If you’re thinking about a beach engagement photoshoot but aren’t sure what to wear, you’re in the right place.
As an engagement photographer, I’ve done many beach shoots. In the beginning, a few times, my clients brought outfits that weren’t quite right, so we had to do some last-minute problem-solving.
While everything turned out great in the end, I started sharing some tips with clients that have since made a huge difference in their experience. I thought I’d share those tips on what to wear so you can skip the stress and just enjoy the experience.
Ready to dive in? Let’s go.
Why do a beach engagement photoshoot?
If you’re not 100% sold on the idea of a beach setting for your engagement photoshoot, here are a few reasons why people love it.
It is versatile. First off, you’ll feel more relaxed thanks to the calming beach vibes, and that happy, relaxed look is amazing for photos. Whether you want a cozy vibe for your photos or a more elevated look, the beach naturally helps bring a calming vibe to your session.
Plus, you’ll get that gorgeous sunkissed glow, which is a bonus for any pic. And let’s not forget, the ocean reflects light beautifully, adding a romantic touch to your photos.
But the main reason should be because you both love the beach. If you’re more into mountains and can’t stand sand sticking to your skin, maybe a beach photoshoot isn’t the best fit for you.
What do you wear to a beach engagement photo? My 8 pro tips
Okay, so you’re sold on the beach. I recommend doing your beach engagement session during sunrise or sunset to get the best light, get those vibrant beach colors as a backdrop, cooler temperatures, and to avoid a crowd.
I pair the tips below with a sunrise/sunset session to truly make the best of your photoshoot.
Now, let’s get to making the most out of your photoshoot.
1. Set the vibe for your session (and the fabrics that go with it)
Nothing says beach like comfy, breezy fabrics that flow with the wind. Choose materials that let your skin breathe and protect you from the sun. Top choices are linen, pure cotton (make sure it’s not mixed with polyester), or even hemp.
In these fabrics, you’ll feel fresh and cool, and you’ll be able to relax without sweating too much. Plus, they perfectly complement the beach vibe.
If you’re looking for a cozy walk on the beach look, this may be the chance to bring out the jeans and tshirts (or sweaters depending on where you are!).
2. Be intentional with colors
For beach photos, I recommend natural bright tones that highlight the beach’s beauty and harmonize with the setting.
Think colors like white, creamy, sandy, beige tones, pastels, or light blues. However, I always advise against khaki’s as they tend to wash everyone out, and mix in with the sand.
These tones fit perfectly with the beach scenery and reflect natural light beautifully. If you can’t decide, wearing white is always a great choice, no matter your skin or hair color. It highlights the blue of the ocean and lets the natural backdrop stand out.
And if you want colors that scream summer, fun, and sunshine, try brighter colors like yellows, teals, or tangerines.
Important tip: While these fun, summery colors are great, avoid neon colors and patterns. They can be too distracting and overpower the rest of your outfit, or worse, reflect off your skin…
3. Match the colors with the vibe
So, you know what colors usually look best and how to set a vibe for your photoshoot. Now, let’s combine it all smoothly together!
This is the main advice I always give to my clients: Figure out what vibe you want from your photos, and from there, we can figure out how to make their outfits work for them.
Romantic beach vibe: If you are looking for a session that focuses more on the grandeur of your engagement, reds and pinks can give you that range of being whimsy but also look stunning.
Cinematic vibe: Here, bold colors work great. Greens, blues, and even black flowy dresses give that striking and dramatic look.
Beach walk vibe: For this vibe, I recommend opting for more neutral colored sweaters and t-shirts. What you wear will create the look. In this case, something like this will help bring that comfy look in front of the camera.
Also, if you’re wearing jeans for this one… Ask your photographer about what wash of jeans would look best against the backdrop. You don’t want your jeans blending into the water!
4. Avoid bold patterns
Okay, now onto the absolute no-gos: bold patterns and shirts with big logos. If you want to wear a pattern, that’s fine, but keep it minimal and pair it with something neutral and muted to avoid too much chaos and distraction (like here – the partner wears muted colors.).
