Plus, my top tips for planning your engagement photo outfits.

After capturing Jessica & Andrew’s surprise proposal at Signor Vineyard, I was very excited when they reached out to me to take their engagement photos. Along with some other engagement location ideas, I sent them the Laguna Gloria engagement session in downtown Austin.

They immediately loved the European feel – and I’m so glad they chose this location! The venue’s Driscoll Villa and surrounding grounds was the perfect setting for their simple and classy engagement photos.

Engagement Photos at Laguna Gloria in Downtown Austin

Reservations are required for this location, including a by-the-hour reservation fee.

Part of The Contemporary Austin Museum, Laguna Gloria is a hidden treasure buried in downtown Austin. The grounds are filled with modern sculptures and surrounded by wooded pathways to explore. Most notably, Laguna Gloria is home to the Driscoll Villa built in 1916, one of Austin’s most beloved wedding and engagement venues.

Jessica & Andrew’s desire for their Austin engagement session was super simple: they just wanted to show their love in an artful and timeless way.

They’re both genuinely kind & loving people, and getting to spend the afternoon with them on the gorgeous grounds of Laguna Gloria was like drifting through an enchanted dream. They both showed up in absolutely stunning outfits that effortlessly complimented the classy vibe of the villa.

How to plan couples engagement session outfits

Tips on how to dress for your engagement session:

1. Pretend like you’re planning a romantic movie scene:

   How do you want your movie scene to feel AND what’s the vibe of the setting/location?

   Taking photos in a wildflower meadow and want your photos to have an ethereal and enchanted love story feel? You’ll want to choose a flowing prairie dress or a flowing gown. Going for a more 60s flower child vibe? You’ll want to choose something like high waisted, flared jeans and a flowy peasant blouse.

   If you’re taking photos somewhere super elegant with lots of architectural details (like the Driscoll Villa), you can’t go wrong with silk and clean silhouettes like Jessica. This really highlights the location. BUT, Jessica also opted for a floral print dress for her second outfit, which made their photos a little more youthful and playful which was perfect for frolicking around in the gardens outside the villa.

2. Keep it simple. Keep it timeless.

   Many of my couples come to me for my clean and natural photography style. That means they really value images of enduring value and a sense of timelessness. The easiest way to plan your outfits for photos like this is to choose simple fabrics and silhouettes that you genuinely feel good in.

   The location you choose will probably be somewhere you find beautiful on its own and have lots of background details – like flowers or leaves or artful architecture. That means keeping it simple with cotton and linen fabrics and neutral colors can really go a long way.

3. Pull complimentary colors from your partners outfit and your engagement location.

   One thing that I loved about Jessica’s second dress was how the florals had hints of the greens and blues from the iconic Driscoll Villa sunroom’s couch and walls. If you know what your location looks like, don’t be afraid to have subtle nods of color from the setting in your outfits. Whether it’s little florals, a tie, shoes, etc. Just be careful the color isn’t slightly off.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask your photographer for outfit guidance.

   It’s literally our job. Our craft, our art, is all about colors, composition and capturing you in your truest form. As an Austin area engagement photographer, I have experience of taking and editing thousands upon thousands of photos, so I know first hand what works and doesn’t. It’s so important to me that you feel comfortable.

   So send me all the outfit and photo ideas, and I’ll make sure to guide you in a way that brings your dreams to life. I will always give you my advice and tips, and then tell you to follow your heart.

5. Last, but not least, wear what YOU want to.

   Don’t buy something you’ll never wear again for engagement photos. Buy something that genuinely brings you joy and makes you feel like the beautiful human you are. This also means, don’t try and put your partner in something they don’t love or they don’t feel at ease in. In order to have natural photos, you have to be totally and completely true to yourselves.

Outfit One: Classy & Chic Laguna Gloria Engagement Photos at the Driscoll Villa

Outfit Two: Playful & Sweet Engagement Photos on the Grounds

From the manicured grounds to the stunning villa, Jessica & Andrew’s absolutely nailed the classy romantic vibes at their Laguna Gloria Engagement session in downtown Austin.

As an Austin engagement photographer based in Fredericksburg, TX, I have all the insider tips on how to make your Texas Hill Country engagement shoot one-of-a-kind and true to you.

I’d love to hear what you’ve been dreaming of to tell your love story. Get in touch with me here!

Laguna Gloria Engagement Session Vendors

• Jessica’s Dresses: Abercrombie

• Andrew’s Outfit 1 Tux: Men’s Warehouse

• Makeup: Anastacio Beauty

• Hair: Victoria V Styling | Owner of Rêve Hair Salon in Austin