, and let me tell you—it was a game-changer!

After working with Alli, one of their stylists, I discovered I’m a winter! That means bold, cool-toned hues like emerald green, royal blue, and crisp white highlight my features best. Knowing my season has completely transformed how I shop and choose outfits, including what I wear for photos. I highly recommend booking a session with House of Colour Canton if you’re near North Georgia. The confidence you’ll gain from knowing your best colors will make your engagement photos even more stunning! And it takes so much of the decision fatigue out of choosing your engagement photo outfits.

Colors That Photograph Well

Regardless of your season, some colors universally photograph beautifully:

  • Soft neutrals: Beige, cream, taupe, and gray provide a timeless, elegant feel.
  • Pastels: Blush pink, baby blue, and lavender work well for romantic, light-filled photos.
  • Rich jewel tones: Emerald green, deep burgundy, and navy stand out in natural settings like gardens or mountains.

Avoid neon or overly bright colors, as they can cast unflattering tones on your skin. Patterns should also be minimal—think subtle florals or classic stripes—so they don’t distract from your faces.

Inspiration for Georgia couples searching for engagement session outfit ideas | Photo by Atlanta Georgia wedding photographer Emily Nicole Photography depicts a couple wearing a baby blue button down shirt and light colored khakis and a midi-length wrap style floral dress

Engagement Photo Outfit Ideas for Couples

For Her:

  • Maxi dresses or skirts: Flowy fabrics add movement and elegance, perfect for outdoor sessions.
  • Tailored jumpsuits: These can be a chic and modern option if you’re not into dresses.
  • Accessories: Statement earrings or a delicate necklace can elevate your look. And don’t forget shoes you can walk comfortably in between locations!

For Him:

  • Button-down shirts: Choose solid colors or subtle patterns that complement your partner’s outfit.
  • Blazers: A tailored blazer over a casual shirt adds sophistication without feeling too formal.
  • Dark jeans or chinos: Neutral pants like navy or khaki pair well with almost any shirt.

Together:

When coordinating as a couple, aim for complementary colors without being overly matchy-matchy. For example, if she’s wearing a soft blush dress, he could wear a light gray shirt with navy pants. This creates a harmonious look without feeling too planned.

Inspiration for Georgia couples searching for engagement session outfit ideas | Photo by Atlanta Georgia wedding photographer Emily Nicole Photography depicts a couple wearing a powder blue eyelet dress and dark blue sports coat and jeans.

Tips for Comfort and Style

Your engagement session is meant to be fun, not stressful! Here’s how to ensure your outfits feel as good as they look:

  • Prioritize comfort: Choose fabrics that move with you and shoes you can walk in for longer sessions.
  • Layer thoughtfully: Georgia weather can be unpredictable, so consider bringing layers like a light jacket or scarf that complement your outfit.
  • Dress for the location: If your session is in a natural setting like North Georgia vineyards, opt for earthy tones and comfortable shoes. For a city vibe in Atlanta, go for sleek, modern styles.
Inspiration for Georgia couples searching for engagement session outfit ideas | Photo by Atlanta Georgia wedding photographer Emily Nicole Photography depicts a couple in a monochromatic outfit – the bride-to-be is wearing an all black tiered, short dress with long sleeves and the groom-to-be is in an all black suit.

How to Pick Your Perfect Engagement Photo Outfits

Still unsure what to outfit to wear for your engagement photos? Here’s a step-by-step approach:

  1. Start with your vision: Think about the vibe you want for your photos—casual, formal, playful, or romantic. This will guide your outfit choices.
  2. Choose a color palette: Use color analysis or a complementary scheme to find colors that flatter both you and your partner.
  3. Shop intentionally: Invest in quality pieces that you’ll feel confident in. If you’re local to Canton or Vinings, there are plenty of boutique options to explore!
  4. Plan ahead: Lay out your outfits, complete with accessories, a week before your session. This leaves time for any last-minute tweaks or dry cleaning.
Engagement photo outfits | Inspiration for Georgia couples searching for engagement session outfit ideas | Photo by Atlanta Georgia wedding photographer Emily Nicole Photography depicts an engaged couple next to a pond. The bride is wearing a white dress with blue floral lace and the groom is wearing khakis and a dark suit jacket.

