The Best Paris Surprise Proposal Ever

When it comes to unique marriage proposal ideas that touch the heart, we never cease to be amazed by the creativity and passion of our gentlemen (and ladies).

Kevin's Eiffel Tower Proposal concept went something like this: he told Jane that they'd visit an art exhibition at Trocadéro ... and needed to arrive at sunrise in order to beat the crowds.

When they reached the proposal setting (i.e. the art exhibition), they stumbled upon eight easels displaying messages related to "devotion." Kevin and Jane moved from easel to easel ... and Kevin was mindful to stay behind her as they read the promises of devotion together.

The final display then personalized Kevin's promise with a commitment to devote his entire life to making her the happiest woman in the world.

The display concluded with a simple call to action for Jane to turn around. And while she was making sense of the final message of devotion, Kevin confidently stepped back and dropped to his knee.

When Jane turned around, he looked her straight in the eyes and asked her to become his wife.

It was hands-down one of the most romantic Eiffel Tower proposals we've ever witnessed.

But Kevin was not done, yet: he patiently waited on his right knee (for what must have felt like an eternity) for Jane to come to him, then handed her a small bouquet of red roses and a heart-warming love note ... which they read together. Kevin softly embraced Jane as they turned towards the Eiffel Tower.

And since they had a pair of fabulous classical musicians on hand, Kevin asked Jane for their first dance as fiancée and fiancé.

When you travel thousands of miles to propose in Paris like Kevin, you've already demonstrated how madly in love you are ... and how important your partner is to you.

Then again, you only get one shot at making your Paris surprise proposal deeply romantic, unique, and unforgettable. And that's why we compiled a comprehensive list of Paris-specific proposal dos & don'ts (we assume you already checked out our Paris Proposal Insider's Guide).

Let's start with the dos:
Do agree with your Paris photographer on the exact proposal location, starting time, and a signal that you're about to propose.

Do dress to impress—Paris is an elegant city ... so style trumps comfort. Importantly, without giving away the surprise element, come up with a persuasive argument as to why she needs to dress sharp, too.

Do consider hiring an associate to help manage crowds and protect your belongings from theft when you propose at popular locations, such as Trocadéro, Bir-Hakeim, Notre Dame, or the Louvre Museum.

Do send your photographer a WhatsApp message (including a selfie so she recognizes you from a distance) moments before you leave your hotel, and again a final heads-up text shortly before you arrive at the designated proposal spot.

Do discretely try to get her to tie her hair in a bun or pull it back so we can see and capture her reaction as she accepts the ring.

Do take some time to comfort her tightly as you bring your relationship full circle before you get down on your knee.

Do take one big step backward when you're ready to pop the 4-word question.

Do maintain perfect eye contact and mind your posture as you raise the open ring box with both hands and ask her to marry you.

Do stay on your knee until she comes to you to accept the ring.

Do place the ring box on the floor before you put the ring on the finger. Do slide the ring halfway up to her knuckle and pause to look her in the eyes (you can either do so while you're still on a knee or you can stand up first).

Do have a fabulous gameplan for the remainder of the day, including a romantic dinner and possibly a Paris photo shoot while the emotions are precious.

On the day of your Paris surprise proposal, you'll likely feel a combination of heart-stirring jitters, butterflies-inducing love, and near childlike excitement.

You want things to be absolutely perfect for her. Yet, with so many details to keep track of, things can become a little nerve-racking unless you create an unfailing gameplan, including a Marriage Proposal Checklist specific to an Eiffel Tower proposal.

We assume you'll want the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop and propose in plain public view (the best public places to propose in Paris are Trocadéro, Champs de Mars, Alexander III Bridge, Bir-Hakeim Bridge, or along the Seine River).

(This checklist is not for you if you're fortunate to have access to an exclusive Parisian rooftop terrace—such as what you'll find at The Peninsula Paris, Shangri-La Hotel, or Hôtel Raphael—where you and your marriage proposal planner control the environment.)

