Pre-Wedding Photoshoot: What to Expect, What to Wear & How to Prepare
It’s not just your wedding day that offers unforgettable photo opportunities. When the question has been popped (along with dozens of champagne corks) and the planning is underway, a pre-wedding photoshoot with your wedding photographer is a great opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera and capture some incredible images of this celebratory moment.
Also known as an ‘engagement shoot’ or ‘couples shoot’, pre-wedding photos used to feel a bit cookie-cutter and uninspiring, but they’ve come a long way. Some couples prefer a documentary style of photography that tells the authentic story of their relationship, while others will go all-out with styling and their choice of setting for something more dynamic, high-impact and editorial.
Whichever style you opt for, we’ve covered everything you need to know about doing a pre-wedding photoshoot below. With tips on when to schedule your pre-wedding shoot to what to wear… all you have to do is work on your pose!
What is a Pre-Wedding Photoshoot?
A pre-wedding photoshoot is a relaxed photo session with your wedding photographer that usually lasts an hour or two in a location of your choice.
It’s a great opportunity to get familiar with your photographer before the wedding day itself; they’ll spend time directing you through a series of natural poses and capturing the two of you as you walk, talk, laugh, and soak up the moment.
Some couples choose to have their pre-wedding shoot in the grounds of their wedding venue, while others will choose a different location that’s meaningful to them in some way. The shoot itself is also known as an ‘engagement shoot’, ‘couples shoot’, or ‘pre-wedding session’.
Some photographers will include a pre-wedding photoshoot in their packages, while others will charge separately, so always check this before you book.
Is a Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Worth It?
Of course, a pre-wedding photoshoot isn’t an essential, but it can be a useful addition to your plans – particularly if you’re someone who feels awkward in front of a camera, or if you haven’t worked with your photographer before.
A pre-wedding photoshoot is for you if…
- You want to feel more confident in front of the camera, either separately or together, ahead of your wedding day.
- You’re keen to build rapport with your photographer. A shoot allows you to learn how they work, while they learn how you interact and respond to direction.
- You’d like to use the images for things such as save-the-date cards or invitations, your wedding website, anniversary gifts – or you just want a set of images that aren’t selfies taken on your phone!
- You want to learn more about your own preferences, such as which angles you like, and whether you prefer candid shots or more directed poses.
A pre-wedding photoshoot may not be for you if…
- You don’t have enough in your wedding budget. A pre-wedding photo package typically costs somewhere between £150-£500, depending on the wedding photographer’s prices and what’s included in the session.
- You’re already comfortable in front of a camera or have worked with the photographer before.
- You feel confident your photographer has enough experience directing nervous couples on the wedding day itself, so there’s no need for a pre-shoot.
Ultimately, for those who feel particularly nervous about their wedding portraits or who generally feel awkward in front of the lens, a pre-wedding shoot is worth it.
For confident couples who know and trust their photographer, it can be a nice-to-have, rather than an essential.
When to do Your Pre-Wedding Shoot
Aim to book in your pre-wedding shoot around two to six months ahead of the wedding, depending on the main purpose of the shoot and what you’d like to use the images for.
If you want to use the shots for things like save-the-dates or your wedding website, you might book your photoshoot even earlier, but ideally it should be close enough to the wedding so that when you meet your photographer again, your relationship and experience with them still feels fresh in your mind.
Avoid doing your shoot a month before – you’ll find that those final weeks ahead of the big day are busy enough.
Otherwise, you may also want to consider the time of year. And the location you choose may also be dependent on when you have your pre-wedding photos. If you have your heart set on golden hour in a bluebell wood, you’re naturally working with a limited window. Discuss the timing of your shoot with your photographer early on.
What to Wear for a Pre-Wedding Photoshoot
There are no hard and fast rules on what you should wear for your engagement shoot, the most important thing is that you choose something you feel genuinely comfortable and like yourself in.
If your goal is to feel more confident in front of the camera, you can only do that in clothes that are an extension of your personal style – anything that feels too much like a costume or perhaps over-formal for your usual style will be picked up by the camera.
Too many pre-wedding photo dress options to navigate? Here are some tips to help you out…
- Coordinate, don’t match: There’s absolutely no need to wear identical colours or looks, but your outfits should feel cohesive. When it comes to colour, think complementary tones (navy and cream or rust and olive, for example).
- Let the setting and season steer your styling: If you’re outside, dress for the weather – a floaty sun dress won’t work for a winter shoot and cute ballet flats might look out of place in a muddy wood or beach.
- Consider the fabric: Not only does it add depth and visual interest, but fabrics like linen, silk, cotton and light wool will move and photograph well, too.
- Skip the print: Solid colours tend to photograph better over bold patterns.
- Consider an outfit change: A second look is definitely worth it for longer shoots. It’ll add variety to your final gallery of images. Likewise, you might want to change up your look by adding an accessory, such as a hat or piece of heirloom jewellery.
Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Ideas & Locations
Most couples choose to have their pre-wedding photoshoot in a place that holds meaning for them in some way – perhaps the pub where you had your first date or the park you got engaged in. Others opt to have in within the grounds of their wedding venue, if allowed.
