How to Propose in Paris (Ideas + Romantic Places)
Planning to propose in Paris? Congratulations!! We are so so so very excited for you. Paris is the city of love and one of the best places to have a romantic surprise proposal. (For map, please scroll down!)
Let us help make this easy. For starters, the perfect proposal isn't cookie cutter, it isn't one size fits all, the perfect proposal is what is meaningful to YOU and your partner. This blog post is perfect if you're planning to propose in Paris and want some great ideas for the intimate and romantic couple AND if you want to plan your proposal with us, during a photo shoot.
We are professional paris photographers after all. We've done this a lot over the last decade and each proposal has been so memorable in its own beautiful way. We aren't a paris proposal planner, we are a Paris Engagement Photographer, BUT we can help with logistics of it all. Truthfully, most of our clients love the intimate vibe so I'm really going to focus on that. They don't need fireworks or a flaming "marry me" sign.
It's not about the show, it's about the feeling, the moments, the words...
3 Ways to Propose in Paris and Document it:
The Paparazzi Proposal
The Photoshoot Proposal
The Private Proposal
Let’s break this down:The Paparazzi Proposal
Surprise Paris Proposal at the Trocadéro, Proposal Photographer Katie Donnelly Photography
The Paparazzi Proposal:
Propose during a surprise photo session, BUT your future fiancé has no idea we'll be taking photos until after you pop the question! We follow you around like a hidden paparazzi. It's a really nice moment and right afterwards you have an engagement session!
Pro tip: The best "excuse" to make sure your partner is camera-ready is to tell them that you're headed to a nice lunch.Proposal Photoshoot*** (most popular):
Tell your future-fiancé about the photo shoot, then propose during it. This is totally the most popular amongst our clients. It makes it way less stressful because you both know you have to be at a meeting spot at a certain time and that they have to look nice!
Pro tip: One of our clients recently gave a photo session to his future fiancé for valentines day and had her choose the spot (photo below) for their spring trip! It was such a great way to get her excited and involved while he did all of the work of organising!
Another client told their future fiancé that they were gifted a Paris photo session at work so she wouldn't get suspicious that he was planning a whole thing!Private Proposal:
Propose on your own, and follow it up with an engagement session. This is definitely an option for couples who are more shy and absolutely don't want ANYONE seeing.
We did an engagement session right after a proposal the other day and it was really sweet because it was THEM! He had decorated their hotel room with flower petals and proposed just the two of them. It was perfect for their couple. Then the next day we met for their engagement session which was in a quiet part of Paris in the morning so it truly felt like we had the city to ourselves. It was personal and intimate and perfect for them. They didn't want to feel like people were watching them so it was good to be able to guide them beforehand for ideal locations especially.
Our client giving his future-fiancé the choice of where her valentines day photo session would be! Such a cute idea!
A Photoshoot Proposal in the Rain!
Your proposal story is your own and YOU get to decide what feels right. Whether you're a really private person and do a romantic proposal your hotel room, or you do it surrounded by family members and a professional photographer.
The Perfect Paris Proposal Spot:
For an intimate proposal we have a few spots in Paris that we always recommend:
The Medici Fountain, inside the Jardin du Luxembourg - in the early morning you have this enchanting orangey sunrise light that seeps through the trees and vines and creates this absolutely spectaular location. It's so very calm in the morning and can be very intimate. If you want even less people around, just next to it is a beautiful walk way with stunning benches where you can get down on bended knee =)
Place Dauphine - A romantic and calm square in the heart of Paris, right next to the iconic Pont Neuf. This iconic square is funnily enough not often crowded, especially in the morning when it's spectacularly calm. For the big moment you'll be surrounded by buildings that look out of a movie set and cobble-stones streets.
The Quai de Seine - The banks of the Seine river is the perfect place for an early morning proposal because no one is there! You have a stunning view from right below the Pont Neuf Bridge, or another option is across the river and beside the Pont des Arts Bridge. Both locations are stunning and a little off the beaten path.
