From The Straits Times    |

A lot of couples are now opting to have fun, romantic pictures of themselves casually dressed as part of their wedding album. It’s a nice contrast to the formal bridal portraits, but some of these “casual” pics look way too casual. If not styled properly, couples can look like they just stepped out of the house for a quick bite at the neighborhood hawker centre!

As long as these pictures are going to be part of your wedding album, casual or formal, they have to be a lot nicer and stylish than everyday pics taken with an iPhone.

Here are some tips you can work out with your photographer to ensure you get casual pics with a lot of style.

Add Colour
The white shirt/tee and jeans combo is simply too plain and simple. It’s a good ensemble for close up shots where the focus is on the face but it doesn’t work well for pics that feature more of your clothes.

In order to stand out from your surroundings, and to add a vibrant dose of energy to your pic, dress in a mix of bright and pastel colours. Work with your photog on what are the best colours to stand out from the surroundings of your shoot location; you wouldn’t want to blend into the background!
 

 

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Prints Too!
Printed are a fun and effortless way to add some personality and ‘theme’ to your pictures.

Depending on where you’re shooting, you can opt for abstract prints (urban streets or buildings), soft nature inspired prints (gardens and countryside) to even a mix or patchwork prints ( cosy homely interiors and rustic cafes). Wear a print that complements your figure and suits the environment you’re shooting at.

Add Layers
The best way to wear colours and prints is to layer them. You can add on more colour or prints with layering, or tone down a too- bright hue or complicated print with other pieces of clothing.  If it’s too hot, a cardigan tied round the waist or shoulder is a good styling option.

Layers also adds interest to an outfit and draws the eye to the outfit and the person wearing it. Lightweight layered clothing also creates ‘movement’ for your pictures especially if you’re moving in the shot, or at a place where the wind can “lift” your clothes – dramatic!

Accessories Please
Besides your wedding and engagement bands, add some style to your outfits with strategic accessories. A jaunty straw hat will give a linen resort ensemble a dash of breezy style.

If you prefer to wear monotone hues, slip on some colourful accessories like stacks of bangles or a beautiful printed shawl in jewel hues. A dash of vivid colour will help to draw the eye to you.

Dress Right
Couples dressed in their wedding finery and shot along the beach, or even at an unconventional location like a garage, is still acceptable – think of it as a stylized fashion shoot. But if you’re dressed in your sporty polyester tee and shorts while taking pics at the beach, then that’s a major fashion no-no!

It would be nice if you could dress in outfits that suit the environment of your photo shoot – linen and resort wear for beach locations r suited, tailored looks for urban landscapes. Then you wouldn’t look out of place and out of fashion!

Makeup Please
Casual doesn’t mean no makeup! You still have to look your best if you plan to have these picture in your wedding album. Just don’t go overboard with major false lashes or too smoky eyes – opt for something clean and rosy with just a hint of colour for the lips and cheeks.  Get the makeup artist to do some light touch up for your guy too – concealer for blemishes, gloss for too dry lips and maybe even a brush through the brows to make them darker.

The same goes for your hairstyles. Please avoid ponytails or floppy fringes. Get a stylist to give you flowy hair with lots of movement and texture and just the right volume; we don’t want to have lank hair flopping in the wind or bouffant up-dos that look totally out of place with your casual outfit.

It just looks slightly tousled and messy but still very styled.