Prewedding shoot – Dresses, Styling and Makeup ideas

If you’re at your wit’s end planning for prewedding shoot dresses and styling, we’re here to help! From a photographer’s point of view, we help assist you in understanding which colors, styles and patterns work, while which really don’t.

Deciding what to wear for your prewedding shoot can be a daunting choice. Once you’ve hiring your dream photographer and selected the most stunning location, it all clinches down to how you plan your look. You would want your outfit to not only make you look good but feel good too. Fortunately, it’s simpler than it may seem and before you know it, you’d be all set to face the cameras with your most vibrant smile.

We understand that most of us are not professional models who know just what to do as soon as the camera fires.

But the idea for a prewedding shoot is not to make you look a certain way that doesn’t come naturally to you. A prewedding shoot should be designed to make you feel comfortable. So comfortable, infact, that you forget there’s a camera at all. The focus should always be on your chemistry with your partner and capturing those special moments that come naturally between you two.

This is what we tell our clients. As much as you’d want to wear something stunning and look your best, what really shines through those pictures is the love you share. But there are a few tips we always recommend to ensure that nothing else (not even your clothes!) overshadow what truly matters.

What to wear for your prewedding shoot

Coordinate and Compliment

Select and coordinate the outfits in terms of colors and balance.Discuss with each other about what you’re wearing. We always recommend solid colors that compliment your skin-tone and sense of style. Delicate patterns look good too, but you have to be mindful of not picking bold colors or large patterns.

Put comfort before style

As much as you’re tempted to pick out something that oozes style, remember that a slit cut too high or a strap tad to lose will do more harm than good. We always encourage you to pick comfort before all else. Remember that a prewedding shoot can span hours and if your outfit is tight or flimsy, the discomfort will reflect on your expression. More importantly, fixing your outfit will take you away from the moment you’re in with your partner. Choose clothes that are not only stunning but also easy to carry and walk around in. Be prepared for some creative posing – maybe jumping, lying down or spinning around could be involved! Being relaxed and confident will definitely show in your shots, make sure you own that confidence.

Minimize as you accessorize

An engagement ring is the perfect accessory to a prewedding shoot. It’s a great way to announce your impending union in style and can be the focus of some pictures. We also recommend carrying your sunglasses if the sky suddenly seems unfavorable with harsh sunlight. If you want to wear jewelry, we recommend small pieces that don’t overshadow your natural glow. If something is crucial to the story of your love, we would highly encourage you to include it in your ensemble. Perhaps a watch you gave your partner or a shoes that you wore on your first date together. It could even be a perfume that means something to you two – not everything is for the photographs, some things are purely for you two to reminisce on – so make the best out of this time!

Picking footwear for your prewedding shoot

What you pick for your footwear can really go a long way in ensuring you have a fun day. If you have a favorite pair of heels, by all means, wear them. But remember to carry your comfortable sandals or sneakers for when you may want a change. If the prewedding shoot is scheduled for the outdoors, and especially where there is grass, choose shoes that won’t sink into the earth. We would also advice against picking new shoes for the shoot, since they can act up through a long session and cause shoe bites. Wear what you love since you’re going to be the one you love – but make sure they are shoes that love you back!

Props to the rescue

If you’re a couple who likes to take it up a notch, feel free to bring your own self to your prewedding shoot. Simple props like a bright umbrella, a chalkboard, balloons or books can add another dimension to your photographs. It’s even better if you get something that has a history or a strong resonance with your love story. During your prewedding shoot consultation you can discuss more ideas with your photographers. Do you want to wear matching graphic t-shirts? Or perhaps you want to skate through the park? Can you spell your names on scrabble tiles? Feel free to come up with ideas that define you and let the props make for pictures that capsulate your chemistry the best

A prewedding shoot is your very own fairytale

We always encourage our couples to think of prewedding shoots as your last date before your wedding.

Think of what that would be like. What kind of experience would you like to have that remains memorable to you, not only for the photographs but also for timeless memories. If that involves a fairytale setting and you want to dress as your version of royalty, we recommend you do just that. Do what makes you – you. And above all, do what makes you happy. If you want to wear a sari or a glamorous gown, make sure you discuss your vision beforehand.

The venue, time of the day and the concept would strongly tie with what you want to wear, and not just the other way around. If wearing a certain outfit is key to your realization of this fantasy, then that’s the starting point you must work with. If your partner wants to wear a smart casual suit or dress up in traditional attire, make sure you consult him on what you can pair it up with.

Stick to casual cool

A casual look never goes out of fashion. When your attire is simple, the focus is you. Since you will be dressed to your very best at the wedding and have plenty of portraits to remember that glamorous day – your prewedding shoot can stay more true to you. Imagine what you’d wear if you’re out for a casual date with your significant other. As much as it is a special occasion, considering it as a casual event makes it a stress free experience for you as well. Perhaps you’d like to recreate the experience of what you wore when you first met and go back in time to repeat the magic all over again.

