Torn over engagement photos - need your advice!

I understand the pressure you're under because of also working in a tax accountant's office/firm.

I say you should go ahead and get the pictures done. I think it is better to feel frazzled now with trying to get prepped for the pictures than to wait after the tax season, get pictures done in which then you could feel even more frazzled with trying to get the save the dates done and out.

Well you have 2 options - Most save the dates can go out within about 8 months but it depends on how long you get your pictures back. So you can postpone until April and maybe plan to send picture save the dates later or use the pics for your actual invitation. Option 2 (what I would do) I would suck it up and make it to a store tonight or early tomorrow for an outfit and make a nail appt for today or tomorrow squeezing the time in so you can do the pics this weekend.

I'd go ahead and get them done!

I'd suggest asking your photographer for outfit advice! They'll know what outfits work best in front of the camera, and what colors are best for whatever lighting they're shooting in. For your nails, you don't have the get them professionally done! I just cut mine, made sure they were well groomed, then painted them myself with a natural/nude color.

Flowy dresses are really pretty in engagement pictures because it allows a lot of movement! If you're allowed 2 outfits, then I'd go with a flowy dress with some cute heels, then for the second outfit, a more casual look. Maybe some dark colored jeans with a nice sweater? Another thing to consider is picking styles that are more timeless, rather than what's trendy right now.

Book an appointment today or tomorrow for nails. Go on styleseat.com. watch a YouTube video and do an easy cute hairstyle.

Do you have time to go and get your nails done today or tomorrow? If so, do that. If not, try press-ons! I actually waited till last minute to get my outfits but I just went to Target and got them a couple days before. Flowy, long-sleeve dresses are perfect for this time of year as well as a simple sweater with jeans.

I would move forward with the photos now! We got ours done in December and the wintry feel came out beautiful. I’ll attach some photos so you can see. For my nails, I did color street. Might be too late to get some, because most of them have to ship, but I like the recommendation of press ons if you can’t get to a nail salon. Also...if you wait until April, remember that there will be a wait time for the photos to be done. Our photographer said 8 weeks, but it was due to holidays. Normal is 4-6 weeks, so really your save the dates would be going out closer to the 6-7 month mark. And even still, once you get the photos back you’ll have to format a save the date, order them, have them made, and get them out. So it could be even shorter.

My photos are scheduled for a week out & I feel the same! We’re in a similar spot with wanting them now because of schedule & the website, plus it’s cold here so I’m hoping we’ll run into fewer people (covid wedding problems!).


It sounds like you would rather get them done now, so I would go for that!

My FH & I first decided our general plan (casual outfits, no changes, although maybe some coats as we’re in New England & it’s cold!) & then considered our location (a woodsy area). Our photographer is very focused on taking photos of us being us & does more candid than posed, so she suggested we choose clothes that were comfortable & felt like us.
We did a “fashion show” last week to try on different combos & see which of our items look good together. I’m leaning toward a black sweater myself & dark jeans, & my FH is going for his favorite large plaid shirt & gray slacks. Honestly I feel like black, tan, ivory are all good options if you aren’t sure!
I bite my nails so will be using press on nails. I got mine at CVS (impress nails), & I’ve used them before so I know they don’t last too long. I’m going for a neutral matte pink or matte taupe, haven’t quite decided yet.

I know things can quickly creep up on us but I think taking them now would be better than waiting. Take some time to unwind and take a deep breathe. Write down things that need to be done and things you’d like to have done before photos, if time allows. Then focus on the essentials first.


I stressed about needing my nails done, a new outfit, my fiancé’s outfit, locations, etc but in the end I reminded myself that these pics should represent us. I skipped my nails cus I never do them lol (just made sure they were cut and clean). Fiancé and I also picked out outfits we had and felt good in. My sister took our pics so we drove around town. It downpouredddddd that day and luckily we had a 45 min window to take pictures! It turned out to be so fun and relaxed. Here’s an idea of some pics we took

For the outfits yes you want them to look good but it could be something simple, what matters is that you guys feel COMFORTABLE. Trust me that's what's gonna show in your pics. Nail appointments don't take longer than an hour max, you can knock that out today or tomorrow. Just do something simple to your hair . . you got this. I'm sure you guys will have a blast and your pics will come out gorgeous 🥰

I would go ahead and do them now! I stressed out about my photos, but it wound up being so much and not nearly as stressful as I envisioned. I’m not sure about your style, but my fiancé and I went for a more casual engagement shoot (even though our wedding is black tie, we kind of liked the difference in them) so I did a white sweater, jeans and heeled booties! I had the jeans and booties and ordered the sweater on Amazon so it came super quick (I had one in my closet I could’ve used but took the excuse to buy something new lol). If you’re worried about Spring being too late, I would definitely just do them now because you’ll stress about it for the next few months and you don’t want to have to do that. Good luck!!

You don't have to be glammed out for your engagement photos!

I didn't get my nails done, didn't buy new outfits, and did my own makeup - and they turned out great.

Your photographer can advise you on outfits, but really, the point of engagement photos is to showcase the two of you as YOU.

Here, two of ours, that were eminently US: