Save The Date Picture: Complete Guide

Okay so save the date pictures are basically your first impression

Look, the photo you choose for your save the date is gonna set the entire tone for your wedding, and I learned this the hard way back in spring 2023 when a couple sent me their “perfect” photo and it was literally just them standing in front of a brick wall looking like they were waiting for a bus. Not romantic. Not exciting. Just… there.

The thing is, your save the date picture needs to do a few things at once. It’s gotta show you both clearly enough that grandma can recognize you, it needs to match whatever vibe you’re going for with the wedding, and honestly it should make people excited to attend. I’ve seen couples spend three months agonizing over their wedding invites and then just slap any old selfie on the save the date and it drives me kinda crazy because this is the first thing people see.

When to actually take the photo

You want this done like right after you get engaged or within a few months max. I know everyone says get engagement photos done professionally and yeah that’s ideal but also if you’re sending save the dates 8-12 months before the wedding you don’t always have time to wait for the perfect golden hour session with a photographer who’s booked until next season.

Some couples do a casual photo shoot themselves. Set up your phone on a timer, find decent lighting, wear something that’s not your pajamas. Others hire someone specifically for engagement photos which doubles as save the date content. The professional route gives you more options but costs anywhere from $200 to $800 depending on your area and the photographer’s experience.

Professional vs DIY photos

Here’s what I tell people: if you’re comfortable in front of a camera and have a friend with a decent eye, you can totally DIY this. My cat literally walked through one couple’s DIY photo shoot and they got the cutest candid shot of them laughing while she photobombed them. That became their save the date and everyone loved it.

Professional photographers know how to pose you so you don’t look stiff. They understand lighting and angles and all that technical stuff. But they also cost money and require scheduling and sometimes you just wanna get this done on a random Saturday afternoon when you’re both feeling cute.

If you go DIY, use portrait mode on your phone, shoot during the golden hour which is like an hour before sunset, and take way more photos than you think you need. I’m talking hundreds. You’ll delete 95% of them but you need options.

What to wear in your save the date photo

This is where couples get weird and overthink everything. You don’t need matching outfits unless that’s your thing. You don’t need formal wear unless your wedding is black tie. Just wear something that feels like you but slightly elevated.

I had this couple in summer 2021 who showed up to their engagement shoot in full formal wear, like she was in a gown and he was in a tux, and their wedding was gonna be a casual backyard BBQ situation. The photos looked gorgeous but totally mismatched the vibe and guests were so confused when they got the actual invites later. It annoyed me because I’d specifically asked about their wedding style and they just… didn’t connect the dots I guess.

Solid colors photograph better than busy patterns. Avoid anything with logos or text unless it’s intentional and meaningful. And please check that your clothes are wrinkle-free before the shoot because I’ve seen too many beautiful photos ruined by a rumpled shirt.

Color coordination tips

You want complementary colors, not identical. Like if one person wears navy, the other could wear cream or a soft pink or even a rust color. Avoid one person in all black and one in all white because it creates this stark contrast that can look harsh in photos.

Think about your wedding colors too. If you’re doing blush and gold, maybe incorporate those tones into your outfits. It creates continuity across all your wedding stationery which is something most people don’t think about but makes everything feel more cohesive.

Location location location

Where you take the photo matters more than you’d think. Some couples do their photos at the venue where they’re getting married which is cute and gives guests a preview. Others choose a location that’s meaningful to them like where they first met or got engaged.

Natural settings almost always photograph well. Parks, beaches, mountains, even a nice tree-lined street in your neighborhood. Urban settings can work too if that’s your aesthetic but watch out for random people or cars in the background.

One thing that really bugs me is when couples choose a location that’s so specific and personal that it needs explanation. Like okay you got engaged at this random coffee shop but in the photo it just looks like a generic storefront and guests are confused. If the location isn’t obviously meaningful from the image alone, maybe reconsider or make sure your photographer captures it in a way that makes sense.

Indoor vs outdoor shoots

Outdoor lighting is generally more forgiving and creates that soft romantic look everyone wants. Indoor photos can work but you need really good natural light from windows or you’ll need professional lighting equipment which gets complicated.

If you’re shooting indoors, position yourselves near a large window but not directly in harsh sunlight. You want that soft diffused light. And declutter the background because nobody needs to see your laundry basket or random furniture in your save the date photo.

Posing without looking awkward

Most people feel super uncomfortable posing for photos and it shows. The stiff arms, the forced smiles, the “what do I do with my hands” energy. I get it.

The best photos happen when you’re actually doing something rather than just standing there. Walk toward the camera holding hands. Laugh at an inside joke. Spin around. Kiss (but like a real kiss not a weird staged peck). Movement creates natural moments and those always photograph better than static poses.

For traditional standing poses, angle your bodies slightly toward each other rather than both facing straight at the camera. It’s more flattering and looks less like a driver’s license photo. And for the love of everything, relax your shoulders. Everyone tenses up and it shows.

Common poses that actually work

The forehead touch is classic and sweet without being overly cutesy. Walking hand in hand either toward or away from the camera creates movement and feels natural. Sitting together on steps or a bench gives you something to do with your bodies and creates different levels which is visually interesting.

