I never had any engagement-photo inspirations really, mainly because I thought we weren’t going to have any. We nixed the idea of doing engagement pictures very early in the process since it seemed unnecessary and, frankly, it wasn’t in the budget.
Thus, when a friend of my parents offered to take engagement pictures for us while we were visiting for Christmas break, I was very, very thankful for the opportunity to get some nice shots of us.
However, I really had no idea where to start looking for inspiration, what to wear, or even what type of pictures we wanted. I never thought I would be taking engagement pictures in the dead of winter. Many of the really beautiful engagement pictures that I had pinned involve frolicking in a large field, like Miss Camel’s and Miss Otter’s gorgeous engagement pictures. Winter was never really part of my equation—I’m a complete and total wuss when it comes to being outside in the cold. That being said, there are a lot of very gorgeous winter engagement sessions.
Photo by: Canary Grey Photography on Grey Likes Weddings via Lover.ly
Photo by: Miller + Miller Photography on Sparkle and Hay via Lover.ly
While I absolutely love super-gorgeous snow pictures, we had the (un?)fortunate problem of being in the South, you know, where it doesn’t snow. Thus, I also thought about doing some type of Christmas/lights theme, since winter to me signifies the holidays.
Images via Ruffled / Photos by Sarah Rhodes
Image via Style Me Pretty / Photo by Cristina G Photography
Unfortunately, though, the more I thought about it, the less it really felt like us. After all, PBear and I have spent only a few holidays together, and December has been, at least recently, more about final exams than the holiday spirit. Thus, I found myself looking for pictures of people very clearly taking pictures in the winter, but without any type of holiday or winter theme to them, which proved to be more challenging than I had originally believed it would be.
Photo by: Chase Kuhn on Polka Dot Bride via Lover.ly
Photo by: Mohd Ming on Polka Dot Bride via Lover.ly
Photo by: Jessica Christie Photoraphy on Jessica Christie Photography via Lover.ly
I love the idea of just having engagement pictures that aren’t really themed—just normal, beautiful people getting photographed as they are in a snippet of time. I know that isn’t nearly interesting enough to get into the blogland, but we’re not really theme-y/props type of people anyway.
Did anyone else take engagement pictures in the wintertime? What were your inspirational pictures/props? How do people time it to get such beautiful snowy pictures?
(Next post, I promise, I’ll finish going through our engagement pictures and actually share them!)
My fiance is in the military so due to the timing of his leave, we were forced to take our engagement photos in the Vermont snow the day after Christmas. To be honest, I hate the snow. I hate being cold even for a short period of time. Luckily, I had my fiance to wrap his arms around me and keep me warm. I didn’t really notice how cold I was lol.
Our engagement photos are here: http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/our-winter-engagement-photos-pics
The only “props” we really had were some stylish coats, a blanket, and a string of “save the date” numbers.
I LOVE that photo in the snow with the huge heart!!! Snow is so magical! I think snowy pics are so beautiful, but I don’t think I could do it… I get way too cold!! I find twinkling Christmas lights so fun and whimsical when they are used in e pics! But sometimes photos don’t need any props at all, just the couples beautiful love! Can’t wait to see how your photos turned out!!!
We totally didn’t want a theme either. Then, we ended up taking our photos at a train museum, because it seemed like a good indoor-and-outdoor location. And now people say, “I loved theme of your engagement photos!” 
We JUST took our winter engagement photos today. In the middle of a blizzard. We were insane. It was so much fun and I’m pretty positive our photographer got a good one of me falling on my ass during the snow ball fight.
Just a fair warning, don’t ever do it WHILE it’s snowing or a little bit windy. We had snow blowing into our eyes during the end of it, when we were taking the pictures that mattered to me the most.
I’m anxious to see how they turned out!
@FutureMrsWeston: I love your pictures! you two are so cute! I was scared of freezing to death too, but you’re completely right, I barely noticed with all the excitement
@Mrs. Beanstalk: I love snow pictures too, there is something about snow that’s just absolutely magical… well, unless you get snowed in, like I am now!
@Miss Blue Whale: yeah, I *loved* your engagement photos! the train museum was such an awesome idea!
@krislynn_sd: I can’t believe you took pictures in the middle of this blizzard! PBear and I attempted to go outside during the storm and we didn’t make it out of our driveway! I can imagine the pictures will be absolutely stunning though!
It isn’t too bad in South Dakota – but enough to be super irritating. We got there early enough that we were half done with our photos when the storm really picked up. We still spent a good hour out there after it really started – but it was really difficult looking at her as the snow was blowing into our eyes! It was freezing too, and I’m such a pansy in the cold (where my fiance thrives in it. He was actually glad when I stuck my fingers up his shirt sleeve to warm my hands)
She put up a sneak peak and they’re looking great (about 4 of them), I can’t wait to see the rest.
We didn’t, but every time it starts to snow, my photographer friend posts a call looking for people who want to do portraits. I would loooove pictures in the snow!
We did ours at Thanksgiving but I almost wished we had waited till Christmas… snow pictures are amazing! But then again, it was kind of nice to not be freezing the whole time 
I don’t think our photo shoot was really themed. It was definitely more casual and laid back, and we just had fun. Sometimes I look back and think “Oh, I wish we had done this…” but it’s nice to be able to use the pictures everywhere.
I wanted “normal looking” pics, meaning no theme. We are not fancy pic people and adding a theme would feel out of place for us, but I love looking at them.
Miss Panda, Boston, MA Age and Occupation: 26, Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Graduate Student Engagement Date: June 27, 2011 Wedding Date: June 2013 About Me: I love window shopping, cute animals, crafting, baking, and most forms of procrastination. I tend to be overly meticulous with choices to a point of complete and total indecision. Mr. PBear and I met and live in the amazing city of Boston. We are big nerds who love trying new foods, playing video games, and cuddling with our adorable hamster. After 5 years together, we are planning an intimate, DIY-heavy, vintage garden themed, nonreligious wedding in the city where we fell in love.
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