Top 5 reasons to book an engagement photo shoot

Why not capture the euphoria of your engagement with professional photographs? If you haven’t already considered it, here are some reasons why you should:

1.    Part of the package – take advantage of the opportunity that many photographers will offer you a complimentary or discounted engagement shoot if you book them for your wedding.

2.    Build a rapport with your photographer – This will be your first opportunity to work with your photographer. It gives both parties a chance to bond and get to know each other’s personalities and preferences. Feeling comfortable around your photographer is key to an effortless, laid back shoot. You can also use the shoot as a chance to get accustomed to being in front of the camera and for getting used to certain posed angles and positions.

3.    A way to address your concerns – Many people are “camera shy” and this is why a shoot can help allay some of their camera fears. Brides may be worried about not photographing well, photos taken from certain angles which don’t flatter them or simply concerned about how to pose, in order to camouflage certain physical flaws.

All of these issues can easily be worked out during an engagement shoot. Many couples feel more confident after the photo shoot, having been privy to the photographer’s directions, tips and cues.

4.    An opportunity to improvise and experiment – Most of the times, an engagement shoot is fairly informal (unless you want to go for formal, posed shots). Since the shoot will be more casual, you have free reign to experiment with different types of photos, locations, poses and lighting. In a way, the shoot can be considered as a dress rehearsal for the photo shoot on your wedding day.

5.    Mementos – Your engagement photos can be used on your “save the date” cards, invitations or even thank you cards. You can also incorporate them into the reception décor, wedding favours (think coasters!) or a projected slideshow during your cocktail hour.

Some other styling tips for your engagement shoot are:

Selecting your wardrobe – Always be aware of the background for your shoot. You wouldn’t want to blend in! One example is avoiding wearing green if your shoot will take place in a garden or park. Another colour may pop better, such as white, ivory or even brighter colours such as purple, red or orange.

It is also best to wear clothing you’re most comfortable in for your shoot. If your style is more casual, try not to turn into someone unrecognizable in a cocktail dress and stilettos on your shoot! The best option is to stay true to your style and clothing preferences. Try to avoid clothing that will become see-through in the sunlight or clothing that will show your underwear or perspiration stains, if you’re doing an outdoor shoot.

Having props or a certain theme - Many couples choose to use parasols, balloons, cars, bicycles or beach balls, to inject more personality and interest during their shoot. Couples are now incorporating their pets and favourite memorabilia (books, collector items or heirlooms) even more, as well.

Choose a meaningful location – Engagement shoots are not usually done in studio; most are done off-site or on location. Your choice of location can be as simple as having it at home, if that’s where you’re most comfortable.

However, if you would like to be more adventurous, your shoot is an ideal time to select a location that reflects your interests. For example, if you are a sports fan, you can choose to shoot in a stadium or playing field or if you love to dine out, you can do your shoot al fresco, at your favourite restaurant or café. Many couples choose locations that are off-the-beaten path such as: on a rooftop, beachside, a movie theatre, on a bridge or near to monuments or places of architectural interest.

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What My Dress Taught Me About the Art of Improvisation

A few months ago, on a recent trip, I discovered I had accidentally only packed one dress instead of two. So for dinner at the hotel, on the second night, I was in a bit of a quandary as to what to wear, since I’d worn the one and only dress the night before!

Clearly, capris, shorts and tank tops (that was what was left in my suitcase) wouldn’t be in order amongst dinner guests dressed in their night-time “resort best.” It’s true that “necessity is the mother of invention” and I had to think fast; so I tucked in the straps of my existing knit jersey dress to form a strapless dress, I took the sash from the dress that was supposed to be tied to the side and tied it to the back instead and lastly, I took a flower pin I had brought and clipped it to the front of the dress to create a “ruched” effect.

Same dress, different style.


The same thing happens sometimes at weddings, when things don’t work out as they should, perhaps because of budgetary constraints, vendors or volunteers not meeting expectations or just with an unexpected chain of events; we are often forced to improvise using something or someone else!


For example, one bride I know, substituted children’s beaded bangles as napkin holders for her wedding, when she discovered the cost for napkin rings were too high! Another bride who went with a “Moroccan” theme for her wedding bought “old-fashioned” beaded curtains and then clipped them in order to use the individual strings of beads as ornamentation in her décor and on her wedding favours.


Similarly, when it comes to catering, if the idea of a dessert buffet seems out of your reach; improvise by choosing one type of dessert, for example, having a “cookie bar” or a “fruit bar.” This would be an affordable option for dessert paired with an offering of ice-cream, trifle, caramel custard or sorbet. It would certainly be unusual and something guests would surely remember, versus the standard “slice of cheesecake on a plate” type of wedding dessert.


Or if you’re thinking of having a cupcake tower, yet you don’t want to rent a cupcake stand, why not turn terracotta pots upside down, place painted, wooden plywood circles on top of them until you have the desired effect?

Another way to improvise is to “think outside the vase” when it comes to your centrepiece. There’s no requirement that says you have to stick with traditional glass vases and receptacles for your blooms. Why not recycle large cans for a rustic, outdoorsy type of reception? Or you can even use cappuccino cups, watering cans, tea pots, cake pedestals, pitchers, serving bowls and even unused lamp bases.


Improvising doesn’t mean that you have to go it alone! One other idea is to utilise your pool of resources. Friends and family are generally all too wiling to participate in wedding preparations but many just don’t know how to approach you about it or even how they can contribute. What you can do is to draw up a list in say, 4 categories:


1. Friends or relatives who are good for unusual ideas,


2. Those who don’t mind running an errand or two for you


3. Those who are good for “free labour!” such as: helping with valet parking, cooking and ushering and;


4. Those who are good for projects that require craftwork: such as packaging wedding favours, assembling boxes and gift-wrapping.

This way, you can keep your wedding budget down, involve your loved ones and remain somewhat stress-free! Improvising doesn’t necessarily mean having to cut costs though. Many couples improvise simply because they have a hankering to be different and unique, so feel free to improvise, trust me, you’ll be remembered as one original bride and groom!