I shared my first post from the Engagement Session Guides a few weeks ago. This week I wanted to share a second addition to the series. This time it’s all about one of my favorite pieces of making your engagement session feel unique and a little extra special – styling and planning your engagement session.

Styling and Planning Engagement Sessions

Your engagement session is likely the first time you and your fiancé experience being in front of the camera together. It’s a beautiful time to practice for the real thing, get to know your photographer, and create portraits that can be used throughout your wedding planning experience. Many couples use these images for save-the-date cards and printed photos on their wedding day.

This session is the perfect opportunity to share a bit more of your story through imagery, and they’re a great way to ensure your story is told in a unique way.

Hire A Stylist

My first favorite way to elevate your session when planning is to hire a stylist. When you think of a stylist, you might think first of your clothing. Not having to worry about what you’ll wear on the day of your session is such a relief, but you’ll also be able to go into your session with the confidence that everything is planned ahead of time. A stylist can also help us choose elements that tell a story and bring everything together, like location and season.

Bring on the Florals

My second favorite way to make an engagement session stand out is to bring on a florist. Adding flowers to your engagement session can elevate your images in a whole new way and can make the experience even more fun!

Adding flowers brings texture, color, and an extra layer of life to your images. They’re also an excellent method of storytelling. By choosing flowers from the season, you can allude to the day of your wedding in a way only flowers can. They’re fragrant, colorful, and an added treat to take home after your session. What’s not to love?

Be sure to let me know if you need help with recommendations. Over the last ten years, I’ve crafted a list of some of my very favorite stylists and florists who would love to help bring your vision to life!

This session was a beautiful example of what it can look like to add these elements to your session. Be sure to keep an eye out for the next guide, where we will discuss choosing a location!

The Creative Team

Photography: @hopehelmuthweddings  | Floral Design: @heritagegatherings  | Rentals: @vintagebettyrentals  | Food Styling: @boards_by_brea | Paper Goods: @thevintageinkwell

Hope Helmuth is a Luxury, Destination wedding photographer based in Bucks County, PA & NYC. Hope specializes in timeless, candid, and romantic wedding imagery serving modern couples across the east coast. For more information about the experience or to book your destination wedding, you can find more information here.