So you’ve booked your engagement photo shoot and you think you’re all set but how exactly should you spend the day of your shoot to make sure that you get the absolute best out of it and make it a really special day to remember, let's talk about it! 

I’m Nazlee, and I am the Director of Offley Place an award-winning wedding venue where we’ve had the pleasure of hosting countless beautiful weddings. Having recently tied the knot myself, I’m excited to share insider secrets and top tips from both sides of the aisle. If you’re passionate about crafting a curated wedding experience, then be sure to sign up to my instagram where I’m posting all my tips for making your wedding day the best it can be. 

An engagement photoshoot is one of the early major steps that you’ll be taking on your wedding planning journey, it’s a really different and fun experience for the two of you so as well as having gorgeous photos, I think it’s so important that you really take in the whole day. Today we’ll go through my top 8 tips for how to spend your day of your engagement shoot to make the most out of the whole experience.

For you to do that, my first tip for you is to…

1. Get Ready Nearby

I’d strongly recommend finding somewhere near to your engagement shoot location to get ready. If you’ve chosen a location close to home, then this won’t be an issue for you, but if your location is a little bit further afield, then this is something you’re going to need to think about.

If you know someone who lives close to the location, then make sure you reach out in advance and ask if you can borrow their space for an hour or two. Alternatively you could do what we chose to do for my engagement shoot, and book a local hotel. 

Some hotels will let you book the room just for the day, but we opted to stay overnight as well, which actually turned out to be a really lovely moment of connection with each other to take in the small moments together before we started the wedding planning journey.

Trust me, there will be a lot to do and it’s all going to go so quickly, so take this time while you can.

Getting ready nearby is going to make everything a lot less stressful for you before your shoot. Travel can affect your hair and makeup, and add unwelcome creases to your outfit.  We want you to be looking and feeling as fresh as possible, and starting off your day right is vital for that.

2. Think About Hair and Makeup in Advance

If you’re doing your hair and makeup yourself, then this is definitely something worth considering beforehand, and even practicing so that when it comes to getting ready, you know exactly what you’re doing.

I’d recommend trialing it with your outfit too, so you can see how everything comes together and make sure you feel totally comfortable.

When it comes to hair and makeup on the day, leave yourself more than enough time for it. Feeling nervous or stressed out is totally natural, but can make things take a little bit longer than usual, and you might also need to re-do things (this usually happens for me in this kind of situation). The last thing you want is to be doing it all in a rush. 

Take your time, and enjoy the moment. This is part of the experience too, and something to be cherished. So put some of your favourite music on in the background, make yourself a nice drink and take this as a calming and therapeutic time to set the mood for the day.

If you’re considering professional hair and makeup then be sure to schedule any appointments well in advance, and choose places close to your shoot location so you can go straight there. The perfect scenario is if your stylists can come to you, which most will offer. 

Don’t feel pressure - I personally opted to do my own hair and makeup for our engagement shoot, and I am definitely not a pro by any means, but I loved how it turned out. 

The aim is to make yourself feel confident, and like the best version of yourself in these photos, so whatever is going to get you to that point is great.

3 Steam or Iron Your Clothes 

This is firmly on your “Do Not Forget” list - because it’s so easy to forget!

Having crisp, crease-free clothes will make all the difference to your photos. Check that there is an iron at the place you’re getting ready, or even bring a hand-held steamer with you. These are a great investment, in my opinion, and you’ll get a lot of use out of it during the whole wedding planning process. I found an amazing one that I was even able to use on my delicate silk wedding dress!

My advice is to hang your clothes up and steam them as early on in the day as possible, so they have some time to hang crease-free, as if  they’re still warm when you put them on they will quickly become creased again.

 

4. Pack an Emergency Kit

We can never predict exactly what’s going to happen, which is why I always suggest packing a mini emergency kit to bring with you to any shoot. Think of it like an insurance policy. 

You may not need everything you bring - let’s be honest, we’re hoping you don’t have to use it at all! But like most things in life, if you don’t have it with you, then you’ll probably end up needing it.