Your engagement photo outfits should feel like you—elevated, polished, and completely unique to your love story. If you’re ready to book your engagement session and need help styling your looks, I’d be thrilled to guide you. Together, we’ll create timeless images you’ll treasure forever!

I include engagement sessions as a key part of the ENP Wedding Experience. Reach out to book your wedding and engagement session today!

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When Taylor reached out about having me photograph her Hilton Head Island wedding, I could hardly believe it. Since marrying my husband, I’ve enjoyed annual trips to Hilton Head with my in-laws, who have been visiting for years. I’m not much of a beach person (love my lake life!) but the beauty of the low country made this a top bucket list place for photographing a future wedding. Kolby & Taylor made that a dream come true, as they lived their own dream day! On September 14 at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort, Kolby & Taylor tied the knot – and I got to be a Hilton Head Island wedding photographer.

A Hilton Head Island Engagement

Kolby and Taylor met while they were in their respective professional programs. Kolby was attending Duke University for Physical Therapy. Taylor was attending law school at UNC Chapel Hill. They connected pre-Covid, stayed in contact all throughout, and finally met in person when they each returned to campus in August of 2020.

As a couple, they made a habit of exercising together every morning, taking walks and runs to talk about life and their goals. They also love visiting Hilton Head Island, where Taylor’s family lives. The beach is their happy place, where they both enjoy the sunshine and relaxation time. Kolby will listen to a podcast, and Taylor will read her books. They also like to play Spikeball, chat about life, and enjoy the water.

Fast forward a couple years. Kolby and Taylor would travel to spend a lot of time in Hilton Head, where Taylor’s family lives. After what Taylor thought was just a normal weekend visit, they went out to dinner, and her whole family decided to take a walk through a nice park on the water. While posing for pictures, Kolby got down on one knee! That park has now become a special place on the island for the two of them.

Their Hilton Head Island Wedding Day

Their wedding day was a source of some slight anxiety that week. Kevin and I decided to take a week to visit Hilton Head. We celebrated our second anniversary on the island. But the entire week, the weather was not kind to us. It was rainy, chilly, humid, and very few hours of actual sun the entire week. The forecast threatened much of the same miserable wedding for Kolby and Taylor’s big day.

To be clear: RAIN ON A WEDDING DAY IS OK. It’s unavoidable, and you can still get GORGEOUS images on a rainy day. I have plenty of proof of that from Zach & Camille’s wedding, Mary & Joey’s wedding, Kevin & Emma’s wedding, and so many more! My own wedding day still stands as the rainiest wedding I have ever attended, and I LOVE my wedding photos.

But I knew rain would add certain challenges based on their chosen Hilton Head Island wedding venues. Their ceremony was set for the beach at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort. I selfishly wished, for the sake of my photos (and for Kolby & Taylor’s experience), that the sun would peek out even if just for the ceremony.

The Lord heard our prayers, because the entire day was fantastic weather!! Our only challenge was the intense wind on the beach, but even that couldn’t affect how beautiful the ceremony was. I shot quickly and took many photos of each shot to ensure we had at least one good option despite windswept hair and dresses.

Between the glorious, glowy sunlight and the wind, their portraits on the beach turned out to be so epic! Taylor’s dress flew dramatically in many of the shots. And her hair and makeup artist deserves a round of applause. Her updo survived and looked gorgeous even as the wind took the wispy pieces left out.

Highlights of the Day

There was so much to love about this wedding. On a personal note, it was my first wedding back in the saddle after giving birth to my daughter! (Birth story soon to come!) Despite worries of feeling a little rusty with postpartum brain fog, I’m feeling bold enough to say this was my favorite/best work yet! Here are some highlights you’ll want to seek out as you scroll:

A Dreamy Tower

Shoutout to Taylor’s friend and bridesmaid Jordan for showing me the tower room at Gull Island Manor, a short-term rental house in Sea Pines! I never would’ve known to wander up there, but it ended up being the dreamiest spot for details and Taylor’s getting ready photos! That light – *chef’s kiss*!

Lean Supplies And A Broken Ring Dish

For the couple’s wedding day details, I really didn’t bring a ton with me from my usually packed styling kit. We had to travel light to fit the essentials. What’s more, my favorite ring dish snapped in half when I dropped it going up the stone steps to the manor!

