16 Creative + Gorgeous Summer Engagement Photo Ideas

Kristi Murphy
Jul 06, 2021
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Seeing as it's summer, weddings are on our brains here at Brit + Co. Whether we're talking gifts, backdrops, or dresses, we've got all your bases covered for the big day. But before the wedding planning, it's all about the engagement photos. And with so many ideas out there it can be difficult to decide what idea is right for you. That's why we've curated the best of the best when it comes to creative and gorgeous summer photo shoots.
couple kisses under a fall of rainbow confetti for their portrait

1. Confetti

How about adding a little (or a lot) of color to your shoot? Confetti takes this from basic to fantastic. (via Priscila Valentina / Green Wedding Shoes)

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2. Firefly Light

A trendy bokeh effect reminds us of firefly-filled summer nights (in a very good way). (via Robert Paetz Photography)

3. Glitter

It's no secret that we love some sparkle, but did you know glitter also makes a fun photo prop? Your pics will surely shine bright when some gold is involved. (via Kristi Murphy)

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4. Road Trip Romance

This otherworldly shot inspires dreams of summer road trips. (via Summers Archives)

5. Vintage

The nostalgic vibe of this engagement shoot has us thinking back to our first loves and teenage summer days. Can we go back, please? (via Simply Bloom Photography / Green Wedding Shoes)

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6. Do A Double-Take

Reverse, reverse! Double the romance with a reflective shot like this one. (via Palermo Photo)

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7. Black And White And Lovely All Over

Get ready for a monochrome moment worthy of infinite regrams. (via Cotton And Willson)

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8. High-Flying Fun

An airplane hangar makes an unlikely (but nonetheless striking) backdrop for a romantic snap. (via Elmwood Photography)

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9. Kiss & Ride

Can't you just feel the teenage giddiness in this unique vintage car shoot? (via Chuy Photos)

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10. Ready For A Close-Up

There's something deeply personal and touching about this super zoomed in pic of the soon-to-be married couple. (via Jenna Lauren Photography)

11. Nautical

The nautical color scheme here has us swooning. You don't even need to see their faces to get the sense that these two are head over heels. (via Laura Ivanova Photography)

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12. Sweet Ride

City dwellers will love this quirky cab scene. And so will couples who never stand still. (via Richard B. Flores)

13. Paint War

Have some fun with your betrothed with a paint war engagement session. This looks like such a blast. (via Gabriel Gastelum / Belle the Magazine)

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14. Dreamy Denim

We're low-key obsessed with this custom-made embroidered patch. Something tells us this is going to be a big trend. (via Forever Photography NY)

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15. Make It Pop

Who needs confetti and streamers when you can shower your beau in Champagne? (via Fox Sloane Photo)

16. A Room Full of Balloons

This scene is almost as magical as the couple in it. Even though it might take some time to prep, it's totally worth it. (via Brittany Esther Photography)

Are you planning engagement photos? Follow us on Pinterest for more wedding inspo!

(Additional reporting by Emily Bihl)

This post has been updated.


'Only Murders' Season 5 Is Coming Sooner Than You Think

After only two episodes of Only Murders in the Building season 4, Hulu renewed the series for season 5! I'm so excited that the show breaks a recent pattern of cancelling shows after the third or fourth season, giving us more time with our favorite characters, and I'm not the only one.

"Here we go again… my favorite set family. I’m coming home!" Selena Gomez says in an Instagram post, while the official Only Murders account made their own post, saying, "We had our lawyers call business affairs. Turned the 4 into a 5. #OnlyMurdersInTheBuilding is coming back for Season 5!!"

Here's everything you need to know about Only Murders in the Building season 5, coming to Hulu soon.

What is Only Murders in the Building season 5 about?

Patrick Harbron/Disney

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Plot

We finally got our first details about Only Murders season 5 — and we're going in a direction I totally didn't expect. When Sofia visits Mabel and Charles in the season 4 ending, and asks them to find her missing husband, she's disappointed when they turn her down. And since Téa Leoni just joined the season 5 cast, it looks like she's not taking no for an answer.

“I think she’s the great tease at the end of the finale and a little bit of an intriguing bump forward,” co-creator John Hoffman says in an interview with Deadline. “She’s an extension of the little news report in Episode 9 that Mabel makes note of at the hospital. [Sofia] is the wife of the Dry Cleaning King of Brooklyn, and maybe a couple of dry cleaning outlets in Manhattan, as well, we may come to know...It’s a world opened up potentially that we haven’t talked about too much yet in New York, so she holds a lot of intrigue.”

