How to Prepare for Your Engagement Session: 2026 Guide
How to Prepare for Your Engagement Session: 2026 Guide
One of the most anticipated parts of your engagement is your engagement photo session. These sessions help you get comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day, allow you to test your hair and makeup, and give you beautiful photos for save-the-dates and wedding websites.
More importantly, your engagement session is where we practice posing, test lighting, and build the trust that makes your wedding day photography feel natural and effortless. Couples who do engagement sessions consistently feel more relaxed and confident on their wedding day.
Here's how to prepare for an engagement session that delivers the dreamy photos you've always wanted.
1. Choose Your Date, Time, and Location
Timing Your Session
When to schedule: Book your engagement session at least 3-6 months before your wedding to avoid last-minute stress and ensure you have photos ready for save-the-dates.
Best time of day: We shoot engagement sessions during golden hour—typically starting 2 hours before sunset—to capture that beautiful, flattering light that makes everyone look amazing.
Weekday vs. weekend: Some locations are less crowded on weekdays (beaches, popular parks), while others work better on weekends. We'll help you choose based on your preferred location.
Selecting Your Location
Locations that work best:
Places that are meaningful to you (where you met, got engaged, favorite date spot)
Settings that reflect your personality (urban downtown, coastal beach, rustic vineyard)
Spots with good light and varied backdrops
Can't decide on a location? Visit our favorite Orange County engagement session locations guide for inspiration. As long as the light is beautiful, we can make any location look stunning.
Pro tip: Choose a location within 30-45 minutes of your home. You'll be more relaxed knowing you're not rushing across the county, and it's easier to return for outfit changes if needed.
2. Plan Your Outfits (This Matters More Than You Think)
What to Wear
The golden rules:
Choose outfits that feel like you, not costumes
Coordinate colors without matching exactly
Avoid busy patterns, large logos, or overly trendy pieces
Dress slightly more formal than your everyday style
Plan for 1-2 outfit changes if you want variety
Colors that photograph beautifully:
Soft neutrals (cream, beige, tan, soft gray)
Earthy tones (olive, rust, dusty blue, terracotta)
Classic combinations (navy + white, black + tan)
Colors to avoid:
Neon or extremely bright colors
All black (unless styled intentionally)
Pure white (can wash out in bright light)
Coordinating as a couple:
Pull 2-3 colors from one person's outfit into the other's
Vary the level of formality (if one wears a dress, the other should wear slacks, not jeans)
Complement each other without matching
Style Tips That Make a Difference
For her:
Flowy fabrics photograph beautifully (especially in movement)
Maxi dresses and midi skirts create elegant lines
Avoid strapless or spaghetti straps if you're self-conscious about arms
Bring a denim jacket or leather jacket for layering options
For him:
Well-fitted button-down shirts (rolled sleeves look great)
Dress pants or chinos (avoid athletic shorts or cargo pants)
Layer with a vest, blazer, or sweater for dimension
Dark jeans work if they're clean and not distressed
Footwear:
Choose shoes you can walk comfortably in
Avoid brand-new shoes (break them in first)
Bring flats or sandals for walking between locations
Heels are beautiful but bring backup flats
Need detailed style guidance? We send all our couples a comprehensive outfit guide with photo examples, color palettes, and shopping recommendations after you book.
3. Schedule Hair and Makeup
Your engagement session is the perfect opportunity to test your wedding day hair and makeup. You need to do a trial with your artists before the wedding anyway, so coordinate it with your engagement session.
Why This Matters
Benefits of a combined trial + engagement session:
See how your hair and makeup photograph (not just how they look in person)
Test longevity (does your lipstick last? Does your hair hold?)
Make adjustments before the wedding day
Feel confident and polished in your photos
Get comfortable being "done up" on camera
What to Communicate to Your Artists
You're doing engagement photos, so makeup should photograph well
Specify the time and location of your session (different lighting needs different makeup)
Bring inspiration photos of the look you want
Schedule the trial 2-3 hours before your session starts
Don't have hair and makeup artists yet? This is a great way to trial potential wedding vendors. If you love how you look in your engagement photos, you've found your team.
4. Grooming for Him
Men have less to prepare, but these details matter in photos:
Haircuts and Facial Hair
Haircut timing:
Get a haircut 1-2 weeks before the session (not the day of)
This gives it time to settle and look natural
If you prefer a fresh cut look, schedule it 3-5 days before
Facial hair:
Clean shaven? Shave the morning of your session
Prefer stubble? Plan for 2-3 day growth
Bearded? Get a professional trim 2-3 days before
Whatever your preference, be intentional and well-groomed
Other Details
Trim and clean fingernails (you'll be holding hands in photos)
Use eye drops if your eyes tend to look red or tired
Get enough sleep (dark circles show in photos)
Moisturize if you have dry skin
5. Get Your Nails Done
A fresh manicure makes a huge difference for engagement photos, especially for ring shots.