It was time to get creative. I actually ended up loving the look of my broken ring dish and decided to use it! I also found some dead palm foliage on the outer landscaping to feature in the flat lay of details. Paired with a wisp of Spanish moss, what once was a lean styling kit soon became true-to-location details that made the photos sing “Hilton Head Island wedding.” This just goes to show: Less is more. The less I have to work with in preparation for styling details has sometimes led to my most creative work!

A Touching Island Wedding Ceremony at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort

Despite the crazy wind, we were all so grateful for beautiful sunlight during Kolby & Taylor’s wedding ceremony at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort. Kolby & Taylor opted out of having a First Look, so I was dead set on getting Kolby’s reaction to seeing his beautiful bride. What I captured was one of the sweetest Groom reactions – instant happy tears as she came down from the dunes.

Another standout moment from their ceremony happened toward the end. Kolby’s dad officiated the ceremony. After a beautiful exchanging of the rings, and just before inviting the first kiss, he began choking up as he pronounced them husband and wife. It was so profound coming from a father (and now father-in-law). You could hear the soft “aww” reactions from the guests. That was such an emotional, happy moment!

Experience > Tradition

Kolby & Taylor planned a truly personal and intimate wedding reception at Gull Island Manor. It more so mimicked a dinner party than wedding reception. They hosted a warm cocktail hour with an open bar featuring their signature cocktails. Guests could explore the grounds while enjoying appetizers and getting their photo taken by the live painter commissioned to watercolor their portrait for a unique take-home gift.

When dinner was ready to start, guests descended to the lower tier of the garden overlooking the marsh. There, a long singular table was set with cheesecloth, candle sticks, place settings, and customized name plates made out of oyster shells.

The couple came down last, but there was no planned fanfare. They decided to forego the traditional dances and simply welcome guests to a laid back dinner serenaded by live musicians. This allowed the couple plenty of time to mingle with each guest and create special memories with the entire party, including a surprise visit from Keebler their dog. I absolutely loved this approach to a wedding celebration – and I could tell everyone else did too!

Final Thoughts From Kolby & Taylor’s Hilton Head Island Wedding

I’m so honored to have served as Kolby & Taylor’s wedding photographer. The entire experience was a dream for me – one that I hope opens the opportunity for even more chances to expand as an HHI wedding photographer. Their warmth and friendship was extended to me from the start, and their guests and family were a true delight to spend the day with.

I’ve begun asking couples to share what they love most about one another, and what excites them for marriage. Here’s how they answered.

What Taylor Loves Most About Kolby

“I love how devoted Kolby is to our little family. He is the most selfless person I know and would do anything to make things easier on others. He supports me emotionally and has the utmost patience when it comes to helping me navigate stressful situations, and he would do literally anything for our dog Keebler. Keebler gets to go to the dog park, walks, gets bones, pup cups, everything! He’s so spoiled because Kolby likes to take such good care of him.”

What Kolby Loves Most About Taylor

“I love how much Taylor guides and anchors me in our life. I am a very good-with-the-flow person which helps me stay optimistic and positive. However, I struggle sometimes with direction and focus because of this. Taylor has given me so much purpose in life and given me the direction for how I want my life to go. She is so ambitious and helps me make goals for ourselves that I would’ve never thought possible. Even in the few years I’ve known her, she’s helped me achieve goals and see a future I would’ve never thought possible for myself and for us.”

The Most Beautiful Thing About Marriage: According to Kolby & Taylor

“The most beautiful thing about marriage in my eyes is the commitment to stand by your partner no matter what life brings. My parents have had a long marriage and I admire the way that they’ve stuck by each other through every challenge. It’s easy to walk away from something when things become difficult but marriage is the commitment to another person to instead engage with them and work through the issues instead of walking away. In my eyes, marriage is beautiful because its permanent.”


K&T, I wish you both so much happiness in your marriage. Enjoy your honeymoon in Europe!!

If you love my work and you’re considering getting married in Hilton Head Island, or another destination in the southern East Coast, I would love to chat! I am based in the DC area but travel often for weddings. Contact me for more information!

Vendor Shoutouts

I was honored to work alongside a vendor dream team, consisting of the following talent:

Kolby & Taylor's Intimate Wedding at Gull Island Manor on Hilton Head Island | A wide shot of Gull Island Manor, available for short-term rental via VRBO

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