Your pre-wedding photoshoot is the beginning of your wedding story — the chapter before the chapter. It’s where excitement meets intimacy, where nerves soften into laughter, and where you both slow down long enough to simply enjoy being together before the wedding day arrives.
And what you wear matters.
Not because fashion is more important than emotion, but because the right outfits help you feel comfortable, confident, and beautifully connected. Your outfits become part of the story — they influence the mood, the colours, the movement, and the overall feeling captured in every frame.
As a pre-wedding photographer in Malta, I’ve guided many couples through this process. This guide will help you choose outfits that not only look amazing on camera but also reflect your personality and complement Malta’s breathtaking scenery.
1. Choose Outfits That Feel Like You
The most meaningful and natural pre-wedding photos happen when you feel like yourselves.
If you’re a romantic couple, flowy dresses, soft tones and delicate fabrics look beautiful.
If you’re playful and adventurous, relaxed, casual clothing may feel more authentic.
If you love minimalism, neutral colours and clean lines offer timeless elegance.
Your pre-wedding session is part of your overall wedding journey — a journey that continues with resources like my Wedding Photography Checklist Malta, which helps you prepare for every step leading up to the big day.
2. Soft, Natural Colours Look Stunning in Malta
Malta’s landscapes are rich with golden limestone, warm sunsets, and blue Mediterranean waters. Neutral and soft colours work beautifully against these backdrops.
Great colour choices include:
- White or cream
- Beige or tan
- Light brown
- Soft blush or rose
- Pastel blue or pastel green
- Sage or dusty olive
These tones photograph warmly in both sunrise and sunset light, giving your images a timeless, cinematic feel.
3. Avoid Loud Patterns and Distractions
Bold prints, heavy logos, and neon colours can distract from your connection. The focus should always be on your expressions, your chemistry, and your story — not on the clothing.
If you do choose a pattern, keep it minimal and soft, such as small florals or subtle textures.
Every detail contributes to how your final photos will look — especially when you consider the editing style behind them. If you’d like to understand how final photos come together, you can also read my Editing vs RAW Photos blog, where I explain why finished photos always look polished and cinematic.
4. Choose Outfits That Allow Movement
Movement creates magic in photography.
The way a dress catches the wind on the cliffs…
The way fabric flows as you walk across golden sand…
The subtle movement that adds life, emotion and softness to a photo…
Flowy dresses, skirts, light shirts, or soft fabrics work beautifully in Malta’s open-air locations, such as Dingli Cliffs, Għajn Tuffieħa, and Golden Bay.
Movement adds storytelling — it turns a moment into a feeling.
5. Coordinate — Don’t Match
You don’t need identical outfits. Instead, aim for coordination through tones and style.
For example:
- If one of you wears white, the other can wear beige or soft olive.
- If one wears a soft pastel dress, the other can choose a complementary shirt in cream or taupe.
- Denim and linen look fantastic together in more casual settings.
Think “together,” not “the same.”
6. Choose Two Outfits for Variety
Most couples choose one elegant outfit and one casual outfit.
This gives you variety in your final gallery and allows your personalities to shine in different moods.
Examples:
- Elegant dress + linen shirt
- Soft pastel gown + smart-casual trousers
- Beachwear + casual summer outfits
- Neutral dress + relaxed jeans-and-button-up combination
Changing outfits helps create a diverse set of images without losing the natural flow of the session.
7. Dress Comfortably — Confidence Shows on Camera
The most beautiful photos happen when you’re comfortable.
When you’re not adjusting your clothes…
Not worrying about tight fabrics…
Not stressing about movement…
Comfort translates directly into genuine expressions.
Your pre-wedding session should feel natural and effortless — not like a photoshoot, but like an experience you’re enjoying together.
8. Think About Location When Choosing Outfits
Malta offers a wide variety of beautiful pre-wedding locations.
Here are some ideas:
- Beaches — barefoot, soft fabrics, light colours
- Cliffs — flowy dresses, earthy tones
- City streets (Mdina, Valletta) — elegant attire, classic styles
- Gardens (Buskett, San Anton) — pastel colours, romantic outfits
- Historic areas — white, beige, or anything timeless
If you’re still choosing your location, you might find inspiration in my guide: How to Choose the Perfect Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Location in Malta.
9. Don’t Forget the Small Details
Accessories matter, but keep them subtle and elegant.
Good details to consider:
- Earrings, bracelets, simple necklaces
- A stylish watch
- Soft makeup that matches your natural look
- Hair that can move freely in the breeze
- Shoes suitable for walking (especially cliffs or beach routes)
Everything should feel effortless and coordinated.
10. Above All — Be Yourselves
Ultimately, your pre-wedding photos should reflect who you are as a couple. Wear something that makes you feel beautiful, connected, and confident.
Your outfits don’t define your love story — they simply enhance the way it’s told.
And your pre-wedding photoshoot is just one part of your journey. Whether you prefer candid moments or softly posed scenes (which I talk about in Candid vs Posed Wedding Photography), your outfits help express the style and emotion you want to capture.
If you want to turn your pre-wedding story into a complete visual experience, consider adding motion to it through Wedding Videography in Malta — where your story comes to life through sound, movement and emotion.
Like what you see?
Let’s talk about your date, your vision, and the moments you never want to forget.