There’s nothing more romantic than proposing to the one you love in the city of love, Paris, France. Fabled for its monuments, cobbled streets, ridiculously beautiful cafés and restaurants, fantastic museums, there’s a lot to love! More than anything, I love photographing surprise proposals in Paris. That’s why I was so thrilled to have captured this surprise engagement photoshoot.
Paris in December
December is a great time to come to Paris, if you don’t mind the holiday cheer part–Paris really knows how to decorate the city and there are tons of holiday events. It’s chilly, usually, and rainy. But this year, the December weather had been unusually mild the week Harrison planned to propose to the love of his life, Quincy, in Paris. Normally, high temperatures in Paris around the holidays hover between 35F and 45F, but on this rare day, not only was the temperature near 50F, but the sun was also out, also not usual for December!
The Christmas holidays behind us, the new tourist season had started in the approach to the new year. Tourists were everywhere. Definitely the post-Christmas crowds we’d seen before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Best Proposal Spots in Paris
Harrison and Quincy live in Kansas City, they met at a bar at a gathering of mutual friends, and they hit it off, and have been together, happily, ever since. Harrison wanted to take the opportunity of their visit to Paris during the holiday season to ask Quincy to marry him. He selected an Eiffel Tower view for his proposal, and a location I rarely photograph proposals anymore, Bir Hakeim Bridge.
A couple of years ago, almost all of my surprise proposals took place at the Trocadero area, with a view of the Eiffel Tower across the river, or Bir Hakeim bridge. At the time, the riverside, with great views, was under construction and not accessible for over a year, reducing our Eiffel Tower view options
Now, the Trocadero area has been under renovation for the last two years, with no signs really of finishing anytime soon, and the riverside has been available again for two years. Most of my clients select the riverside location because it’s calm and a bit more private, with an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower.
Therefore, when Harrison selected the bridge called Bir Hakeim (Pont Bir Hakeim), I was a bit surprised. I love the view from this bridge, and the bridge itself, but I know how busy it can get there–downright crazy with people, and I can’t deny I was a little worried.
The Truth About Proposing in Paris
Many people have a romantic notion that as they get on one knee to propose, with the sparkling Eiffel Tower behind them, that there will be no one around, and it will feel like just the two of them in the world. As a professional English speaking Paris surprise proposal photographer, I can tel you that this, unfortunately, is a movie version of Paris, and not reality. Yes, there are some spots that are a bit calmer than others, but you should always prepare for tourists to be all around you, particularly anywhere near the world’s most famous monument, the Eiffel Tower.
The types of proposals I love to photograph are simple, heartfelt and elegant in their own way. They don’t require tons or rose petals, fireworks, big white letters that say M-A-R-R-Y M-E, in other words Paris surprise proposals really don’t require a Hollywood production. Sure, you can hire companies that will create a big production, if that’s your style, go for it!
For me, Paris itself is enough. I wouldn’t need anything but my guy on one knee, lots of hugs and kisses, and of course, a gorgeous ring doesn’t hurt! But, I confess, I’m an introvert, and I don’t want a big fuss pretty much any time. Most of my clients are like that too, they love the thought of proposing with an Eiffel Tower view (or elsewhere), but they want to keep it simple, and personal and most of all, a true surprise.
A Busy Bir Hakeim Bridge
I arrived to Pont Bir Hakeim and felt a wave of panic wash over me. There were people everywhere. More than I’d seen in forever. Taking selfies, group shots, one woman had her cell phone on a tripod and spent a good 15 minutes photographing herself and her beau dancing, with the Eiffel Tower in the back.
Yes, it was a few days before the new year, and yes, this is a popular time to visit Paris, but even I wasn’t prepared for all the people, and I wondered how Harrison would feel upon arriving. And arrive he did, right on time, with a smiling Quincy. He approached me and asked me if I minded taking a photo of the two of them. After all, I was just a tourist with a camera, as far as Quincy knew. Nothing particularly special about me.
Now why would a professional photographer ask a client to give him their cell phone? For one reason only, it’s the only way I’ve found to establish some sort of “zone” so that people don’t walk in front of you when you’re on one knee.
Me taking a photo on my clients’ cell phone, then giving it back, also establishes for my client (who hired me), that hello, this is me, and I’m ready. It also is pretty effective in making sure that no one walks in front of you or tries to push you out of the way so that they can photograph the Eiffel Tower. Because this day was so busy, Harrison had to act quickly, before tourists ruined the moment by walking in between me, who is professionally photographing his proposal, and him being on one knee, asking Quincy to marry him.
Most of my clients really worry that their partner won’t be surprised. Unless you’ve never discussed getting married, of course it won’t be a complete surprise out of nowhere, but I can assure you that even in Paris, your partner doesn’t know where or when, and most of the time, is quite shocked after it happens.
Pure Emotions and Elation
Harrison got on one knee and Quincy was shocked. The pure emotion she felt, her sweet tears, were beautiful and Harrison was super happy. Not only that, all of the tourists around began to cheer as well.
After the proposal, Harrison and Quincy enjoyed a couple of glasses of fine French champagne and two glasses, which I brought with me, and were able to talk and connect about what had just happened over some bubbly.
Afterward, I had the honor of walking around a bit with the newly engaged couple to grab some photos of them to remember this special moment, and also of course, the beautiful ring.
I really didn’t want to say goodbye to Harrison and Quincy, they were just lovely, but they did have dinner plans and I had to go back to my office to edit their beautiful images.
All in all, this was an absolutely perfect surprise proposal in Paris!
Karina Leigh Photography
If you’re looking to capture this precious moment in Paris, the moment where you ask your beloved to spend their ever-after with you, reach out and I’ll give you tons of great tips, ideas and will be there every step of the way!