Timing and Color
When to schedule: Get your manicure 1-2 days before your session (not the same day—you don't want smudges)
Color recommendations:
Neutral shades photograph beautifully (soft pink, nude, light gray)
Classic red or burgundy for bolder look
Avoid extremely dark colors or busy nail art (distracts from your ring)
Pro tip: This is your chance to test the nail color you're considering for your wedding day. If you love how it looks in your engagement photos, you've found your wedding shade.
6. Clean Your Ring (Seriously)
Make sure your engagement ring is sparkling for its close-up. Most couples forget this step, but it makes a noticeable difference.
How to Clean Your Ring
At home (quick method):
Soak in warm water with a drop of Dawn dish soap for 10-15 minutes
Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush
Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth
Professional cleaning:
Take it to your jeweler 2-3 days before the session
They'll clean, check prongs, and ensure everything is secure
Usually free or very inexpensive
When to clean: The day before or morning of your session. Don't clean it weeks in advance—it'll lose its sparkle by session day.
7. Pack Your Session Bag
Bring these essentials to your engagement session:
Must-Haves
Second outfit (if doing outfit changes)
Comfortable walking shoes (flats, sandals, or sneakers for moving between locations)
Water bottle (especially for warmer sessions)
Lipstick or lip gloss for touch-ups
Blotting papers or powder for shine control
Deodorant wipes for quick freshening up
Small mirror for checking hair/makeup
Hair ties or bobby pins for securing hair if needed
Cash for parking (if applicable)
Nice-to-Haves
Light jacket or wrap for cooler weather or layering
Blanket or picnic setup if you want styled detail shots
Props (only if they're meaningful—wine, books, your dog, etc.)
Mints or gum for fresh breath during close-up shots
What to Leave Behind
Large purses or bags (engagement sessions involve a lot of movement)
Valuables (leave them in your locked car)
Excessive props (less is more—we focus on you two, not stuff)
8. Plan a Post-Session Celebration
You're already dressed up and looking amazing—make the most of it!
Date Night Ideas
Make a reservation at your favorite restaurant
Try that new spot you've been wanting to check out
Grab drinks at a rooftop bar or wine bar
Keep it simple with takeout and a movie at home
Pro tip: Choose somewhere close to your session location so you're not driving across the county when you're tired. And make the reservation in advance—you'll be glad you did.
9. Rest and Hydrate
No amount of editing can hide exhaustion, dehydration, or stress.
The Week Before Your Session
Do:
Drink plenty of water (at least 64oz daily)
Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night
Moisturize your skin
Avoid excessive alcohol or salty foods (causes puffiness)
Exercise moderately (helps you feel good, but don't overdo it)
Don't:
Stay up late binge-watching shows
Try new skincare products (risk of breakouts or reactions)
Over-caffeinate (causes jitters and affects skin)
Stress about being perfect (we'll guide you through everything)
The day before: Go to bed early, drink lots of water, and trust that you've prepared well.
10. Relax and Trust the Process
What to Expect During Your Session
We'll guide you through everything:
Natural poses that feel comfortable (not stiff or awkward)
How to position your bodies for flattering angles
Where to look and how to interact authentically
Movement prompts that create candid, genuine moments
Your session will feel like:
A fun date with gentle coaching
More walking and talking than "posing"
Laughing, moving, and interacting naturally
Surprisingly quick (most couples say "that's it already?")
If You're Nervous
Remember:
Awkwardness in the first 5 minutes is completely normal
We specialize in making camera-shy couples look natural
Your comfort is our priority—we'll adjust our approach to you
The goal is to capture you two, not create magazine models
By the end of your session, you'll feel more confident, you'll understand how we work, and your wedding day photography will feel like second nature.
What Happens After Your Session
Timeline
Preview photos: 3-5 days after your session (sneak peeks for social media)
Full gallery: 2-3 weeks after your session (all edited photos delivered)
Print and album ordering: Available immediately after gallery delivery
Using Your Photos
Your engagement photos are perfect for:
Save-the-dates and wedding invitations
Wedding website homepage
Guest book or welcome sign at your wedding
Framing for your home
Thank you cards after the wedding
Sharing on social media
Questions? We're Here to Help
Still wondering about something? Here are answers to common questions:
How long is an engagement session?
Most sessions last 60-90 minutes. This gives us enough time for 1-2 outfit changes and multiple locations without feeling rushed.
Can we bring our dog?
Absolutely! Just bring someone to handle your pup between shots, and have a plan for who takes them home if you're going to dinner after.
What if it rains?
We'll reschedule for another day with great weather. Light overcast can actually create beautiful, soft lighting, but heavy rain requires rescheduling.
Can we include other people (kids, family)?
Your engagement session is about you two, but if you have children, we're happy to do some family photos before focusing on couple shots.
What if we're awkward in front of the camera?
That's exactly why engagement sessions exist! We work with camera-shy couples all the time. Check out our guide on how we help camera-shy couples look natural in photos.
Ready to Book Your Engagement Session?
At One Story Weddings, engagement sessions are included in most of our wedding photography packages. They're not just about getting pretty pictures—they're about building the trust and comfort that makes your wedding day photography effortless and authentic.
Learn more:
Questions about preparing for your session? Contact us—we're here to help make this fun, easy, and stress-free.