Patrick Harbron/Hulu

New York's underground is a wild space that we haven't really seen on Only Murders yet so I know we're in for one very interesting season — because if this show is going to go there, they're going to go there.

Executive producer Dan Fogelman told The Wrapwe can look forward to “another big fun mystery the writers have been cooking up," while Hoffman has gone on the record saying the new episodes will “hit on some very current things going on within New York, specifically very relevant things that are happening in the city right now.”

When is Only Murders in the Building season 5 coming out?

Patrick Harbron/Hulu

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Release Date

According to The Wrap, Only Murders is looking to begin production on season 5 in March of 2025. Considering we've had a new season over the last four years (with season 1 in 2021, season 2 in 2022, season 3 in 2023, and season 4 in 2024), we're expecting to see season 5 in 2025. Stay tuned for the official Only Murders in the Building season 5 release date.

Who's in Only Murders in the Building season 5?

Eric McCandless/Disney

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Cast

The cast of Only Murders in the Building includes Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin. Téa Leoni will also return as Sofia Caccimelio, whose husband Nicky has gone missing.

According to Dan Fogelman, “we can expect more big guest stars that’ll probably be announced sooner rather than later,” he tells The Wrap.

Season 3 featured Ashley Park, Paul Rudd, Meryl Streep, and Jesse Williams, while season 4 stars Streep, Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, Kumail Nanjiani, Desmin Borges, Siena Werber, Lilian Rebelo, and Molly Shannon.

"I am so grateful that I have been surrounded by human beings that make me better, challenge me, remind me day after day that every moment is a gift," Selena Gomez says about working with Martin and Short. "That’s my pure joy. I thank god for the era I’m in. It’s been the best yet."

Will there be an Only Murders in the Building season 5?

Patrick Harbron/Hulu

Yes, Only Murders in the Building has been renewed for season 5! On September 4, Variety confirmed the next installment will have 10 episodes, just like the seasons before it. The latest season premiered on Hulu August 27, and will last until October 29 (just in time to try out an Only Murders Halloween costume!)

Just like the season 3 ending set up season 4, we'll have to wait for the October finale to figure out what kind of mayhem Mabel, Oliver, and Charles will get into next season. "We hope you like it!" Selena Gomez says in the Only Murders in the Building account's announcement, while Martin Short adds, "How exciting is that?"

"We're so exciting to be coming back," Steve Martin says. We're excited too!!

Check back here for the latest Only Murders in the Building season 5 news and check out the other new TV shows coming in 2025.

This post has been updated.

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Here's Your First Look At Alec Baldwin's 'Rust,' 4 Years After Its On-Set Tragedy

Alec Baldwin's movie Rust is finally on its way. The western was in production in New Mexico in 2021 when a prop gun loaded with blanks as well as a live round went off, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, hitting writer-director Joel Souza, and resulting in more than one case of involuntary manslaughter. But four years later, the new movie is now entering the final stages of post-production.

Here's the first look at Alec Baldwin's Rust — and everything you need to know about the movie, coming in 2025.

'Rust' is a gritty family drama that connects to the real world.

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The movie's plot feels a bit foreboding and eerie, as it follows a boy named Lucas, who's facing the gallows after he accidentally shoots and kills a man. When his grandfather breaks him out, the two set off on a journey of survival. It definitely sounds like it has the gritty edge of Clint Eastwood's movies, with the beating heart we love to see at the center of 1923.

Rust re-entered production in 2023, and while they attempted to keep as much of Hutchins' work as possible, the movie had to reshoot some scenes when actor Jensen Ackles didn't return. (His role was recast with Josh Hopkins).

While Joel Souza doesn't “expect people to necessarily all agree or understand" with the decision to complete the movie, he tellsVanity Fair that "every fiber of my being just tells me that I can’t let that disappear. It’s not that we’re trying to exploit anything. I want to share her work with the world. I want people to see what she was capable of.”

And in addition to Alec Baldwin, the 'Rust' cast is spectacular.

The Rust cast includes some amazing actors in addition to leading actor Alec Baldwin. Here's a breakdown of who we'll see in the movie:

  • Alec Baldwin stars as Harland Rust, Lucas' outlaw grandfather who breaks him out of jail.
  • Patrick Scott McDermott plays Lucas Hollister, who's left in charge of his brother Jacob after the death of their parents.
  • Josh Hopkins stars as Wood Helm, a U.S. Marshal, who's hunting Lucas.
  • Frances Fisher plays Evelyn Bassett, Lucas and Jacob's aunt who attempts to save Lucas from hanging.
  • Easton Malcolm plays Jacob.
  • Tyler W. Gaisford stars as Dutch Henry Tibbs, part of Wood's hunting party.
  • Jake Busey stars as Drum Parker, another member of Wood's hunting party.
  • Travis Fimmel plays Preacher, a bounty hunter who got his nickname thanks to his familiarity with the Bible.