Going location specific

If the location is the focus for your prewedding shoot, you may want to align your choice of dress that compliments your location. For historical sites, ethnic wear looks stunning – while for a café, a cute dress is the charm. Also think about the weather and how it may change during the course of the shoot. We also recommend carrying a change of clothes (or two!) in case you feel like a fresh outfit, or if you accidentally spoil the one you’ve picked.

Disclose the news with T-shirts

A prewedding shoot these days, is a part of an on-going trend in the field of wedding photography. Pursue the trends, by selecting to wear message printed shirts. Messages like “Husband to be and Bride-to-be”, “His-Hers”, “She said YES!” and so on should unveil the news as such.These cute t-shirts add the charm and magnetism to the pictures.

Consult and plan ahead for a prewedding shoot

Once you have preliminary options in place, feel free to discuss with your photographer what they would recommend you choose. As much as you might love an outfit, the photographer can assist you in understanding what would look good in photographs and make for better pictures. Try to narrow down to 2-3 choices instead of having too many outfits at hand. Try them all out before the shoot so you’re comfortable with how they look on you. We also encourage you take a picture or two (selfies work!) and see how it looks in photographs. It always helps to be able to envision an outfit before you wear it for the shoot – to ensure you’re dressed in a way that you feel your most confident.

Tips on makeup for your prewedding shoot

It’s true as they say – “A smile is the best make-up a girl could wear”.A smile reflects serenity in any photograph. It is captured perfectly when it emerges organically. The happier you feel on the inside, the more cheerful you’ll appear on the outside.

When arriving to your shoot, be in your best state of mind as no photoshop can create that bright smile for you.

Ask yourself what time of the day do you feel your best at. If you’re not an early morning person, don’t opt for a sunrise shoot and end up feeling groggy. If having meals on time is important for you, plan a shoot post a meal or ensure the shoot time doesn’t overlap with your meal time. It’s important you focus on when you’re at your best so your photographs are able to capture you at your best. Feel great from inside and you will ultimately enjoy every bit of the shoot.

Be natural

If you’re the kind of person who is minimalist in their makeup on a regular basis, going suddenly heavy on cosmetics will not only make you feel alien to yourself, but also impact the way you see yourself in photographs. It’s important to follow your instincts on what comes to you naturally. Try not to experiment with a new lip color or style of lining your eyes. A look that is boldly different can work in some cases, but in others it’s risking the chance of not liking your own self  in the eventual pictures. We don’t recommend hiring a makeup artist for your prewedding shoot unless you’re sure that they will deliver on the kind of look that you truly desire. If you are, however, keen on having a makeup artist onboard, please ensure they stay through the length of the shoot to ensure any touching up that you may need.

Pick your cosmetics carefully

Depending on the weather, you have to be wise with picking your products. If it is hot and humid or there is a chance of rain, opt for waterproof solutions for your makeup. Try to keep the products to the minimum so they may fit in your bag easily for you to touch up during the course of the day as needed. Prewedding shoots can tend to spend a few hours, so you would like to stay consistent on your makeup. We also recommend carrying your pocket mirror along so you can check on your look when needed.

Pick one defining color

If you’ve picked a casual day shoot, nude and subdued makeup is a great choice. But we also encourage you to feel free with using one defining color. That color can be a bright lipstick, a hue of your blush or an interesting shade over your eyes. But stick to one of those and definitely not all. Let one feature take the highlight and the others complement it.

You know your skin the best

The photographer’s aim is to focus on your flattering angles but you’d make everyone’s job much easier if there are specific flaws you want to mask. If these are easily achievable with makeup, we encourage you to work towards them. Whether it’s using a concealer to brighten the undersides of your eyes or a coverup of a scar, try and either work towards it in advance or be more open with the photographer about the areas you are not comfortable with. An open communication will allow them to be able to take pictures keeping in mind your reservations and also save them endless hours retouching skin.

Hair that can be easily managed

We always encourage you try a look that you’ve experimented with before and like. Feel free to stop by at the salon before your shoot and get your favorite hairdresser to do his magic. Pick something that you know you can fix easily yourself, incase it falls out of place during the hours of shooting. If there are any products you need to carry for your hair, be well equipped with them.

The best option, however is to allow your hair to be its natural best, or style it the way you usually do so you don’t have to worry about anything being imperfect. Avoid using bold accessories in your hair as they tend to overshadow the rest of your look.

Keep things as uncomplicated as you can so you can immerse yourself in the fun of the shoot, and not worry about the little things.

A Prewedding shoot is your way of sharing an untold love story. It offers you a to showcase the candidness of your affections. Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale. Allow yourself to experience it to the fullest. Prepare a few days in advance so all you have to do is show up. We assure you that your pictures will turn out so beautiful that you will cherish them a little longer than forever.