Proposal Outfits

When it comes to proposing to the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you can either wing it or you can prepare for it! If you’re here, chances are you’re ready to plan. 💍 Wondering what to wear for your proposal moment? We’ve got you covered with proposal outfit ideas for every couple, occasion and location you can imagine!

We easily connect people with trusted photographers for fun photo shoots and have captured over four million memories worldwide. The magic of Flytographer is both the experience and the photos. Explore the city with a fun, talented photographer and get wall-worthy photos to relive your trip, forever. Capturing this magical occasion with photos allows you to look back on the exact moment when you or your partner said “YES!” for years to come. 📸

TLDR

1. Colours are Key: Colour is the anchor of your outfits; play with some shades of warm and cool solid colours.
2. Formal Attire: Plan an occasion that warrants the glam without arousing suspicion.
3. Semi-formal Attire: You can still dress up for the proposal but with a more casual look.
4. Coordinating Outfits: While some matching is good, too much matching turns into cheesy overkill.
5. Beach-appropriate Outfits: Your outfits should be as easy and breezy as your vacation!
6. Casual Look: We encourage you to wear what you feel most comfortable and confident in.
7. Weather-appropriate Outfits: It’s all about layering!
8. Florals and Patterns: While we’ve never seen a flower we didn’t like, some patterns will lend themselves better to photos.
9. Adding Props: When you’re planning your perfect proposal, a prop can make your proposal more personal and special.
10. Proposal Posing Tips: We have a few tips to capture every precious emotion from your surprise proposal.

Photo: Marie in Maui for Flytographer. Emily and partner capture memories in Maui with a proposal photoshoot at Kapalua Ironwoods.

1. Colours are Key

A proposal is an iconic moment where your and your partner’s love and emotions for each other are front and centre, so don’t let your proposal outfit become a distraction. When in doubt, our rule of thumb is to not overdo it. Colour is the anchor of your outfits, so aim to stick to two or three. 

Play with some shades of warm and cool colours and see what you prefer. Warm colours are reds, oranges and yellows, and they give a feeling of energy and brightness. Cool colours are blues, greens and purples, and they give a feeling of peace and serenity. 🔮

Once you’ve chosen your base colour, build the rest of your proposal outfit ideas with neutral colours such as grey, black, white, navy or taupe to tone it down and keep the focus on you!

Photo: Amanda in Chicago for Flytographer. Price and partner capture memories in Chicago with a proposal photoshoot.

2. Formal Attire

The streets of Paris … a rooftop restaurant in Barcelona … a private terrace for two. If your proposal is a formal occasion, we suggest leaving the flip-flops and t-shirts at home. What – a floor-length dress and fancy bowties don’t make regular appearances in your everyday wardrobe? Plan an occasion that warrants the glam without arousing suspicion, such as a fancy dinner reservation or brunch before the surprise proposal. Your partner will be dressed to the nines without thinking about what to wear when you think you’re getting engaged! ✨  

For women, long gowns, high heels and styled hair are classic proposal outfit ideas. For men, a well-fitted suit or blazer and tie paired with dress shoes will leave them feeling equally confident. (Pro tip: Treat your partner to a manicure the day before so their nails are picture-perfect and ready for their close-up.) There is nothing better than setting up the day with perfect proposal outfits for him and her.

Photo: Mattia in Lake Como for Flytographer. Manjot and partner celebrate a proposal in Lake Como with a surprise proposal photoshoot in Bellagio.

3. Semi-formal Attire

If you still want to dress up for the proposal without the gusto of a gown, semi-formal attire feels a touch more relaxed for the dress code. A proposal outfit for her might be a flowy skirt or a midi cocktail-style dress. For a men’s proposal outfit, opt for a button-up shirt, pants and a jacket. This proposal outfit idea approach will also allow for the engagement ring to pop in those engagement photos.

Photo: Claudia in Sintra for Flytographer. Mark and partner celebrate a proposal in Sintra with a surprise proposal photoshoot at Monserrate Palace and Gardens.

4. Coordinating Outfits

Repeat after us – coordinating outfits does not mean matching outfits! 🙅 While some matching is good, too much matching turns into cheesy overkill for the special occasion. When thinking about what to wear when you get engaged, your coordinating outfits should be partners, not twins, and a little planning goes a long way.

Keep your location and weather in mind. For example, Italy’s array of pastel-coloured houses pairs well with a neutral palette or even a white dress, while a natural background offers the chance for a pop of colour. The season can also influence your proposal outfit ideas. A fall wardrobe is full of earthy tones like rust, mustard and olive. A summer wardrobe is perfect for whites, blues, yellows or bright pink. A winter wardrobe is best for neutral pieces, as you’ll be layering up to keep warm! ❤️

Photo: Alyse in Napa-Sonoma for Flytographer. Neil and partner capture memories in Napa-Sonoma with a proposal photoshoot.

5. Beach-appropriate Outfits

Whisking your love story away to a romantic beach destination? 🌴 Your proposal outfit ideas should be as easy and breezy as your vacation. If you like a pop of colour, we recommend bright pinks, teals, purples and shades of blue. If you prefer more neutral pastels, opt for light blues, greens, corals and other light colours. If you are wearing light or bright colours, your partner should wear light or bright colours too.  

