Dreamy December Surprise Proposal on Pont Alexandre Bridge in Paris

The holidays are so special, and especially in Paris, France. It’s the absolute perfect time to become engaged in the City of Light. That’s why I was so excited to be contacted for this surprise proposal photoshoot. As a Paris engagement photographer, it’s a thrill to work with people from all over the world as they set upon this new and important phase of their life.

A Paris Engagement in December

Is December a good month in Paris for a Paris surprise proposal photoshoot? Absolutely! December can bring many moods of weather in Paris. Usually, Paris around the holidays is cold and windy, with a lot of rain. You never know what the Paris weather gods will throw at you, so having an umbrella along is always a good idea. But that’s not a problem, because surprise proposals in the Paris rain with a clear umbrella is super romantic, and magical even!

A Surprise Proposal in Paris Around Christmastime

man hugs woman from behind at louvre paris

Paris is beautiful all year long, my favorite time of year is in April, when the cherry blossoms bloom. But the holiday period is wonderful, too and so festive! If you’re thinking of coming around Christmas time or just before Christmas, you’ll find the Paris Christmas markets. Have a hot wine, enjoy the lights. Mostly locals are in Paris in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and the week before Christmas there aren’t as many tourists, as people are home celebrating with their families.

Celebrating the New Year in Paris

But when Christmas is over, planes load up for the trip to Paris to celebrate the new year, and the city is quite busy. This makes for a wonderful, festive time. Before you leave for your trip, make sure to check the web site of the Paris Tourist Office to see what’s happening, and also, buy your tickets in advance online if you can (or via your mobile phone app). On average, the Eiffel Tower sees 25,000 visitors a day, but these numbers can swell during the holiday season and it gets very crowded.

man hugs woman in jardin de tuileries paris
newly engaged couple hold hands in paris
newly engaged couple man kisses woman on forehead at louvre in paris
man twirls woman after engagement in paris
newly engaged couple kiss in tuileries gardens in paris

A Gloomy But Beautiful Paris Day on Pont Alexandre III

On this particular December day, we had the typical Paris gloom, but no rain, but lots of wind. Tucker and Nicole met several years ago, and live in the great American city of Boston. Tucker contacted me about his proposal in Paris, and wanting to capture these special moments for them to treasure for the rest of their lives. He selected the most ornate bridge in Paris for his proposal, the Pont Alexandre III.

Featured in many movies and TV shows (like the Netflix show, Emily in Paris) it is the most ornate and beautiful bridge in central Paris, running between the Champs Elysees and the Invalides. It has a distant view of the Eiffel Tower, and as well as being a bridge for people and cars to pass over, it’s also a tourist attraction in its own right.

woman is excited as man proposes in paris with eiffel tower view
woman surprise as man presents diamond ring in paris
woman surprised as man presents diamond engagement ring in paris
woman covers face in shock as man proposes in paris
man puts engagement ring on woman's finger in paris
delighted woman after surprise proposal in paris

Pont Alexandre, A Great Place to Propose in Paris

Tourists stop and linger on the bridge, taking photos, videos, enjoying the view. It’s a grand place for a proposal, but requires a bit of planning. Essentially, my clients just look for me on the bridge, I tell them where I’ll be, and they approach me and ask if I mind taking a photo of them with their cell phone. Tourists do this for each other all the time, so it’s really not that unusual. Given that I’ll have a camera on me as well, it’s quite clear I’m a tourist, or waiting for someone.

newly engaged couple hug after surprise proposal in paris

How Does a Surprise Proposal in Paris Work?

I take the picture, give your phone back to you, and then your loved one forgets all about me. This is where you get on one knee, quick enough so that tourists don’t pass in front of you and spoil your moment, but at this time I’m capturing your proposal for you. I then introduce myself, and we have a mini engagement session for up to 30 minutes. Why just a half hour? I’ve found through my vast experience as a Paris surprise proposal photographer, that it’s just about the right amount of time for a proposal.

It’s not too long, it’s not too short. Even if the person you are proposing to expects that you’ll be proposing in Paris, even if you’ve discussed getting married over and over and over, they never know when and then don’t know exactly where.

The number one fear my clients have is that she is going to know! I have news for you, my friend. If you’re taking her to Paris, she already suspects you may propose in Paris. If that’s worrying to you, then surprise her at home with a proposal she can’t possibly see coming and just fly to Paris to celebrate your engagement.

That said, I’ve never had one single lady in all the years I’ve been a Paris surprise proposal photographer say, I knew it! That woman! She was there to take our picture! They never know, because how could they? And honestly, they’re just not thinking about it. However, a longer, drawn out photo session after your proposal isn’t really ideal. She’s always in a bit of shock and isn’t really present. That’s why it’s better to schedule an engagement session the next day and keep the proposal short.

newly engaged couple kiss on pont alexandre bridge in paris
newly engaged couple photo of engagement ring with view of the eiffel tower
newly engaged couple woman touches mans face with view of eiffel tower
newly engaged couple toast their engagement in paris
newly engaged couple passionately kiss
newly engaged couple toast with champagne with view of eiffel tower
newly engaged couple kiss on the pont alexandre paris
newly engaged couple kiss on bridge with view of eiffel tower in paris

A Magnificent Paris Surprise Proposal in Paris

On this day, Tucker had a magnificent proposal on the bridge, we had a champagne toast, and because the area around Pont Alexandre was under a bit of construction, we took a walk down to Place de la Concorde and the Tuileries Gardens, for a few more photos and so that Tucker and Nicole could enjoy their champagne.

It was so magical, Paris during the holidays, and with a wind swept love story like this, I was in photography heaven!

newly engaged couple enjoy champagne at place de la concorde paris
newly engaged couple laugh and drink champagne place de la concorde paris
man and woman walk hand in hand at place de la concorde in paris
newly engaged couple kiss passionately at place de la concorde paris

Karina Leigh Photography Surprise Proposal Photographer

If you’re planning to propose in Paris, make sure to contact me so that I can help you to live your magic moment, too! Any time of year is great, but wintertime is really special. I look forward to capturing your amazing moment in Paris

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I adore capturing love stories in France! From the grandeur of the most romantic city on earth, Paris, to the colorful and lively seaside city of Nice, to the lavender fields and olive groves of charming Provence, France is filled with stunning beauty. To better understand my approach and my style, have a look at my work, by selecting a category below. Here, you'll get a better idea of how I can tell your love story, too!

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