How to Choose Men's Engagement Photo Attire for a Picture-Perfect Shoot

While engagement photos may not get the same buzz as wedding photos, choosing an outfit as the groom-to-be is an important part of creating a set of shots you’ll cherish forever. After all, these are the images that you and your partner will likely share on social media and when sending out save-the-dates.

Before you start to panic over what to wear, however, Jerod Walburn of The Black Tux and jewelry company Marke notes that finding an outfit isn't as difficult as you might think. “The outfit you choose should reflect your style, your taste, and your personality," he explains. "I recommend leaning toward something timeless versus trendy, but that’s not a hard rule—your wedding photos are the ones that really need to withstand the test of time.” You should also consider the location and your partner's outfit in order to put together a cohesive aesthetic that defines your engagement era. 

Interested in a few more tips? Here, Walburn shares his expert advice on how to put together men’s engagement photo outfits. Plus, we provide a roundup of 10 real-life examples to help inspire your own look.

How to Choose a Men's Engagement Photo Outfit

Putting together an outfit for your engagement photos may not require as much care as choosing your wedding day attire, but it’s still essential to build a look that feels comfortable, personalized, and special. “These photos should feel like you—maybe a slightly more polished version of you, but something you’d actually wear,” adds Walburn, who further shares his top four outfit selection tips, as highlighted below.

Work With Your Wardrobe

While you may be tempted to start from scratch with an all-new outfit, Walburn recommends building your engagement photo attire around at least one of your current favorite pieces, like “a jacket, your favorite button-up dress shirt, or the worn-in leather boots you’ve worn a thousand times.” This will anchor your look within your current style while leaving plenty of opportunities to elevate it.

Add Polish

“Dressing up is all about the details,” Walburn says: Choose one or two items you wear on repeat and replace them with more tailored, thoughtful versions. “Instead of those trail runners you wear to the store for runs, and to walk the dog, pick a nice pair of lace-ups or clean (even new) sneakers. Instead of an athletic t-shirt you’ve worn on repeat, find a solid cotton t-shirt or try a button-up. Denim’s great, but darker is better here.” 

Adding men’s jewelry—whether bold or understated—can also take your outfit from too simple to perfectly curated. “Watches, chains, bracelets, signet rings—these are all small details that make a big impact,” says Walburn. “But again, if that isn’t you, don’t feel pressure to jump on a trend—or else opt for classic, simple designs.”

Consider the Location

Donning a suit for a photo shoot at your favorite campsite or choosing denim for your museum backdrop can create a disconnect that distracts from your final photos. “Think of it this way: If you were invited to a party at the location or venue you’ve chosen for your photos, what would you wear?” says Walburn. “Or reverse it—if there’s something you really want to wear for these photos, make sure you pick an engagement photo location that’s in line with the outfit.”

Incorporate Your Personal Style

Regardless of the season, location, or color palette you and your partner choose for your engagement photos, you can–and should—incorporate your personal style. “If you’re the type that really embraces trends, I don’t think you should tone it down or stifle your style for engagement photos,” notes Walburn. “ And if you only suit up once in a while, there’s no pressure to force it—it’s probably better to dress your look down a little.”

Relax a suit by wearing a dress shirt without a tie and switching in a blazer for a jacket, or upgrade a t-shirt by layering on a sweater or cardigan, suggests Walburn. “Black, neutrals, browns, and navy are all timeless colors,” he adds. “For grooms-to-be, avoid going heavy on logos and brand names—and avoid a baseball cap, unless that’s the theme. The only way you’ll really miss the mark here is if you let someone else pick your outfit.”

How to Coordinate Your Outfit With Your Partner

You and your partner bring out the best in each other because of your differences—not because you’re exactly the same—and that applies to your engagement photo style, too. Unless you have a very specific vision (or a professional stylist on retainer), Walburn recommends choosing looks that aren’t identical: No matching t-shirts, copycat prints, or almost-duplicate hues.

“The safest bet is to stay in the same color family or complement your partner’s colorful look with something neutral (or vice versa),” he shares. “I would avoid matching outfits unless that’s the theme or an integral part of your engagement shoot. It can be done, but it’s so difficult to do it well or to get the colors to match exactly.”

10 Engagement Photo Outfit Ideas to Inspire Your Own

We asked Walburn to weigh in on the outfits of ten couples who have perfected outfit coordination, from formalwear to matching fuchsia. Below, he explains why each look works, and how you can copy and tweak it to make it your own.