So, you’ve decided to pop the question in the City of Love. First of all, congratulations! This is such an exciting moment, and you couldn’t choose a better backdrop for it. Now, it’s a matter of figuring out all the little details so you can have your perfect moment. If you could use a little help, I have you covered! I am an English-speaking American wedding photographer in France, and I adore working with overseas couples so they can have the experience they have been dreaming about. If you could use a guide, here are a few things to know ahead of your Paris proposal.
4 Things to Consider for Your Surprise Paris Proposal
When to Propose in Paris
The very first step in planning your surprise Paris proposal is to decide on the date. If you could use some help narrowing down the options, let’s first discuss the forecast. Paris temperatures typically stay pretty mild. January is the coldest, with temps averaging 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, July and August tend to stick around 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Even in the warmer seasons, it can get fairly chilly some days, and it can be hard to predict just what to expect. I personally have a special love for December proposals when the entire city is donned with festive holiday decorations, but truly, there’s never a bad season for your Paris proposal!
When it comes to the time for your proposal, you have several options. In the mornings, you have the advantage of avoiding all the tourists. We are one of the most visited cities in the globe, and it can get pretty congested here as the day goes on. At the same time, it might look a little suspicious if you ask your partner to get up early looking picture-ready. While you might have to dodge some people for a late afternoon proposal, you can always have the excuse of heading to dinner.
A Backup Plan for Weather
A lot of people want to use the Paris skyline as the backdrop for their proposal. If this is the case, be prepared for some rain. Most tourists don’t realize that Paris can be quite rainy pretty much year-round. I personally find a rainy proposal to be exceptionally romantic, but I understand not everyone wants to stand around while getting wet. If you fall into this category, be sure to scout out indoor locations ahead of time so you can have a backup plan if the clouds roll in.
Don’t Forget The Ring!
First, of course, is the engagement ring. Most couples love to share their commitment to marry with the presentation of a diamond ring. Each couple has their style, and maybe you’ve already gotten and idea from your significant other as to the type of ring they prefer. If you don’t know, or think the surprise will be ruined if you ask, ask a trusted close family member or friend. As your partner will be wearing this ring for the rest of their lives, you want to get this one right!
Chances are, you are constantly thinking about the ring now that you have it. How could you possibly forget it, right? Well, it gets a little trickier when you start to factor in traveling with it in secret. You don’t want to keep it on you since you’ll risk setting off the metal detector, forcing you to empty your pockets in front of your beloved. And, of course, you don’t want it to get lost in transit. I would advise that you place it in a small travel bag you keep on you at all times. You can even wrap it in a piece of clothing to keep it more discreet. I would also suggest getting it insured just in case the unthinkable happens.
Hiring an Amazing Paris Proposal Photographer
Finally, you need an amazing Paris proposal photographer who knows how to document your proposal. Trust me, both you and your partner will want to remember this moment for years! You want someone who matches your style and understands how to be stealthy. With my clients, I will typically arrange a spot ahead of time. I’ll be there waiting, looking inconspicuous.
You can hand me your phone and ask me to take a photo of the two of you (in Paris, this is a common request from tourists, so you won’t have to worry about looking suspicious). I’ll snap the photo, and when I hand back the phone, that’s when the moment happens. You’ll go down on one knee, and I’ll capture the moment with my camera. From there, we will have an impromptu engagement photo session for the next 30 minutes to celebrate!
Gorgeous Locations for Your Surprise Proposal in Paris
Now, it’s time to think about where you want to propose. If you could use some help, here are my favorite spots!
The Eiffel Tower
Av. Gustave Eiffel, 75007 Paris, France
This is going to be the classic spot to pop the question! I personally suggest finding a Paris spot with the Eiffel Tower in the backdrop rather than going into the tower itself for your proposal. . The Seine River tends to be the perfect place. While you are still going to have some tourists in the background, the traffic tends to be a little lighter, plus the atmosphere is positively serene!