There’s no better feeling than your toes in the sand, so leave your shoes behind and keep those feet bare! For a men’s beach proposal outfit, rolled-up pants are a dressier choice, while nice shorts are more casual. We’re fans of a comfortable t-shirt, but choose one that is logo-free and in a solid colour. For ladies, a beach proposal dress is as airy as your location (maxi dresses are perfect for the flowy effect). Choose a breathable fabric like cotton or linen that can get a little wet when you dip your toes in the ocean. 🌊

Photo: Allie in Los Angeles for Flytographer. Manraj and partner capture memories in Las Angeles with a proposal photoshoot at Manhattan Beach Pier.

6. Casual Look

Our most important rule is … to forget the rules! 😎 We encourage you to wear what you feel most comfortable and confident in, and you likely have the perfect proposal outfit ideas in your wardrobe already. 

If you’re keeping your photo shoot outfits casual but still feel overwhelmed by the choices, we have some tips for women’s and men’s proposal outfits.

• Start with a palette of no more than two to three colours max. For example, a neutral combination of cream, grey and tan always does well together. Then, add pink for a light and airy look, or go for a bold look by adding orange or navy. 
• Another option is to start with a statement piece in a pattern or variety of colours and work off those colours for the rest of your outfit. For example, bold floral proposal dresses would coordinate well with an olive-green shirt and neutral pants. 
• Find inspiration from your location: the Mediterranean blues of Santorini, the bold colours of Tokyo, the warm pinks of Venice or the soft green palm trees of Maui. Every destination tells a colour story that can continue in your engagement outfit.

If this starts to feel complicated or overwhelming, remember our two favourite words: simple and clean. 👏 When you’re looking back on your photos years from now, a timeless outfit with simple pieces won’t feel dated. 

Photo: Natalia in Barcelona for Flytographer. Silvia and partner capture memories in Barcelona with a proposal photoshoot at El Born and Parc de la Ciutadella.

7. Weather-appropriate Outfits

Especially in colder climates, your favourite dresses or short-sleeved shirts might not be the best choice for proposal outfit ideas… unless goosebumps and red noses are your favourite accessories. 😉

Winter offers the perfect opportunity to layer up with season-appropriate accessories and confidence, and it all starts with a great base. While many coats are black, a lighter colour like grey, tan or brown will help you stand out from the crowd – or opt for a warm sweater or cardigan to mix it up. Pair with jeans and boots for a functional and photo-worthy outfit. Winter hats, a colourful scarf, mittens and socks are optional accessories that can show off your personality!

Photo: Flytographer in Banff. Joseph and partner capture memories in Banff with a proposal photoshoot at Lake Minnewanka.

8. Florals and Patterns

Choosing the perfect floral pattern can feel impossible with so many options available. While we’ve never seen a flower we didn’t like, some patterns will lend themselves better to photos. 🌺

Consider going with a more neutral pattern with your florals, so you still have the benefit of adding texture and interest in a subtle way. For example, a small print will be less distracting than a large print, as will a print with similar colours rather than one with a large and bright variety of colours. Build the rest of your proposal outfits around the floral print by pulling your accent colours from the pattern itself for your partner’s wardrobe. Mix solids and patterns to add visual interest, or keep patterns to a minimum and add interest through varying textures and fabrics for proposal outfit ideas. 

Photo: Spyros in Santorini for Flytographer. Peter and partner celebrate a proposal in Santorini with a surprise proposal photoshoot at Imerovigli Village.

9. Adding Props

When you’re planning your perfect proposal, a prop can make your surprise engagement ideas even more personal and special. Feel free to get creative! 

A few ideas we love:

• A sign or banner to mark the spot.
• A heartfelt love letter.
• Twinkle lights to add extra sparkle.
• A keepsake that represents your unique relationship.
• A custom ring box.
• Flowers or a custom arch. 
• Drinks and glasses for a celebratory toast. 🍾

Photo: Shannon in Saint Martin for Flytographer. Joe and partner capture memories in Saint Martin with a proposal photoshoot at Indigo Bay Beach.

10. Proposal Posing Tips 

The proposal shot is iconic and one you’ll treasure for a lifetime. To capture the shot, we have a few tips for you to keep in mind to help your Flytographer capture every precious emotion that you and your (very, very excited) partner will experience. 

1. Hire a professional Flytographer. We’ve captured thousands of proposals across the world, so we’ve truly perfected the proposal process. Our local photographers have recommendations for the best times and locations in your destination to make the proposal everything you’ve dreamed of. Check out our tips on how to plan the perfect destination proposal for location inspo!
2. Practice kneeling. Whether you’re getting down on one knee in pants, shorts or a dress, this probably isn’t a pose you get into every day. Make sure your clothing is kneeling-friendly (that the back of your pants doesn’t gape or pull down, for example), the ring is easily accessible and you feel comfortable. 
3. Act natural. As you ask your partner to marry you, nothing is more important than just being in the moment! Tears, laughter, a Breakfast Club-style celebratory fist in the air – feel free to let your joy take over.
4. Stay on your knee longer than you think you need to. While you’ve probably been thinking about this moment for what feels like forever, the moment itself is fleeting. We invite you to savour every second by staying down on one knee as you ask the big question, get the “Yes!” and slide the ring onto your now-fiancée’s finger. 💍 This also gives your photographer the opportunity to capture as many shots as possible of you and your loved one. 

Photo: Flytographer in Honolulu. Paul and partner celebrate a proposal in Honolulu with a surprise proposal photoshoot at Makapuu Lookout.

Capturing your Surprise Proposal

The proposal outfit ideas are flowing, the proposal plan is ready to go and all that’s left to do is pop the big question! Are you now inspired and full of romantic engagement ideas to surprise your partner? Don’t forget to book your proposal Flytographer to capture the magic of it all! ✨