Intimate Proposal in Paris, Location: Place Dauphine
by Paris Proposal Photographer Katie Donnelly photography
Intimate Fall Rainy Proposal in Paris at the Medici Fountain,
Paris Proposal Photographer Katie Donnelly Photography
Intimate Paris Proposal, Quai de Seine
Proposal Photographer in Paris, Katie Donnelly Photography
For an iconic proposal:
We are in the world's most romantic city after all, right? The most popular and debatably most romantic place is the Eiffel Tower. An eiffel tower proposal can happen from so many places though, it's HUGE so you have a few really wonderful views!
Our 3 favorite places with that iconic Eiffel Tower view:
1. The Trocadéro:
This is an epic view of the iron lady and right across the river on the right bank in front of the Eiffel Tower. The special moment will probably have a few onlookers because this is one of the most popular views of the Eiffel Tower and for good reason. It's STUNNING. Really truly a captivating view.
So often when we do proposals here the couple is in their own world anyway. The other day it was POURING for a proposal and it turned out to be one of the most romantic and fun proposals we've ever done. There's no better place in Paris for a public proposal with this view.
2. The Bir Hakeim:
This is one of the most popular places for a paris proposal because the view is truly spectacular AND it's way more calm and quiet than the Trocadéro. The Bir Hakeim bridge has this overlook right in the middle with a full perfect view of the eiffel tower and the Seine river.
3 . The Champs de Mars:
The champ de Mars is the park and lawns that surround the Eiffel Tower. They're quite expansive for a city and can be really beautiful in the summer months. This proposal setting would be ideal only when the trees have leaves on them, so spring/summer/fall. In the winter often the lawns are gated and they tend to do refurbishment. However in the summer it's a beautiful place to picnic, hang out, grab a bottle of champagne and pop the big question.
4. Rue de Buenos-Ayres
This is a gorgeous cobblestone street that leads right into the champ de mars park with an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower. It’s blocked off for pedestrians too! There’s a really cute café on the corner (Castel Café) where you can go and celebrate afterwards with a glass of champagne.
Rue de Buenos-Ayres
Paris Proposal Photographer, Katie Donnelly Photography
Propose at the Trocadéro in Paris, Paris Proposal Photographer Katie Donnelly Photography
Propose at the Pont Bir-Hakeim, Paris Proposal photographer Katie Donnelly Photography
Follow this Map for Where to Propose in Paris:
When is the best time of year to propose in Paris?
Is there really a best time of year to propose? No, there's not a best time of year. Propose when it feels right to you. There's no "best time to come to Paris". Every season has it's ups and downs (though I do love September).
What is the best time of day to Propose in Paris:
There is absolutely a best time of day for a photoshoot proposal and that's first thing in the morning.
You have the city to yourselves, you're fresh for the day and then you get to spend the entire day celebrating, calling friends, sharing the news with family, and simply enjoying the bubble of magic with the love of your life.
Some random Proposal thoughts and advice:
My husbands proposal to me was a DISASTER, he tried so hard to make it meaningful and perfect and in the end, it was, because we laughed a lot and have a good story to tell.
The proposal is just another step in a lifetime of important moments together as a couple. Don't let this become so stressful that you're dreading it.
Being a proposal photographer in Paris, we've seen and heard truly wonderful stories. It's a moment of magic. We feel honored each time we get to document such intimate and life changing moments like these.
My best proposal advice would be to enjoy the moment and keep it simple.
Prepare something to say, write a few things down - joyful memories you've had together, hopes and dreams for your future.. those are the things that stick with you for the rest of your life. This moment is fully about YOU, and while Paris is the perfect backdrop for a proposal, it's simply that... the background, you're the main show.
Want more info? Get in touch with us to schedule your Paris proposal photo session.
Why chose us as your Paris Photographer? Well for one, we were voted best portrait photographer in Paris.
In addition, we focus on creating a wonderful stress-free experience, joyful and natural photographs that you'll LOVE, and beautiful museum quality artwork for your home so you can relive the moment every day for decades and decades to come.
Intimate Winter Proposal at the Medici Fountain in Paris,
Paris Proposal Photographer Katie Donnelly Photography