What should we wear for winter engagement photos?

If you are taking your winter engagement photos outside, you should definitely dress for the weather . Think sweaters and nice coats paired with boots, hats, and fashionable gloves. Most importantly, wear a cold-weather outfit that you feel most confident in!

When should we take engagement photos?

If you are planning on using your engagement photos for your save-the-dates, wedding website, or wedding invitations, you should plan to take them about 10 months or more before the wedding.

How to Get the Best Winter Engagement Photos

Couple kissing in the snow — Jordan Voth

There’s nothing more magical than a photo shoot in the snow, so why not embrace the winter wonderland when planning your engagement photos?

Festive, seasonal, and even holiday-inspired, a wintery engagement session is the perfect option for couples seeking an added touch of enchantment to their engagement photos. Plus, the romance of holding each other close while fresh snow falls around you will make you that much more excited to plan your big day together and finally say “I do.”

But planning a winter engagement shoot doesn’t come without its challenges. After all, snow generally means it’s chilly outside, and you’ll want to make sure you have your session planned out so you’re not out in the cold too long. For the best tips and tricks, we consulted some of the wedding industry’s top photographers, offering their advice on bracing the cold, layering up, and scouting out your city’s best holiday decor.

Read on for expert tips on how to get flawless winter engagement photos, while embracing the most wonderful time of the year.

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Hold Each Other Close

Another awesome advantage of cold-weather photo shoots? Photographer Jenny Fu of Jenny Fu Studio says, "One of the best things about having a winter engagement session besides the beautiful changing color of the leaves or winter white snow is that the couple is freezing and have to hold each other tightly to keep warm." The end result is super cozy photos where your "love and emotion for each other" shines bright.

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Do Your Favorite Activity Together

As a competitive figure skater and as a collegiate hockey player, it was only fitting that this couple's engagement shoot happened on ice! If you plan to tackle the outdoors, doing your favorite winter sport with your partner, photographer Liz Banfield always recommends having a plan for staying warm. "Be sure to have a plan that allows you to get inside to warm up at a moment’s notice — even if that’s just a nearby car or your BFF waiting off-camera with a big blanket," says Banfield. "Relatedly, hand-warmers are an inexpensive way to get more time outside."

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Pose Inside

Couple sitting in living room — Edward Winter / READYLUCK

Frankly, the best way to beat the cold is to pose inside! This couple chose their New York City apartment to start the session before venturing outside to a few nearby locations. "I love photographing clients in their homes because it becomes more of a portrait of this time in their lives — when and how their relationship began, rather than just a wedding story," explains Edward Winter of READYLUCK. Another secret for killer photos? "Don’t look at the camera," he says.

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Play in the Snow

Couple playing in snow — James x Schulze

"We gave them no instructions here. This is just the two of them truly being themselves and that is what we are always after — capturing them exactly as they are," says James and Otto of James x Schulze. "These two had so much vibe between them it was marvelous. Throughout the shoot they would just start playing...you could feel how much they just truly enjoy one another." So, if you consider yourself a playful couple, don't be afraid to let loose with your love (and maybe even throw a snowball or two).

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Choose a Sentimental Spot

Couple walking in snow — Ashley Sawtelle

If you have a sentimental location with picturesque views, use it! This couple chose to hold their engagement photo session on the grounds of their family ranch in Colorado. "It was a perfect, sunny day after it had snowed, offering blue skies, outdoor time, and beautiful views," shares photographer Ashley Sawtelle. "Also having an indoor location with great natural light to warm up in will provide variety (and warmth!) in your session."

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Showcase Fallen Snow

Photographer KT Merry traveled to Chicago with one of her couples in January hoping for snow. “When we arrived, the ground was covered in dirty slush and was hardly beautiful,” says Merry. “But in the afternoon, our wish was granted, and it began to snow.” With a wintry mix, temperatures can drop quickly but don’t let that deter you from embracing the elements for your photos.

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Dress the Part

“Nothing reflects the light better than a pristine blanket of snow,” says Ashley Sawtelle, owner of Ashley Sawtelle, who emphasizes the importance of a warm winter wardrobe. “Don’t forget to dress the part, snuggle in, and move around to stay warm.”

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Utilize Your Location

Couple posing in a courtyard — Kat Braman

“When the weather turns cold, cozy up in your favorite sweater or jacket and take photos close to home,” suggests Kat Braman. “From snuggling up on the couch with your sweetheart to strolling under holiday lights, winter is the perfect time to document your love where you spend the most time together,” Braman says. For this couple, some of New York City’s favored spots served as the perfect backdrop for their photos.

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Embrace Holiday Decor

Couple posing under large wreath — Sara Wight Photography

One of the most valuable aspects of shooting winter engagement photos is being able to indulge in your city’s holiday decor. “Why not utilize the festive pieces around your environment and incorporate them into your session’s backdrop,” says Sara Wight, owner of Sara Wight Photography. For this wintery couple, a giant decorative wreath was the perfect focal point for their engagement photos.

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Take Advantage of Crowd-Free Locations

Couple walking up steps — Melani Lust Photography

Melani Lust, owner of Melani Lust Photography, points out that one of the most significant benefits to winter engagement photos is the lack of crowds. “Some of the best spots are empty, so this gives us a lot of wonderful options for scenery,” says Lust. “We can direct our couples with more movement because the odds are there won't be people in the background to avoid.”

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Add a Pop of Color

Couple posing in the snow with umbrella — Roey Yohai Studios

For this couple, a bright red umbrella served as an unexpected pop of color, perfect for shielding fallen snow as well as complementing the all-white backdrop. “Sometimes, props or unplanned moments can result in the most stunning final photos,” says Roey Yohai, owner of Roey Yohai Studios. Develop a color scheme for your attire prior to your session to create a gorgeously coordinated look.

FAQ

What should we wear for winter engagement photos?

If you are taking your winter engagement photos outside, you should definitely dress for the weather. Think sweaters and nice coats paired with boots, hats, and fashionable gloves. Most importantly, wear a cold-weather outfit that you feel most confident in!
When should we take engagement photos?

If you are planning on using your engagement photos for your save-the-dates, wedding website, or wedding invitations, you should plan to take them about 10 months or more before the wedding.