What to wear (without overthinking it)
The main thing is to wear something that feels like you.
If you’re uncomfortable, constantly adjusting things, or wearing something you’d never normally choose, it usually shows.
You do not need to dress like someone else for your photos to look good.
In fact, the more comfortable you are, the more natural everything feels.
And that’s always what makes the biggest difference.
Don’t match. Coordinate
Gone are the days of identical white shirts and jeans.
The best outfits are the ones that feel connected without looking copy-and-pasted.
Think:
- tones that work together
- similar levels of formality
- colours that complement each other rather than match exactly
Neutral or earthy tones photograph beautifully, and soft textures always add a bit more depth.
That said, this isn’t a strict formula.
If bold colours feel more like you, lean into that.
The aim is always:
“Does this feel like us?”
Not:
“Would this get pinned to a wedding Pinterest board?”
Texture is your best friend
Chunky knits, linen, wool, denim, layered fabrics, scarves, coats, boots…
All of those things add depth and movement to photos and stop everything feeling too flat.
Especially in autumn and winter.
Texture almost always photographs better than plain fabric.
Patterns? Fine. Chaos? Less fine.
Patterns can work really well in moderation.
But giant logos, tiny stripes, small checks, or really busy prints can pull attention away from the actual point of the photo.
Which is you.
A good rule:
- one subtle pattern = great
- dressing like a sofa from the 1970s = potentially risky
Shoes matter more than people think
Most pre-wedding shoots involve at least a bit of walking.
So unless suffering for fashion is part of your personality, sensible shoes are usually a good idea 😄
You can always bring alternatives if you want a slightly different look for part of the shoot.
And honestly, slightly muddy boots on a countryside shoot usually look more natural than spotless white trainers you’re terrified of creasing.
Lean into the season
One of the nicest things about pre-wedding shoots is that they don’t have to look like your wedding day.
Winter shoots feel completely different to summer ones, and that’s a good thing.
Big coats in winter, bare feet at the beach in summer, slightly windswept hair in autumn…
That’s the good stuff.
Trying to fight the season usually feels more forced than just embracing it.
The most important thing
You do not need to know how to pose.
You do not need to “be good in front of the camera”.
And you definitely do not need to spend the whole shoot worrying whether you look awkward.
Pretty much everybody feels a bit weird for the first five minutes.
Then you settle in, stop thinking about it, and realise it’s actually just a nice evening hanging out together while I occasionally point a camera at you.
That’s normally the point where the best photos start happening.
Final thought
If you’re ever unsure about outfits, locations, weather, timings, or whether something will work…
Just ask.
I’m always happy to help.
And I promise I care far more about you feeling relaxed than whether your jumper is the correct tone of beige.