Here's when you can watch 'Rust.'

We don't have an official update on the Rust release date yet, but VF reports "moviegoers should expect to see it sometime in the months ahead."

Check out 9 Taylor Sheridan Shows To Binge for westerns to watch while you wait for Rust.

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Create Stunning Visuals On The Go With Photoshop's Free New App

Whether your passion is in fashion, music, home decor, or something entirely different, we all love sharing our unique POV on social and with friends. Now, with the new free Photoshop mobile app for iPhone (with Android on the way), editing photos, crafting mood and vision boards for a goal-setting 2025, or simply exploring your creative side with photography and design is so easy and so fun. You can literally use it anywhere!

Check out the new Photoshop mobile app editing and design features!

Adobe Photoshop

We've tinkered with Photoshop’s image editing and design tools, such as layering, masking and the popular Firefly-powered Generative Fill, for work and play and they are just as pro-grade as the desktop version but so simple to use on the go. You can work on the same projects across devices, and access Adobe Stock library of hundreds of thousands of free assets. Not a quote "designer"? The app makes it easy for anyone to explore and create.

Adobe Photoshop

Here are just some of the amazing features:

  • Create unique images and designs by combining, compositing and blending images with tools like selections, layers and masks
  • Remove, recolor, or replace parts of an image with the intuitive Tap Select tool
  • Remove flaws like the Spot Healing Brush to brush away distractions in seconds
  • Use Gen AI tools like Generative Fill and Generative Expand to easily add new elements to designs and quickly edit photos
  • Integrate with creative apps including Adobe Express, Adobe Fresco and Adobe Lightroom
  • Add, replace and create with a vast library of hundreds of thousands of free Adobe Stock assets

Adobe Photoshop

The Generative Fill tool is a total game changer. Remove photo bombers or unwanted distractions from your background to achieve the perfect shot every time. You can also drop Photoshop files into Adobe Express for free to add animations, music, schedule social posts across all major platforms and so much more.

Adobe Photoshop

It's truly our favorite new app of 2025. Download it now and tap into the endless designs that elevate your photos and fuel your passions this year. Happy designing!

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6 New Google Maps Features To Make Your Next National Parks Trip Painless

Visiting ourU.S. National Parks is a must for every nature and adventure lover — a journey through breathtaking landscapes and amazing experiences with the ones you love (including yourself!). For 2025, National Park Week will be observed from Saturday, April 19 through Sunday, April 27, and Google Maps can make navigating them worlds easier. Between integrating more detailed instructions to trailheads and sounding off in response to relevant heat warnings, Google Maps features are the travel buddy you never knew you needed. Plan now and get ready to hit the road for an epic park trip. Read on for all of the features here to guide you through every step of the way!

1. View trails from beginning to end on Google Maps

Image via Google Maps

Trails are easier to discover via Maps. When you search for a trail, you’ll see the entire route displayed, so you can easily find the starting point and the end. Upon searching, you’ll get a preview of the trail with reviews and photos from the Google Maps community. You’ll also be able to see the trail’s difficulty as well as what it’s used for.

2. Detailed Google Maps directions bring you straight to the trailhead or park entrance

Photo by Chris Janda

Spare yourself the confusion of whether the trailhead you parked at is the trailhead you’re supposed to be hiking. Now, when you request walking or cycling directions to a particular trail, Google Maps will direct you right to its beginning.

3. Get informed when there's a heat wave warning

Image via cottonbro studio / PEXELS

When you Google search for information on extreme heat events, the engine will show you details on predicted heat waves, tips on staying cool, and any urgent health concerns associated with hot weather. This feature is helpful for exploring National Parks in particular, so you’re not risking your wellbeing for exploration and fun. These warnings will pop up in a conspicuous space on your screen to eliminate confusion.

4. See how the planet evolved over time with Google Earth's update

Image via Google Earth

Immerse yourself in Earth’s transformative nature using the biggest Google Earth update since 2017, Timelapse. The 4D experience takes you from the Amazon rainforest to the palm oil-rich land of Indonesia to shine a light on our changing planet and its problems and solutions, as well as a handful of beautiful natural phenomena that have unfolded over the past decades.