If you are wearing a bold color, then it is probably best to leave out any patterns.
We want to highlight the beautiful two of you and the stunning scenery, not the boldness of the outfit. The outfit should serve to compliment your love, not overtake the scene.
5. Choose comfy shoes
I know it’s an engagement photoshoot, and you want to look your best but keep the high heels in the car for the beach section of your session..
Walking in heels on the sand is tricky and doesn’t fit the beach vibe. Instead, bring some cute sandals with straps, or any easy slip on shoes so that you can go barefoot and enjoy the sand between your toes.
In this case, barefoot is the best choice as it goes with any style you choose—whether it’s elegant or casual— and trust me, your shoes will come off anyways.
Plus, being barefoot creates that young, free, and in-love vibe, which is exactly what we’re going for with a beach engagement photoshoot.
6. Pick something that compliments your partner’s outfit
You’ve probably come across advice online about matching outfits with your partner, but honestly, that feels a bit outdated. You don’t need to wear the same color to look good together!
Instead, think about choosing outfits that complement each other. If one of you wears something with a gentle, minimal pattern, the other could stick to solid colors. Or, if one goes for neutrals, the other can add a pop of playful, summery hues.
One of the best combinations is pairing a flowy maxi dress with the clean lines of a suit—it’s such a classy yet relaxed vibe, perfect if you’re going for something a bit more formal.
Some people opt for something casual that is still chic. Think linen pants paired with a dress shirt or dark chinos with a white polo.
7. Bring extra outfits
When you’re at the beach, the weather can be unpredictable, so it’s a good idea to bring a few extra outfits. If the wind picks up and your outfit isn’t cooperating, having other options can save the day. Plus, it helps you feel more relaxed and confident.
With my clients, we often do a mix of casual and formal styles for photos.
Formal style
For a formal look, a navy blue blazer paired with light & soft neutral pants is a great choice if you’re thinking of wearing a suit. And I absolutely love maxi dresses—they’re perfect for the beach.
They’re flowy and feminine, capturing that free-spirited beach vibe while still being formal yet not too overdressed.
Casual style
For a casual outfit, stick with something that feels authentically you. Choose something comfortable that makes you feel beautiful.
When I do engagement photoshoots, I always encourage couples to walk around, dance, and just be themselves. So, pick an outfit that lets you move freely and enjoy the moment.
Cover those tan lines & protect yourself from the sun
If you’re planning to hang out at the beach before your photoshoot, make sure to lather up with sunscreen. No one wants sunburnt engagement photos!
And if you happen to get any visible tan lines, try to cover them up with your outfit. They can be a bit distracting and take away from the overall look.
Mistakes to avoid
Here are a few things that might work in other settings but not so much for a beach photoshoot:
Keep your jewelry minimal
For a beach setting, it’s best to keep your look natural and minimal. This fits the effortless, free-spirited vibe of the beach. Plus, you don’t want to risk losing any expensive jewelry in the sand!
Don’t overdo it with makeup
Remember, the sand, heat, and humidity can mess with your makeup. So, keep it light and natural to avoid any mishaps. Even better, keep a makeup emergency kit to quickly refresh your lipstick or mascara as needed.
Final thoughts on beach engagement session outfit ideas
So, I hope these tips gave you some clear ideas on what to wear for your photoshoot to get the most beautiful, dreamy photos. Just aim for an elevated natural look, and you’ll be fine.
If you don’t have any clothes like these, you can easily rent some specifically for the photoshoot.
If we work together, I’ll be happy to guide you through this entire process and even suggest a few rental places to get the most amazing outfits for your beach engagement photoshoot.
I absolutely love capturing love stories and helping my clients feel free, comfortable, and truly themselves. I’d be honored to be there for you, too. If you’re interested, reach out to me here and I’ll be in touch.
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