Planning your engagement photos and not sure what to wear? You’re not alone. As an Ottawa wedding photographer, one of the most common questions I get is: “What should we wear for our engagement session?”
Your engagement shoot is all about capturing the love between you and your partner, so you want to look and feel your best—without stressing about fashion. This guide breaks down what to wear for your engagement photos, with tips that work in any season, for any couple, and especially for beautiful outdoor locations around Ottawa, Ontario.
1. Dress Like Yourselves—But a Little Elevated
You don’t need to dress formal unless you want to. The best outfits are ones that feel true to your style, just a bit more polished than your everyday look. Think “favourite date night outfit”—comfortable, stylish, and confidence-boosting.
Ottawa engagement photos often take place in nature (like at Mer Bleue or the Experimental Farm), so make sure you can move easily and feel at home in your outfit.
2. Coordinate, Don’t Match
Avoid wearing identical colours or outfits. Instead, choose a colour palette that flows together—like soft neutrals, earthy tones, or pastels. If one person is wearing a pattern, the other should keep it simple.
This tip helps your outfits look great in camera while still letting your personalities shine through.
3. Avoid Distracting Logos or Loud Patterns
When deciding what to wear for engagement photos, less is more. Solid colours or subtle textures photograph best. Logos, neon, or high-contrast prints can be distracting and age your photos.
Stick with timeless tones that suit the environment—especially if your session is in places like Dow’s Lake, Major’s Hill Park, or a hidden waterfall near Ottawa.
4. Bring Two Outfits
Most of my couples bring two looks: one more casual and one a little dressier. A flowy dress or button-up shirt can go a long way in creating elegant, romantic vibes. A wardrobe change also adds variety to your engagement photo gallery—perfect for social media and your wedding website.
5. Dress for the Season & Location
Ottawa’s weather changes fast, so dress for the season. For fall engagement sessions, think cozy layers, scarves, and boots. In summer, breathable fabrics like linen or cotton work best. Always consider your footwear if we’re heading into nature—you might want to bring walking shoes and switch into nicer ones for portraits.
6. Match Your Outfits to the Style and Mood You Want in Your Engagement Photos
What you wear plays a big role in the overall mood of your photos. Before you pick outfits, think about the look and feel you want from your Ottawa engagement session. Are you aiming for timeless and romantic? Trendy and editorial? Cozy and candid?
For a light, romantic feel, go with soft neutrals, earth tones, or pastels. Flowy fabrics like chiffon, cotton, or linen look beautiful in motion and work great in natural locations like forest trails, lakeside parks, or waterfalls around Ottawa.
Prefer something modern and bold? Solid black, white, or monochrome outfits create a sleek, high-contrast look. This works especially well in urban settings like downtown Ottawa, near architectural landmarks or art murals.
When you match your outfit choices to your shoot location and desired photo style, the results feel cohesive and elevated. If you're unsure which direction to go, I can help you choose a look that suits your location and reflects your personalities.
7. Accessories and Details Matter
A hat, a jacket, your dog’s cute bandana—it all adds to your story. Just don’t go overboard. Less is usually more. If you’re bringing your pup (yes, please!), let me know—we can coordinate their look too.
8. Hair, Makeup & Nails
This is a great time to book your wedding makeup trial. Even if you don’t usually wear makeup, a little extra polish goes a long way on camera. Don’t forget about clean nails, tidy hair, and moisturized hands—those ring shots are coming!
Final Thoughts: Engagement Photo Outfits Made Easy
Choosing what to wear for your engagement photos doesn’t have to be stressful. Stick with what feels authentic, coordinate with your partner, and consider your photo location in Ottawa.
As your photographer, I’m here to help every step of the way. I’ll send a location, help with outfit suggestions, and make sure your session feels relaxed, fun, and memorable.
Planning an Engagement Session in Ottawa?
Let’s chat about your dream engagement photos! Whether we’re hiking to a hidden waterfall, strolling through the ByWard Market, or cozying up at home, I’ll help capture the real, natural connection between you and your partner.
📸 Tim Gowling Photography – Wedding & Engagement Photographer in Russell & Ottawa