5. Easily view a National Park destination's can't-miss attractions

Image via Google Maps

With a National Park-related search, you’ll now be able to easily view any notable attractions, campgrounds, visitor centers, and trailheads within your desired park.

6. Go properly off the grid with offline Google Maps features

Image via Anna Alexes / PEXELS

Reliable cell coverage isn’t guaranteed in the great outdoors. To help you responsibly explore parks with clarity, Google Maps brings you offline features. Just tap the "download" button on any park’s Google Maps listing to download it for offline use.

Itching to explore more?

Image via Pixabay / PEXELS

Here are the most popular U.S. National Parks, according to Google*:

  1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  2. Bryce Canyon National Park
  3. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
  4. Kenai Fjords National Park
  5. Rocky Mountain National Park
  6. Acadia National Park
  7. Badlands National Park
  8. Mount Rainier National Park
  9. Carlsbad Caverns National Park
  10. Grand Teton National Park
  11. Crater Lake National Park
  12. Redwood National and State Parks
  13. Olympic National Park
  14. Haleakalā National Park
  15. White Sands National Park
  16. Arches National Park
  17. Sequoia National Park
  18. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
  19. Dry Tortugas National Park
  20. North Cascades National Park
*Determined by National Parks with ratings of 4.5 or higher and more than 1,000 reviews on Google Maps

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Header image via Google Maps

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8 “Old School” Desserts We’re Surprised To Still See In 2025

Some desserts are timeless classics (looking at you, cookies and brownies), while others have truly faded into nostalgia territory. From over-the-top gelatin molds to fruity treats that peaked decades ago, certain sweets just don’t have the same appeal they once did.

If you’ve ever wondered which desserts are clinging to the past (and which ones you should definitely reconsider making in today's age), it’s time to take a deliciously nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Scroll on for 8 "old school" desserts that have lost their sweet charm.

مآمثلي آحد / PEXELS

1. Baked Alaska

This extravagant dessert featuring ice cream encased in cake and meringue was once a total showstopper at fine dining establishments. However, its complexity along with the rise of simpler, more modern frozen desserts has led it to fade from the dessert zeitgeist. It’s also quite tricky to prepare at home yourself, requiring careful timing and a quick broil – all without melting the ice cream inside.

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2. Ambrosia

Ambrosia was a true staple of mid-century American potlucks. It’s essentially a fruit salad mixed with canned mandarin oranges, pineapples, marshmallows, and coconut, often held together with whipped cream or (shudders) mayonnaise. It has fallen out of favor due to its heavy reliance on processed ingredients and a shift toward fresher, less-sugary desserts.

Betty Crocker

3. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Oh, so retro! This buttery cake prepped with caramelized pineapple rings and maraschino cherries on top was wildly popular in the 1950s and ‘60s, but isn’t too hot anymore since most dessert recipes these days tend to rely on less-processed, canned ingredients. At least it looks cool!

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4. Jell-O Salad

As another mid-century favorite, Jell-O salad combined flavored gelatin with a mix of fruits, marshmallows, and sometimes even vegetables like shredded carrots or olives (what the?!). Once an undeniable go-to for dinner parties and church potlucks, it’s now really seen as an oddity due to its artificial flavors, wobbly texture, and unconventional ingredient pairings.

Billie Lentz / Dupe

5. Chess Pie

Chess Pie is a simple (and very sweet) Southern dessert made from eggs, sugar, butter, and vinegar or lemon juice. It also boasts a rich, custard-like filling! While it still has a niche following, it has been overshadowed by trendier, more visually appealing pies like salted caramel or chocolate silk.

Felicity Tai / PEXELS

6. Fruit Cake

There was once a time where you couldn’t go wrong with fruit cake. This holiday staple, oftentimes packed with candied fruits and nuts, has earned a reputation for being overly-dense and cloyingly sweet. It’s also commonly mocked for its long shelf life and dry texture, making it more of a novelty than an actual dessert.

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7. Watergate Salad

A wacky creation of the 1970s, this pastel-green dessert featured pistachio pudding mix, Cool Whip, crushed pineapple, marshmallows, and nuts. Though it was once pretty trendy for the times, its artificial flavors and processed ingredients make it feel super outdated in today’s era of more natural, whole-food desserts.

Markus Spiske / PEXELS

8. Rice Pudding

You don’t see this one too much anymore. While rice pudding was once pretty common, it has become eclipsed by trendier desserts like crème brûlée or mousse. Its soft, slightly mushy texture and simple ingredients may feel too plain for modern dessert lovers seeking more complex flavors and textures.

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