How to Plan Your Engagement Photos for the Perfect Save The Date

How to Style Your Engagement Session for the Perfect Save The Date – Minted Weddings 61

As a wedding photographer myself, I have a bit of expertise on how to capture that perfect, electric Save The Date photo worthy of framing (or at least worth a long life on your friends & family members’ refrigerators!)

Creating stunning Save The Dates has never been so easy thanks to sites like Minted. Offering unique designs sourced from a community of independent artists, Minted always has fresh designs for an always changing wedding world. Pick from luxurious papers, custom monogram designs, hand illustrations – the customizations are seemingly endless and right at your fingertips, online!

But first, you need the perfect photo to feature. With these eight expert wedding photographer tips (from yours truly) you’ll master the flawless engagement session. Next, you’ll be creating your own perfect Minted Save The Date. We think this Aisle Society styled shoot is basically the “dream sesh” and guess what, it’s totally achievable by you, your love and your own engagement photographer by following these steps.

1. Book Your Dream Photographer

Is your dream wedding photographer out-of-reach (or already booked) for your big day? Guess what – they may be available, and a bit more in-budget for your engagement session! What a fabulous way to snag some timeless portraits of you and your love in this special moment in your lives.

Whether you get to keep your dream photographer for your wedding-day coverage or just splurge on a couple session, without a doubt the best way to guarantee dream Save The Date photos is booking the best of the best. Don’t hesitate to contact photographers you think may be too expensive, already booked, or live too far away – engagement sessions are often much easier to book, cheaper in price and most photographers love to travel.

2. Shoot Your Engagement Session at Golden Hour (& Pick Alternate Dates)

We hope by now in the wedding planning phase you’ve learned about “golden hour” but if not here’s the secret: every photo looks better at sunrise and sunset. Whether you’re an early riser (good for you!) or like sunset walks with your honey, your photographer will thank you for choosing such a pretty time of day.

Why does everything look better at these times? Softer light means no harsh shadows (smoother light means less wrinkles!) and the gold-hued rays are just so dreamy in portraits.

Also, be sure to have back-up dates planned for inclement weather, if your engagement session can be easily rescheduled from a gloomy day to sunset rays you’ll be endlessly grateful when you see the results!

3. Choose Neutral Backgrounds

Beachy sand dunes, desert scenes, white-walled lofts and gallery spaces instantly come to mind when I’m planning portrait sessions. Dreamy, creamy, neutral tones not only lend well to all skin tones in photos but they allow you and your love to pop and take center stage in photos. Cluttered & busy backgrounds can be fun but will detract from the most important subject: you two.

Brainstorm places with your photographer that feature plenty of negative space and creamy colors like whites, nudes, peaches and light blues.

4. Don’t Be Afraid of Going Bold with Color

But a neutral backdrop doesn’t mean you have to forgo color completely! Feel free to sport bold tones in your fashion & accessories – after all, you two are the stars.

Vibing on the colored wedding dress trend but can’t quite miss out on the bride-in-white tradition? Your engagement session is a great opportunity to wear those bright & colorful gowns that are taking over the bridal world – like this stunning mustard yellow Leanne Marshall gown.

True story: I wore a vibrant blue Leanne Marshall gown for portraits with my soon-to-be-hubby and our welcome party in Mexico, it was such a fun way to dive into the colored wedding gown trend (and so fun to twirl in!)

5. Laugh, Dance, Get Loosey-Goosey!

When my couples are tense, I always make them fake laugh on camera. It sounds silly, and yes – it looks silly! But the magic happens just as they’re done laughing at themselves for doing something so bizarre – they loosen up.

Laughing, twirling and dancing those on-camera jitters out will not only make you looser and more relaxed but probably provide all the candid photo ops you need for the perfect Save The Date shot.

6. Choose a Location Where You’re Comfortable

This is important: choose a location that you’re comfortable in. That cafe you met in may be super special but are you comfortable photographing in crowds, around strangers? If yes, go for it! If not, perhaps select a time that is calmer, or ask the cafe (or space in question) if you can come in before they open or during after hours.

Selecting a calm space, or just a place you feel “in the zone” will help make you loads more comfortable in front of the camera, giving your photographer plenty of beautiful, natural shots to work with.

7. Choose Your Props Wisely

With all the fabulous styled shoot inspiration on Pinterest, Instagram and blogs abound it can be easy to get caught up in all the fun props and decor – but be judicious! Your Save The Dates can absolutely be anything you want (you do you!) but consider allowing this moment to be about you two, and let the inspiration run wild in your wedding-day decor.

That being said, this is a fabulous opportunity to try out a favorite florist for your wedding bouquet (or flower crown?!) Or perhaps, if you’re like me and are hair accessory obsessed, you can use this moment to accessorize with all the fabulous wedding jewels you’ve been collecting.

Limiting props can show off you and your love together while still adding a little sparkle to your Save The Date photos.

8. Prep with a Spa Day

If you have the time, prepare for your engagement photo session with some zen-like activities and well-deserved pampering.

Find yourself in that calm, happy mindset with: yoga, massage, meditation, exercise, a little pool time or a little vitamin D (with sunscreen!)

Get photo-ready with any of these: facials, massages, mani & pedi, blowout and even professional makeup (hit that free beauty counter makeover!)

How to Style Your Engagement Session for the Perfect Save The Date – Minted Weddings 54

How to Style Your Engagement Session for the Perfect Save The Date – Minted Weddings 70

Photo by Nikki Santerre via Bridal Musings

How to Style Your Engagement Session for the Perfect Save The Date – Minted Weddings 25

View this post on Instagram

Currently crushing on all things coral. See our Stories for our favorite ways to incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year into your wedding. “Our Biggest Adventure” save the date @kateross.design | Photo @photographybylauryn | Florals @flowersflowersevanston | Production/styling @lakeshoreinlove for @aislesociety | Engagement session @glamandgrace for @aislesociety @nikkisanterre • • • • • #engaged #weddingideas #weddinginspiration #weddingdetails #weddingphotography #pursuepretty #theknot #isaidyes #sayido #weddinginvitation #livingcoral #pantonecoloroftheyear #coloroftheyear #coralwedding #winterwedding #outdoorwedding #destinationwedding #design #style #art #diy #wedding #mintedweddings

A post shared by Minted Weddings (@mintedweddings) on Jan 7, 2019 at 6:01pm PST