Are you looking for the perfect fall engagement photo outfit? How about one that doesn’t break the bank? In this post, I set out to find 3 fashionable and affordable looks for fall engagement photos that ring in under $100.
As a bonus, I’ll also share with you 3 stocks you can invest in with the excess funds. You really can have it all: 1 cute outfit and 1 share of stock for only $100!
Option #1
Cozy Casual Sweater for Fall Engagement Photos
Why I love this outfit for fall engagement photos: If you want to be cozy while taking engagement photos, then look no further! The neutral-colored lightweight sweater will make you want to snuggle up next to your partner and shows beautifully in photos. Paired with tall boots and skinny jeans, a neutral-toned sweater creates a timeless fall look that will never go out of style.
Waffle knit top with soft chiffon trim – $14
Skinny jeans – $23
Gray Boots – $46
Total cost of this outfit = $83
Stock Investment: Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HSC)
If you were to choose the above outfit, you would have spent $83, leaving just $17 to invest in stock. Luckily, I know just the perfect stock: Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (ticker: HSC).
Why I love Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HSC) as an investment option: Host Hotels & Resorts owns 72 properties in the U.S. and 5 properties internationally, and is considered the largest lodging real estate investment trust. According to the company’s 10K report, its largest asset is property and equipment. As I discussed in a previous post, How to Read a Balance Sheet, property and equipment (namely buildings and land) are recorded at cost on a balance sheet. The fair value of the assets could be substantially more.
Moreover, the company has a fairly low P/B ratio of 1.67. The company’s trailing 12 months P/E ratio is also a very reasonable 15.29. The company also pays dividends; the annualized dividend yield is 3.74% or $0.60/share.
Cost to purchase 1 share of stock = $16.05 (price as of 9/10/23)
As always, it’s important to conduct your own research prior to investment. Please review our Investment Disclaimer Policy for more information.
Option #2
Flattering Cranberry Red Top and Flare Jeans for Fall Engagement Photos
Why I love this outfit for fall engagement photos: If you’re planning a moody-toned, romantic wedding then this is the perfect outfit for your fall engagement photos. So often you see brides-to-be wearing light colors (primarily white), but I LOVE the darker, melancholy shots that this outfit lends itself to. It also portrays a playfulness with the tie waist flare jeans, which balances out the darker-colored top.
Square neck cranberry-colored bodysuit – $17
Taupe heeled booties – $28
Flare jeans with tie waist detail – $22
Total cost of this outfit = $67
Stock Investment: The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC)
So, did you choose this outfit? If you did, you’d have about $33 left to invest in stock. One stock you could buy is The Kraft Heinz Company (ticker: KHC).
Why I love The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) as an investment option: I don’t know about you, but I’m completely obsessed with Heinz ketchup! Although that might not be reason enough to invest in this company, there’s a whole heck of a lot more to love when it comes to KHC. For starters, the company pays a healthy annualized dividend of 4.85%, or $1.60/share. The company also sports a trailing 12 month P/E ratio of 12.88 and a P/B of 0.83. Debt is fairly low with a Total Debt/Capital ratio of 25%. Moreover, the company has achieved positive earnings for every quarter over the past 2 years.
In addition, if you’re to look at the balance sheet (refer to the 10K report), you’ll notice most of the company’s assets are intangibles. This is in line with what you’d expect, since intangibles consist of intellectual property associated with recipes and food brands. Now, if you turn to the company’s income statement, you’ll notice the company’s net income jumped from $356 million in 2020 to $1.0 billion in 2021 to almost $2.4 billion in 2022. That’s in large part because the company recognized significant goodwill and intangible impairment losses in 2020, driving down net income. As an investor, I love to see that management is writing down assets in the normal course of operations in line with GAAP.
Cost to purchase 1 share of stock = $32.96 (price as of 9/10/23)
As always, it’s important to conduct your own research prior to investment. Please review our Investment Disclaimer Policy for more information.
Option #3
Formal Satin Dress and Heels Combo for Fall Engagement Photos
Why I love this outfit for fall engagement photos: Looking for an outfit with a bit more glam? Try a satin dress and heels. It’s a classic look! And any bride-to-be will surely feel elegant wearing this formal dress. If your wedding will air on the side of luxury, this engagement outfit says it all.
Dress – $17
Heels – $47
Total cost of this outfit = $64
Stock Investment: International Paper Company (IP)
Did you choose the above outfit? If so, you should have $36 remaining to purchase stock. And boy have I got the stock for you! It’s called International Paper Company (ticker: IP).
Why I love International Paper Company (IP) as an investment option: International Paper Company produces renewable renewable fiber-based packaging and pulp products and operates in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Africa. According to the company’s 10K report, net sales have climbed over the past 3 years from approximately $17.6 million in 2020 to $19.4 million in 2021 to $21.2 million in 2022. Additionally, the company has a large focus on investing in environmental sustainability with estimates to spend $39 million in 2023, $35 million in 2024, and $26 million in 2025.
Using ratio analysis, IP also looks favorable in many aspects. The company trailing 12 month P/E ratio is 8.51 and it’s P/B ratio is 1.39. It does have a bit more debt than the other companies we looked at with a Total Debt/Capital ratio of 45.27%. However, the annualized dividend yield is slightly higher than the other companies at 5.34%, or $1.85/share.
Cost to purchase 1 share of stock = $34.63 (price as of 9/10/23)
As always, it’s important to conduct your own research prior to investment. Please review our Investment Disclaimer Policy for more information.
Which Would You Choose?
Of the 3 options presented, which fall engagement photo outfit and investment combo do you like best? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Other Resources
Want to purchase one of the above stocks, but unsure how to get started investing? Check out my FAQ Page designed specifically to give guidance as relates to investing for beginners.
Also, if you enjoyed this post, check out some of my other stock pick vs. discretionary posts to see alternative uses of funds.
And if you’re in “wedding mode” like me, definitely check out my post detailing all that’s involved in being a bridesmaid.
* Ratios and financial metrics provided by Fidelity as of 9/10/2023, the date this article was written.
* Please review our Investment Disclaimer Policy. The Chic Capitalist is committed to providing independent equity research. At the time of publication, The Chic Capitalist and its affiliates do not own a direct financial interest in the aforementioned stock.