Claire and Tom’s Engagement Session at Arlington Hall + Flippen Park

I met up for Claire and Tom’s engagement session at Arlington Hall located in the heart of Turtle Creek. It was my first time to shoot at this location and it did not disappoint…and neither did the company! Claire and Tom are two of the sweetest people I have met! Claire and Tom’s engagement session was full of laughter and conversation.

I cannot wait for their wedding at Hidden Pines next October! Here are some of my very favorites from Claire and Tom’s engagement session !

About the Claire and Tom…

How did you two meet? We met as most do these days…Tinder! After about 2 days we matched, went on our first date a week later and that was it for the both of us! Almost three years later, and we are both still just as infatuated with the other as we were the day we met.

What was it about your significant other that first attracted you to them? When I first met met him, I was stunned by the soft blue of his eyes and sweet smile. He was so respectful and charismatic, which is great because I was very nervous and not much of a talker! We create such a good balance with each other.

Engagement Story…

In August of 2019, Tom had made a plan to propose a couple weeks later at a Chicago Cubs game with his mom and best friends present. He got a call a week before our trip that his mom, who had been battling cancer for the second time, was about to be transferred to a hospice facility, that her last round of chemo was too much for her body. Immediately, we changed our flights to be there the next day. While we were in Chicago, we talked about it and made the decision to do the proposal there, at his mom’s bedside. Tom had lost his dad several years prior and it was important for his mom to be included in this moment. Tom’s sister-in-law, Liz, lent us her ring and on Thursday August 15th, we shared such an amazing heartfelt moment with his mom, family and each other.

Tom had called his brother after our first date to rave about how amazing it was and his thoughts about me and they played it while he proposed. Unfortunately, she passed the next day but we were so grateful to have been able to have the time and ability to include her in this special day. We decided, that we would also still do the “surprise” engagement at some point when we got back home.

The Surprise Proposal…

We go to the same pumpkin patch every year and I just kept saying ” The pumpkin patch is just such a great opportunity! It’s our favorite tradition!” to which I would get the response that it definitely was not happening at the pumpkin patch. The day comes and we get breakfast, and then he just keeps having me take detours on the way, which was so frustrating, come to find out it was to buy some time. We get to the pumpkin patch and Tom says that we HAVE to go to the corn maze first because he wanted to go in before it got too crowded. So in the maze we go (going left, left, in a circle, left again) until we round a corner and there are two of my best friends and my grandparents standing in front of me. My mouth just dropped to the ground and he got down on one knee. It was the best surprise and there were a many tears shed! Both of these days will hold a permanent place in my heart, and are both just as special as the other.

What has you most excited when you think about your wedding day? I am the most excited to spend the day with our closest friends and family, the people who have been there for us in some of the toughest times in our lives. Each person is so special to us.

Do you have any advice for other couples planning their wedding?Make sure the day is planned around you and your significant other. Ultimately, at the end of the day all that matters is that you two are together and have had the best day of your life. Try not to get too wrapped up in the details, they can drive you crazy!

How was your overall session experience? We had a BLAST at our session. Kimberly made us feel so at ease and comfortable that I don’t think there were any awkward shots and definitely no awkward poses! She scouted some absolutely beautiful locations and we can’t wait to see more and look forward to having her help us preserve all the wonderful memories we will share on our wedding day.

Share something interesting about your significant other! Back in College, Tom was a stand up comedian! I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, but if you know Tom, it makes sense!!

Want even more engagement session inspiration? Check out this blog post!