Pont Alexandre III
Cours la Reine – Quai d’Orsay – 75008 Paris
Pont Alexandre III is one of the most beautiful bridges in all of Paris. As the sun starts to set and the light shines across the city, it becomes downright transcendent! I adore this spot because it gives you the Eiffel Tower in the background without it being the primary focus. It’s the ideal spot for a surprise proposal!
Passerelle Debilly
Quai Branly – Avenue New York – 75007 Paris
There are a lot of things that make Passerelle Debilly a fabulous Paris spot for a proposal. This footbridge is pedestrian only, getting rid of cars that might otherwise obscure your view. It is located right across from Palais de Tokyo and is exceptionally easy to access. It also gives you one of the very best views of the entire city!
Pont de Bir-Hakeim
Quai Branly – Avenue de New York – 75015 Paris
Pont de Bir-Hakeim is a two-tiered bridge that is perched right in front of the Eiffel Tower. While you can count on gorgeous riverfront views, I would not count on seclusion. As with most spots in Paris, this spot can get extremely congested. If you are willing to fight some crowds, you will be rewarded with a downright dreamy backdrop for your proposal.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Rue de Medicis – Rue de Vaugirard – 75006 Paris
If you want to break away from the traditional Paris proposal backdrop but still want to keep the charm of the city, you might love Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens in English). This garden is located on 25 hectares of land with lush flowers everywhere you turn. In the summer, this space becomes breathtaking with colorful blooms bursting to life! The centerpiece–the Medici Fountain–will be a wonderfully romantic spot to pop the question!
Pont de la Tournelle
Quai de la Tournelle – Rue des Deux Ponts – 75005 Paris
Pont de la Tournelle lets you view the city in a new light. From this location, you can see the back of Notre Dame Cathedral as well as lines of buildings surrounding the river. There are also several balconies lining the bridge where you can pull off and get a magnificent view of the city. When I captured an engagement here, these little balconies served as the perfect spot to wait until my couple approached for the moment.
What to Do Before, During and After Your Proposal
The biggest thing to keep in mind is that you want to remain as “normal” as possible on your Paris surprise proposal day. Even though you’re confident in the outcome, it’s an experience that can cause a lot of anxiety and nervousness. This is normal! You likely have important things you want to say to your loved one, you’re worried you’ll lose the ring, or your words won’t come out the way you’d hoped. Many are worried that proposal won’t turn out to be a surprise afterall.
The good news is, it’s always a surprise, because even if your loved one thinks you may propose in Paris, they have no idea when or where. Even if you think they’ve caught wind that the big moment is happening in Paris, it’s likely they’ve already wondered that themselves–you’re going to Paris! You have the element of surprise still in your favor, because they have no idea when it will happen.
The moment arrives, you take your loved one by the hands, look into their eyes, and you say your words, those words you’ve been wanting to say all day! Your person will be in shock and still not entirely sure of what’s going on as you get on one knee and present the ring.
After you’ve presented the ring, give your loved one time to process this moment that has just happened, one they’ve likely dreamed about for a long time. Some couples love to celebrate with a bottle of champagne, which you can sip together with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
Engaged in Paris!
You’ve done it! You proposed in Paris, and he or she said yes! It’s time to celebrate. A city like Paris, as you can imagine, has some wonderful fine dining options. From restaurants with Eiffel Tower views, to Seine River dinner cruises, the sky’s the limit! Cap off your Paris proposal with a beautiful dinner celebration, wait with excitement for your beautiful proposal images to be ready for you to view and enjoy and cherish these special moments forever!
I Hope This Helps You Plan Your Dream Paris Proposal
Hopefully, this list helps you as you begin to plan your Paris proposal. If you could still use some help, however, just let me know! I adore working with couples so they can have a dreamy moment they’ll want to remember for years to come. Send me a message today if you’d like to get the conversation started!
