Are Engagement Photos Necessary?

Couples ask me when they are newly engaged, are engagement photos necessary? Do we need to have them? The answer is NO…you don’t need them to get married, but let me tell you, they do help you on your wedding day!

As a wedding planner, I always encourage my couples when they’re looking at wedding photographers, book the wedding photographer for your engagement shoot as well. Whether it’s included in their package or not, add it on.

Here’s the deal. Most humans, most normal, average adult humans are not used to having their photos taken as much as you will on your wedding day. I promise you. There will be a photographer in your face for HOURS on end. And we all know in every couple there’s one person that knows how to work it in front of a camera and the other person that does not. Practice makes perfect.

Speaking of hair and makeup, book your hair and makeup trial with your wedding hair and makeup artist on the same day as your engagement shoot and even if you don’t want to get the same hair and makeup stylings done for your engagement shoot as you do your wedding day, at least it gives you an idea of what it’s like to be in a hair and makeup chair with your artist that you’ve booked for your wedding. Again, they’re going to be right up in your face for hours on end. Plus, you see how your does with curling, your makeup does with longevity. It all works together.

You can use these photos for your Save the Dates, for your wedding website. I don’t know…your LinkedIn profile even. Have at it! All I’m saying is it’s a win win across the board.