The One & Only Engagement Guide
Style tips, timing and planning for your engagement session
Congratulations!
The engagement session is one of our favorite parts of our time together. It gives you both a chance to get comfortable in front of our cameras before the wedding, which makes the big day feel so much smoother and more relaxed. Not only that, but we get to create something special together. You'll be married for fifty years or more, but you only get to be engaged for this short season, and we love capturing the one time in your life when you get to call each other fiancé.
We put together this guide with all of our best tips for getting the most out of your engagement session, from picking the date and location to choosing outfits that photograph beautifully. Let's dive in!
Date & Time
Golden hour. We begin every engagement session about two hours before sunset, during golden hour, when the light is at its dreamiest. Look up the sunset for your date and location with an online sunset calculator, then subtract two hours to find your start time. The sun sets much earlier in the cooler months and much later in summer, so factor that in if you're taking time off work or have plans afterward.
Arrive a little early. Plan a buffer while getting ready so you can arrive a few minutes early. We only shoot while there is natural light in the sky, so every minute before sunset counts. If you're bringing two outfits, save your favorite for the second half. If you're wearing one, arrive dressed in it.
Quick tip. Our weekends fill up first and far in advance. Booking a weekday session is the easiest way to get the date you want.
Location
We're natural light photographers because we believe light from the sun and its reflections creates photographs that feel fresh, timeless and true to you as a couple.
Pick your backdrop. Start by deciding what you'd like to feature: the beach, a forest or mountain trail, a lake, a garden or the city. Many of our couples love showing off the natural beauty of Southern California, especially when guests will be flying in for the wedding.
Think outside the box! Brainstorm places you or someone in your network might have special access to, like a private estate, a country club or resort, a family ranch, an upscale hotel or even an airplane hangar. Spend a few minutes asking around. You'll be surprised by what you come up with, and you never know until you ask!
Style Tips for Her
Dress it up. There's no such thing as too dressed up for an engagement session! Have you always wanted to wear a sequined gown, a tulle skirt or a flower crown but never had the occasion? This is it. Renting a dress is a great way to feel like a million bucks without the price tag, or use the session as the perfect excuse to add a new favorite to your closet.
The dress. Long, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they add movement, especially against the beach, a forest or a field. Shorter dresses photograph beautifully too. We recommend skipping pants and shorts and saying yes to a dress or two.
The color. Lighter tones and muted shades look best in photos. Skipping ultra bright, bold colors keeps the attention on your faces and the way you feel about each other. The camera loves soft pink and muted blue paired with light neutrals like heather gray, cream, white and leather brown.
Flattering your features. Three-quarter length sleeves are flattering on the arms, and a jacket, blazer or cardigan is an easy way to add coverage. Closed-toe heels lengthen the leg and carry its line all the way to your toes. Wearing peep-toes? Book a pedicure before your session.
Hair and makeup. Professional hair and makeup tops most of our couples' checklists because it looks amazing and takes the stress out of getting ready. Ask your artist to apply your makeup in natural light so it looks fresh, not heavy. It may feel like more than you usually wear, and that's completely normal. Need a recommendation? We work with an amazing team and are happy to connect you.
One outfit or two? Many couples bring one "wow" look and one shorter sundress or cocktail dress for a more casual "us on a date" feel. One look you love is always better than one you love plus one you're lukewarm about. Bring flats for walking between spots, and get your ring cleaned and your nails done before the session, since your ring will be center stage!
Style Tips for Him
Prep your man. Most guys aren't thrilled about two hours of photos, usually because of a bad experience in the past or because they don't know what to expect. Take fifteen minutes to walk him through it. Tell him why you chose us, show him three of your favorite sessions we've photographed and explain why they mean so much to you. Once he knows it matters to you, he'll light up the camera!
By the end of the session, almost every guy tells us he can't believe how fast it went and how much fun he had. Coordinate his outfit with yours using the color palettes below: a crisp button-down, chinos or tailored pants, and clean shoes are always a win.
Color Guide
Choosing what to wear can feel tricky, but it should be fun! Your outfits matter because we want the focus on the two of you, not just your clothes. These four palettes are a great place to start.
Team Neutral. White, cream, sand, light gray and taupe for a soft, timeless look that works anywhere.
Team Blue. Dusty and powder blues with a pop of deeper slate blue, paired with whites and light neutrals.
Team Blush. Pale blush, peach, caramel and terracotta, with deep plum as a rich accent.
Team Dark & Contrast. Burgundy, sage and deep olive balanced with cream and greige for a bold, moody feel. Gorgeous in the forest!
Cultural attire. Planning to wear an ao dai, qipao or another traditional outfit? It photographs beautifully and makes a meaningful second look.
If you'd like help planning your outfits, just ask. We're happy to look over your options before the session.
Engagement Session Checklist
☐ Set your date, time and location with Janice
☐ Review this guide for style tips
☐ Schedule hair and makeup appointments
☐ Choose your outfits
☐ Get your nails done
☐ Clean your ring
☐ Pack a bag: flats or flip-flops for walking between spots, your second outfit with shoes and accessories, touch-up makeup, a water bottle for warm sessions and a coat or cover-up for cool ones
☐ Pick a fun spot for a post-session date night
After Your Session
2 to 3 days. A social media sneak peek with one of our favorite photos.
7 days. A set of highlights from our time together.
14 days. Your full online gallery of final, high-resolution images.
Don't forget to plan a dinner date! You're already going to be all dressed up, so why not take advantage of it? Wedding planning can feel all-consuming, so take some time after your session to relax and have fun, just the two of you. You deserve it!
A Final Note
We know we just gave you a lot to think about! We created this guide to help make your engagement session something you'll look back on fondly for years to come. At the end of the day, the location and outfits won't matter nearly as much as the memories you make together. Your future marriage is the most important thing to us, and we want your session to be a time to just be yourselves and enjoy each other. Have fun together, laugh a lot, and we'll take care of the rest!
Love,
Janice & Edwin
One and Only Production is a photo and video team based in West Covina, serving Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire and the San Gabriel Valley in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Browse our engagement sessions for inspiration, then check your date with us.