So, you’ve just said “yes” to the love of your life and now you’re engaged. Congratulations!!! This is SUCH an exciting time in your life, filled with joy, love, and plenty of planning. As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen countless newly engaged couples navigate this stage, and I’m here to offer some tips on what to do when you get engaged, with a particular focus on planning your engagement session. There is so much that goes into it and I’m here to help you simplify it!
Before diving into the logistics of planning your engagement session, take some time to simply sit in the joy and excitement of this huge milestone in your relationship. Celebrate with your partner, and enjoy being engaged to each other, and don’t forget to look back on all the amazing memories you’ve made together. This is a time to savor and cherish, so take a moment to enjoy being engaged before the whirlwind of wedding planning begins…
Choosing Your Wedding Date and Venue
One of the most exciting parts of wedding planning is selecting the perfect wedding date and venue. When choosing a date, consider the season, weather, and any significant dates that may already be on your calendar. Whether you dream of a romantic spring ceremony or a winter wedding, the date you choose will set the tone for your entire day. When it comes to selecting a venue, think about your personal style and vision for your wedding day. From a rustic vibe to elegant venues to beachfront resorts and vineyard estates, the options are endless. Be sure to consider the atmosphere you want to create and any special amenities or features that are important to you! Once you find a venue that speaks to you and fits the vision you have of your dream wedding day, you’ll be one step closer to bringing your big day to life!!
Planning Your Engagement Session
One of the first things to consider when you are engaged is planning your engagement shoot. These photos are an amazing way to capture the love between you and your partner. They are also great to announce your engagement to the world! The first step in planning your engagement shoot is choosing your outfits. While you may be tempted to wear that bright, eye-catching dress or shirt, I always recommend opting for neutral or complementary tones. Trust me on this one! Neutral colors such as whites, creams, grays, and soft pastels tend to photograph well and won’t distract from the main focus – you and your partner. Complementary colors can also work well together, such as navy blue and blush pink or olive green!
Finding a Photographer
Once you’ve chosen your outfits, the next step is to find a photographer to capture your engagement photos. Look for a photographer whose style aligns with yours and who has experience shooting engagement sessions and weddings! A great way to find a photographer is to ask for recommendations from friends or family who have recently gotten engaged or married and do your own research. You can also search online for local photographers and browse their portfolios to get a sense of their work. Instagram, Tik Tok, and Pinterest are also great platforms to find local photographs and see more of their work as a whole.
Engagement Session Location
When choosing a location for your engagement shoot, think about places that hold special meaning to you and your partner. Or you can choose locations that showcase the vibe you’re going for. Whether it’s the park where you had your first date, the beach where you love to watch the sunset, the city streets, or even your home or a studio, the location can set the tone for your photos and make them unique to you as a couple.
If you’re feeling totally stuck when it comes to location ideas then don’t stress! There are plenty of options to consider. First things first, think about what kind of vibes you and your partner are into. Your photographer may have a ton of location ideas up their sleeve that will perfectly capture your unique love story too. Remember, this session is all about celebrating your relationship and having fun, so choose a location that speaks to you and your partner and fits the vibe you’re going for.
The Day of Your Engagement Session
On the day of your engagement session, try to relax and enjoy the day with your partner. I always recommend taking the day off and spending the day hanging out and even getting ready together can be fun. Remember that the best photos are often the ones where you are being yourselves and expressing your love naturally. Trust your photographer to guide you through poses and locations and don’t be afraid to have fun and be playful with each other! Whenever I’m photographing my couples, I often like to get to know them and allow them to get to know me. Building a connection is HUGE when it comes to your photographer since they could potentially be your wedding photographer.
What To Do With Your Engagement Photos
After your engagement session, you’ll likely receive an online gallery of edited photos from your photographer. Take the time to review the photos together with your partner and choose your favorites for sharing with friends and family! You can share them on social media to announce your engagement to others or use them for save-the-date cards. These photos can also be framed and displayed in your home as a reminder of this special time in your relationship as well!! Another idea is to create a custom photo album or canvas to hold these special moments. You can also use these photos for your wedding website which is essential when wedding planning. Guestbooks filled with your engagement photos is also a great idea or even thank you cards.
Overall, your engagement photos are an amazing way to capture the happiness and excitement of this milestone in your relationship. It offers a unique time to spend with your fiancé, capturing your story, before you are husband and wife. There are countless ways to showcase these images for years to come.
In addition to planning your engagement session, there are a few other important things to consider when you are engaged. Start thinking about your wedding budget, guest list, and potential wedding dates. It’s also a good time to begin researching videographers, florists, caterers, make up and hair artists, and other vendors you may need for your wedding day! Engagement photos are just the beginning of the fun planning process you’ll have ahead.
I hope you enjoyed reading about what to do when you are engaged! If you’d like to see more, click here. If you’re looking for someone to capture your special day, click here!
Kind Words
“Jill is an amazing photographer. She went above and beyond to coordinate our shoot before we even met. She provided a mood board with inspo and made us feel so comfortable during the shoot. The photos came out great! We did a sunset beach photo shoot for our anniversary. My favorite photos are attached!“
