They Said Yes—5 Dresses Real Brides Wore for Their Engagement Photos

Lately, it feels like someone new is flashing a ring every time I open Instagram. From celebrity proposals to close friends dropping the "We said yes!" posts, I've officially entered that phase of life—engagement season is in full swing. As a fashion editor and dress enthusiast, my eyes always go straight to what a bride-to-be is wearing. Let's be real: The best dresses for engagement photos (and the subsequent engagement party) can set the tone for the wedding journey ahead.

Whether you're planning a dreamy beach shoot, a cozy at-home session, or something chic in the city, your engagement-photo dress deserves just as much thought as the ring. I found five real brides (including some celebrities) to share exactly what they wore for the moment they said yes. From romantic halterneck silhouettes to subtle white dresses, these are the best dresses for engagement photos that are as camera ready as they are commitment-worthy.

Ready to find your perfect engagement-shoot dress? Shop all five picks—plus more engagement dresses I'm loving right now—below.

It's no surprise L.A. cool girl Claudia Sulewski chose to wear Réalisation for her special engagement to partner Finneas after seven years of dating. The dress du jour—Réalisation deep-V-neck Eva Dress—has a sweet, subtle floral pattern without feeling too grandma-esque. Plus, it looks gorgeous during sunset. Not bad for an It-girl engagement photo shoot.

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Perhaps I'm biased since this is my engagement-shoot dress, but I absolutely loved the look of my secondhand shirred Mara Hoffman dress given its stretchy material, open back, and, most importantly, long sleeves. Since I got engaged in the early spring, I knew I wanted a long-sleeve dress so I wouldn't freeze during my engagement photos. Although I knew the exact date I was getting engaged, it still didn't take away from the surprise. In fact, choosing a dress I completely fell in love with helped me take advantage of the occasion and the hundreds of photographs I knew I'd be taking. If you have that luxury of knowledge on your side, go with a dress you look and feel your best in, no matter the style.

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It was the post that broke the internet and the dress that immediately sold out. Of course, I'm talking about Taylor Swift's engagement to Travis Kelce and her photo shoot dress. While Swift's look may have been completely unplanned, it still felt natural, casual, and totally her—a simple smocked halterneck dress with an A-line skirt.

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Yes, you don't have to wear white to your engagement photo shoot. When Bella Gerard went shopping for outfits for her photo shoot last fall, she recounts feeling doubtful of whether her look was bridal enough. "I tried it on and fell in love. But could I get away with a non-white look? I purchased it as a safety option and debated whether or not I'd regret going yellow for the occasion," Gerard explained in her B List Substack newsletter. I remember urging her back then that, yes, butter yellow could be pulled off, and the photos prove it. Sometimes, it's best to go with something a bit fun and unexpected for your engagement-shoot dress.

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There's something special about wearing a white dress during your engagement photo shoot—it is the first time someone wears white as a bride-to-be, after all. If you have a hunch like my friend Sophia Sanders did, you'll probably pick out your favorite white dress that still feels casual enough that it won't arouse any suspicion for the person who's planning to propose to you. "I wanted to wear something cute, understated, and classy," Sanders explains. "I wanted to feel girly, so I added my favorite cardigan and Madewell red flats so I didn't look too fancy in case it didn't happen." Luckily for her, it did.

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