Piggyback rides are fun if that matches your personality. Dipping kisses look dramatic but can feel forced if that’s not your style. The key is choosing poses that feel authentic to your relationship rather than copying what you saw on Pinterest.

Editing and filters and all that stuff

Okay so you’ve got your photos and now you need to pick one and probably edit it. Light editing is fine and honestly recommended. Adjust the brightness, maybe bump up the contrast a bit, crop it so you’re nicely framed.

But please don’t over-filter your save the date photo. I’ve seen couples apply so many filters they don’t even look like themselves anymore and then guests don’t recognize them at the actual wedding which is just weird. Keep it natural.

If you’re using a phone app for editing, VSCO and Snapseed are both good options. Lightroom if you want more control. Just watch out for over-saturating colors or smoothing your skin so much you look plastic.

Black and white vs color

Black and white photos are timeless and elegant but they can also feel formal or serious. If your wedding is fun and colorful, a black and white save the date might send the wrong message. Color photos show more personality and give you more flexibility with your stationery design.

Sometimes a photo that looks kinda meh in color becomes stunning in black and white because it’s all about composition and contrast at that point. Try both and see which feels right for your vibe.

Technical stuff you actually need to know

Resolution matters. Your photo needs to be high enough quality to print clearly. Aim for at least 300 DPI at the size you’ll be printing. A photo that looks great on your phone screen might look pixelated when printed on a 5×7 card.

If you’re working with a stationery designer (hi that’s me), they’ll tell you the exact dimensions and file format they need. Usually it’s a high-resolution JPG or PNG. Don’t send them a screenshot or a heavily compressed image from social media because it won’t print well.

Vertical photos work better for most save the date layouts than horizontal ones but it depends on your design. Ask your designer before your photo shoot if possible so you know which orientation to prioritize.

What if you hate being photographed

Some people just really don’t like having their photo taken and that’s totally valid. You have options though.

You could do a photo of just your hands with your rings. Or a photo from behind showing you both looking at a sunset or landscape. Silhouette photos can be romantic and avoid the whole face situation. Some couples use photos of meaningful objects like their dog or their favorite spot instead of themselves.

There’s also the option of using an illustration instead of a photo. You can hire an artist to create a custom portrait based on a photo you provide. It’s different and can be really charming if that matches your wedding style.

Timing your photo shoot with the seasons

If your wedding is in fall and you’re sending save the dates in winter, do you do a winter photo shoot or wait for fall colors? Honestly it doesn’t matter as much as people think. Your save the date doesn’t need to match the exact season of your wedding.

That said, seasonal photos can be gorgeous. Fall leaves, spring flowers, winter snow, summer sunshine. They all create different moods. Just make sure you’re dressed appropriately because nobody wants to see you shivering in a sundress during a winter shoot or sweating through formal wear in August.

Weather considerations

Have a backup plan for outdoor shoots because weather is unpredictable. Light rain can actually create moody romantic photos if you have umbrellas and don’t mind getting a bit wet. But heavy rain or extreme heat probably means rescheduling.

Overcast days are actually ideal for photos because the clouds act like a giant softbox and create even lighting without harsh shadows. Don’t cancel your shoot just because it’s cloudy.

Including pets or not

If your dog or cat is gonna be in the wedding, including them in your save the date photo is adorable. But pets are unpredictable and getting a good photo with them might require patience and treats and possibly a professional who knows how to work with animals.

I’ve watched couples spend two hours trying to get their dog to sit still for one decent photo and it’s… a lot. Sometimes it works out great and you get that perfect shot. Other times you end up with 300 photos of a blurry dog and two frustrated humans. Just know what you’re getting into.

The actual selection process

You’re gonna have multiple photos to choose from and this is where couples sometimes spiral. Get opinions from a few trusted people but don’t crowdsource this decision to everyone you know because you’ll get too many conflicting opinions.

Look for photos where you both look good, not just one of you. Check that eyes are open, smiles look genuine, and nothing weird is happening in the background. Zoom in and check details because sometimes there’s a stain or wrinkle or unflattering angle you didn’t notice at first glance.

The photo should represent you as a couple. If you’re goofy and fun, a super serious formal photo might not feel right even if it’s technically perfect. If you’re more reserved and classic, a wild candid might not match your style. Trust your gut on which photo feels most like you.

Working with your stationery designer

Once you’ve selected your photo, you’ll work with whoever is designing your save the dates to incorporate it into the layout. Some designs feature the photo prominently while others use it more subtly.

Be open to your designer’s suggestions about cropping or placement. Sometimes what you think is the best crop isn’t what works best for the overall design. They’re looking at composition and balance and all the design elements together, not just the photo in isolation.

If you’re DIYing your save the dates using a template from somewhere like Minted or Etsy, make sure your photo fits the template’s dimensions. You might need to crop it differently than you originally planned and that’s okay. Just make sure the important parts (like your faces) aren’t cut off.

Multiple photos or just one

Some save the date designs allow for multiple photos which gives you more flexibility. You could show different sides of your relationship or include photos from different locations or seasons. But one strong photo is better than three mediocre ones, so don’t feel like you need to use multiple images just because the template allows it.

If you do use multiple photos, they should feel cohesive. Similar editing style, complementary color palettes, consistent vibe. Random photos that don’t relate to each other just look scattered and confusing.