Whether you love the idea of an urban location or a more rural setting out in the countryside, here are some tips for choosing your pre-wedding photo shoot location:
- Give it meaning: Is it where you met? The route of your favourite walk, or just a neighbourhood you love? Being photographed in a place you feel genuinely at ease will make for more natural shots.
- Look for good, natural light: Think open spaces, south-facing aspects and indoor locations without harsh artificial lighting.
- Ensure it is practical: Do you need permission to photograph there? Will it be overcrowded with tourists at the time of shooting? Is there accessibility and parking? These are all considerations to think about.
Here are some pre-wedding photo ideas and location suggestions to get you started:
Outdoor settings
This is a popular option for engaged couples – think bluebell woods and wildflower meadows that are bursting with colour in the spring and summer, or woodlands and fields during golden hour in the autumn or winter.
Coastal settings, such as beaches and clifftops, can work year round. These kinds of natural settings give your photographer plenty to work with.
City centres
Whether it’s bustling markets, quiet side streets or rooftop terraces and architectural spaces, there are plenty of urban settings out there to choose from for city-dwelling couples who want images that reflect their daily life.
Studios
If your photographer has a studio, this might be an option, but it’s a less common choice for engaged couples. Choose a studio shoot if you want something more controlled, posed, and even editorial in feel.
How to Feel Comfortable in Front of the Camera
For so many couples, the idea of being filmed or captured on camera can make them feel awkward – so how do you learn to relax in front of the camera?
Building trust with your photographer early on is key, which is where a pre-wedding photoshoot can help. The more connected and relaxed you feel with them, the more natural you’ll look in front of the lens.
A good photographer with plenty of experience photographing couples will also be able to put you at ease and gently direct you through movements and moments that feel natural rather than staged.
If you find you’re still feeling worried, here are a few practical things that can help:
- Arrive at your location early: Feeling calm and not rushed will help you beat the jitters, as well settling into the location before shooting starts.
- Talk to each other rather than looking at the camera: Photographers will often ask couples to do this – have a conversation, walk together, make each other laugh. Try to think about the camera less and focus on your partner. That’s when the magic happens!
- Consider props, pets or accessories: Sometimes it can help to have something that keeps your hands busy.
- Take breaks when needed: If you’re feeling tense or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask your photographer if you can stop for a moment to take a deep breath or shift your mindset.
- Accept that the first 10 minutes always feels awkward: It’s a completely normal feeling and it will pass.
What to Ask Your Photographer Before a Pre-Wedding Shoot
- What is included in the pre-wedding photo package? For example, how many hours and how many edited images?
- What is the delivery timeline for our gallery, and what format will they be delivered in?
- Can we use our photos freely for things such as save-the-dates, social media, etc?
- Do you have location suggestions, or should we propose somewhere?
- What time of day do you prefer to shoot, and how does that affect the location choice?
- Do we need to arrange location permits, or will you handle that?
- Can we bring props or a pet, and do you have experience with those?
- What happens if the weather is poor – will you reschedule or do you work with it?
Pre-Wedding Photoshoot UK: FAQ
What are pre-wedding photos?
Your pre-wedding photos are a set of edited images from a shoot – sometimes known as an engagement shoot – that takes place with your photographer before the wedding day. It typically lasts 1-2 hours at a chosen location.
Your pre-wedding photos are separate to your wedding day photography, though some photographers will include it as part of their package.
Is a pre-wedding shoot worth it?
For many couples, the answer is yes. If you’re the kind of couple who feels awkward in front of the camera or you are working with a photographer you don’t know well, a pre-wedding shoot can help build confidence and rapport, and develop a good working relationship with them ahead of the wedding day.
Of course, you’ll need to ensure it sits within your budget. Pre wedding photos cost somewhere between £150 and £500.
What should you wear for a pre-wedding photoshoot?
You should wear something that feels like an extension of your personal style. Choose clothes that you have ideally worn before, are comfortable in and feel like yourself in. Coordinate with your partner, rather than matching exactly.
Solid colours tend to photographer better than bold patterns, too.
When should you do a pre-wedding shoot?
Most couples will do their pre-wedding shoot two to six months before the wedding. This is early enough for couples to use their images for things like invitations and their wedding website, but close enough to the wedding that the photographer/couple relationship feels active.
Steer clear of having them done in the final month – you’ll be busy enough!
How long does a pre-wedding shoot take?
Most pre-wedding shoots run for 1-2 hours but it depends on your photographer and the style of shoot you want.
Some photographers will run lighter options that are between 30-45 minutes, while others will offer the option of extended half-day shoots with outfit changes, so you get a more varied gallery as a result.
Still looking for your wedding photographer?
If you’re still searching for the right person, Bridebook, the UK’s #1 wedding planning platform used by over 2.8 million couples, lets you browse photographer portfolios, read real couple reviews and enquire directly.
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Bridebook is the world’s #1 wedding planning platform, used by over 2.8 million couples. Our content is informed by real data from the Bridebook UK Wedding Report, which draws on responses from thousands of couples planning their weddings each year. Where expert input is included, contributors are named and their credentials verified. We update our articles regularly to ensure prices, statistics, and advice reflect current market conditions.
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