We do adore engagement shoots here at Bridal Musings, though 2015 saw us sharing less of them, to make room for more styled shoots, real weddings and planning posts.
And while providing lots of inspiration for your big day is perhaps more important (and a better use of your all-too-precious wedding planning time), we still have a serious penchant for all the chic style, excited romance, and beautiful photography of an engagement session.
Photo by Peter & Veronika via Bridal Musings
A shoot is a great opportunity to get dressed up, celebrate your engagement (pack some Champagne!), show off your personality, style or your hobbies together, and maybe even take a trip.
This year our couples did all of that and then some, from trips to the beach to getaways in their favourite cities, and lazy days to weekend hikes, and they brought (some massively talented) photographers along for the ride.
Prepare for outfit-envy, relationship goals, and bucket list additions, with our Best of Bridal Musings 2015 round-up of our favourite engagement shoots.
So without further ado, in no particular order…
1. Lukas & Lenka
Photo by Peter & Veronika via Bridal Musings
A Champagne picnic in the Slovakian countryside, with a cute pup and super chic style, it's easy to see why Lukas and Lenka’s engagement shoot by Peter & Veronika is one of our favourites.
Expect major style swooning and seriously dreamy photography.
2. Gemma & Tom
Photo by Natasha Hurley Photography via Bridal Musings
Our real bride and groom got married! Last year we followed Gemma's Real Bride Diary every step of the way, so it was a real treat to get to see her and Tom's gorgeous engagement shoot with Natasha Hurley Photography.
With an engagement that started with a picnic proposal, it was only fitting that this sweet pair returned to the English countryside for their insanely romantic shoot.
3. Allison & Cody
Teresa Carnuccio of In Love In Italy Photography via Bridal Musings
Italian engagement shoots were a bit of a theme this year, and Allison and Cody's Rome photo session with Teresa Carnuccio of In Love In Italy Photography kicked it all off.
Elegant style, epic backdrops, and a lot of passion; this shoot is all about the romance.
4. Chloe & Andrew
Photo by Olive Photography via Bridal Musings
Perhaps the most adorable engagement shoot this year, we were pretty smitten with Chloe and Andrew’s session at home with Anastasia Giaouris of Olive Photography.
Candid and sweet, this Toronto couple started the day at home in their PJs with an impromptu pillow fight and a morning on the couch. Cue a chic outfit change and some beautiful outdoor portraits to complete the shoot.
5. Taylor & Bryan
Photo by Anna Grace Photography via Bridal Musings
We fell, not only for this couple, but the gorgeous island of St. John in the Caribbean too, with Taylor and Bryan's tropical engagement shoot with Anna Grace Photography.
Fun in the sun was the order of the day in their favourite holiday destination, with bright outfits, Baywatch-esque runs in the sea, and some well deserved R&R in a hammock.
6. Ben & Lindsay
Teresa Carnuccio of In Love In Italy Photography via Bridal Musings
What happens when a model, and a former Bachelorette contestant get engaged? They jet off to Florence of course, for a perfectly romantic engagement shoot.
Ben and Lindsay did just that, with their super chic Italian shoot with Teresa Carnuccio of In Love In Italy Photography. Look out for Lindsay's ‘something turquoise' Brian Atwood heels – they're pretty gorgeous!
7. Fabienne & Fabio
Photo by Stefano Santucci via Bridal Musings
We went back to Florence with Fabienne and Fabio, and their cool engagement shoot with Stefano Santucci.
With an urban backdrop, we joined them sightseeing, hanging out, and taking snaps in the historic Italian city. If you want a relaxed, candid engagement shoot, this is one to be inspired by.
8. Kyle & Mikaela
Photo by J Tobiason Photography via Bridal Musings
Backdrops don't get much more epic than Kyle and Mikaela's Pacific Northwest engagement shoot with J Tobiason Photography.
This adventurous pair, unwavered by bleak weather, hiked up to Rattlesnake Ridge in Oregon (flower crown in hand!) for a photoshoot with a difference. You really need to check this one out!
9. Cindy & Hemming
Photo by Stefano Santucci Studio via Bridal Musings
Our final trip to Italy, Cindy and Hemming's Venice engagement shoot by Stefano Santucci had us Googling gondola rides and pricing flights and hotels within moments of clapping eyes on it.
A dreamy day spent sight-seeing in the iconic city, this shoot is the one for wander lusters and hopeless romantics alike.
10. Julie & Seth
Photo by Lauren Love Photography via Bridal Musings
And last, but certainly not least, we wrap up our round-up with Julie and Seth's sweet rustic engagement shoot with Lauren Love Photography.
Not only did we fall hard for their effortless, simple, and beautiful engagement shoot, but it was their insanely romantic, movie-worthy woodland proposal that left us officially head over heels for this pair.
Photo by Lauren Love Photography via Bridal Musings
Oh my, so many gorgeous engagement shoots to leave you thoroughly inspired for your own.
Which one is your favourite?
Don't forget to read our post on 25 Non-Cheesy Engagement Poses, to ensure you make the absolute most of your time in front of the lens! And photographers, we'd love to share some more diverse engagement shoots in 2016, so please do send them our way!
Check out the rest of our Best of Bridal Musings 2015 round-ups.
