A huge trend right now with engagement sessions is styled shoots. Brides and grooms are realizing how much fun they can have capturing themselves in love, while doing something they love. A fabulous series of engagement photos I found the other day over on Style Me Pretty, showed a couple madly in love while baking. This may sound odd, but the stunning photos by Elizabeth Messina show how much fun you and your man can have cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

Another fabulous session I found was this shoot by Millie Holloman with a sweet vintage theme. All of the fun background items really add a fun playful element to these photos.

A twist on the styled shoot idea is taking your theme to a whole new level and letting a movie inspire your shoot. The next two series, the first by Wildflowers Photography, and the second by Blushing Bride Studio, capture the essence of Disney Pixar’s Up and the wonderfully romantic The Notebook.

Up, up and away!

And some serious romance with The Notebook.

So for all of you Bay Area Brides who are now feeling inspired to incorporate your hobbies and your inner Hollywood starlet into your engagement sessions, I of course, have a few tips for you.

Work with your photographer in advance and let them know the ideas you have for a styled shoot. Some photographers like to try and visualize shots in advance and if you are looking for a certain style or image – say for example the boat scene from The Notebook in the photo above – they will want to research what you are trying to re-create. Also, if you have a wedding planner who has event design as part of their services, check with them to see if they can help style the shoot or even lend you some props. Sometimes us planners have crazy fun things tucked away on our shelves. And if you are going all out, you may want to get your make-up professionally done so that you look absolutely fabulous in these photos.

I was trying to find other fun movie inspired shoots and I was shocked that I couldn’t seem to find a Twilight inspired engagement session. I must not have been looking hard enough! What is your favorite love story? And would you style your engagement shoot after it?