Get yourself a small bag and throw in the essentials. Here’s a quick guide to what you should include: 

• Plasters
• Painkillers 
• Allergy medication
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Hair pins 
• Clear nail polish 
• Blotting paper
• Fashion tape
• Safety pins 
• A Mini Sewing Kit 
• Earring Backs
• Tissues
• Anti-bacterial gel 
• Stain remover pens or wipes

 

This is just a quick list, but if you want to be fully prepared, I’ve got a free comprehensive Emergency Kit Checklist you can download here to stay organised.

Once you’ve got a solid emergency kit together, you’ll have it readily prepared for all the other wedding related events, including your big day itself. It’s something you can prepare very early on that will always come in useful.

5. Organise your Props

Props might not be something you’ve thought about, but they can be a brilliant way to add something a little bit sentimental or personal to your images. Adding them into the shoot will take a little bit more planning from your side, so make sure you plan ahead, and speak to your photographer in advance to let them know too.

It’s best if you’re able to send your photographer some inspiration pictures of how you'd like to use or style the props too, so you’re all on the same page about what you’re hoping for.

When it comes to shoot day, double check that you’ve got all of your props with you, and pack them into a bag in an organised way. You’ll want to get them out and pack them back in as quick as possible, so you don’t have to pause mid-shoot to rummage around for things.

Whatever you’re able to do to keep the day flowing naturally is great, so a little bit of pre-planning will do wonders. 

6. Plan to Arrive Early

If you’re anything like me, admittedly this one won’t come naturally! - but on this occasion try your very best to get to your shoot on time, and I promise it will be worth it.

Your engagement photoshoot might be one of the first times that you’re having professional photos taken, and probably your first time as a couple, so it’s completely natural to feel a little bit nervous. Arriving early will give you time to settle in and get comfortable before the shoot begins. 

The last thing you want is to be stuck in traffic, stressed or running around trying to make it there on time. It will make the start of your shoot feel so much more enjoyable if you can avoid in good time, and you can get properly acquainted with your photographer, have a little chat and start the session with ease - it’ll make all the difference.

7. Relax and Have Fun

The most important part of your engagement shoot is to try to relax and have fun. This is what will create the best photos, and give you the best overall experience. Don’t worry too much about the posing, or getting the perfect shot, just focus on enjoying the experience with your partner and really taking everything in.

Trust your photographer to capture beautiful and meaningful photos that reflect your love for each other and your personalities. They’re going to do a great job, I promise.

The most memorable and beautiful photos are going to be the ones where you’re having the most fun and enjoying the process. Don’t be afraid to be silly, to laugh and really celebrate your love - ultimately this is what you’re here for.

If you’re nervous, just try your best to get out of your head, be flexible and open to trying out different poses that your photographer suggests. Give yourself a shake, loosen up and let yourself have fun. Your photographer will be able to guide you to get those gorgeous, romantic photos.

Expert  tip: Don’t stress too much about small imperfections or unexpected weather conditions - or anything else out of your control. These are usually the things that end up adding charm and character to your photos, I promise.

 

8. Plan Something Special For Afterwards 

As I mentioned before, this is a lovely opportunity to spend some quality time together. So use it as the excuse to book a table at that nice cafe for lunch or a restaurant that you’ve wanted to visit for a while for dinner.

This is also good advice for anyone who may be feeling a little nervous as it’ll give you something really lovely to focus on afterwards - not to mention making the most out of you having gotten dressed up and looking your best.

Having something to look forward to after the engagement shoot is such a special way to make the most of the experience and really mark it as a milestone in your wedding planning journey. Treat yourselves to a glass of champagne to celebrate, and enjoy a moment to yourselves.

I’m so excited for you to have an amazing engagement shoot, and if you take this advice into account, I’m absolutely sure you will.

Whatever you can do to make sure you feel your best self, and feel as relaxed as you can be throughout the day will shine through in the photos.