• The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited monument in the world and, by extension, serves as a super-popular spot for thousands of Paris proposals every year. So if you want to maximize your chances of getting to the best spots before anyone else, then you need to show up right around sunrise. That means shaking your girlfriend out of bed early so she has time to prepare stress-free and ease into one of the most beautiful days of her life.
• Never show up before your official proposal time since your Paris photographer and any other vendors may not be ready, yet. Then again, don't show up late either since your spot will be taken by other couples.
• Charge your cell phone to the max so you can communicate with your vendor team and broadcast the great news to your families after she says "Yes."
• Notify your Paris proposal photographer and vendor team via WhatsApp when you leave your hotel, and again moments before you arrive at the designated proposal spot. Ideally, include a selfie of you both taken in the actual outfits you'll wear for the proposal so they can spot you from a distance. Also, when there are multiple access points to your proposal setting, use Google My Maps to illustrate your path.

• Once you recognize your Paris proposal photographer near the agreed-upon spot, make brief eye contact and (optionally) give a signal that you're about to propose.
• Avoid carrying anything bulky in your pant pockets. Put your phone, wallet, hotel key, and the ring box into your blazer or backpack. In turn, be mindful to not place your backpack into the proposal scene since it may not be easy to remove from your photos.
• We need to see her reaction and capture it on film. So try to discretely have her pull her hair back or into a bun.
• Take your time before, during, and after the Paris surprise proposal.
• Deliver your proposal speech as you gently comfort her and sharpen her senses to what's about to happen.
• When you're ready, take 1-2 steps backward and drop to one knee so the tip of your rear foot touches the ground. Mind your posture and present the open ring box—the ring facing her—with both hands.
• Ask her to marry you while looking her in the eyes and making her feel like the most special woman in the universe. We encourage you to express your true feelings and show vulnerability and emotions.
• Stay on your knee until she comes to you to lift you up.
• You can put the ring on her finger (the fourth finger of the left hand) while you are down on your knee or after you stand up. Importantly, place the ring box on the ground so you have both hands free to slide the ring over her knuckle. Pause to look her in the eyes before you push the ring to the base of the finger.
• Resist the temptation to immediately turn to your Paris photographer after she says "Yes." Instead, take a moment to connect, kiss, dance, twirl, and sweep her off her feet.
• Remember that you need a substantial follow-through after the proposal. It is not enough to just get to "Yes." Consider doing a Paris photoshoot while the emotions are fresh ... or take her straight to brunch, dinner, a massage, shopping ... it's her day and it is your job to make every waking moment special for her.

Now we've come to the don'ts section, which by design is shorter since you'll be so well prepared based on the dos:
Don't ever show up early for a surprise proposal since your photographer may otherwise miss the moment (but still try to be on time).

Don't propose without a ring.

Don't carry anything in your pant pockets (it will look bad in the photos); instead, place your wallet, phone, keys, and the ring box in your sports jacket, blazer, or suit.

Don't ever show up early (since your photographer, musicians, and proposal set-up may not yet be ready), but also do not show up late—notably for an Eiffel Tower proposal ... where things can get crowded fast.

Don't forget to bring a pair of comfy shoes for her if you plan to continue with a Paris photoshoot.

Don't immediately turn to your photographer after she accepts the ring. Instead, take your time to connect and enjoy your first steps as fiancés ... and consider playing some pre-recorded well-wishes from her dad and family (or call your families to announce the great news).

A marriage proposal planner will save you time, eliminate stress, facilitate communication with local vendors, inspire creative proposal ideas, and above all help you pull off that surprise proposal you always wanted.

In particular, when you're considering a destination proposal (such as Kevin's Paris surprise proposal at the Eiffel Tower), it's priceless to have an experienced and committed professional who can put together all the pieces for you.

Your marriage proposal planner will typically have a curated list of vetted vendors, and might even help you gain access to celebrity performers, exclusive venues, a helicopter, vintage car, yacht, and other concierge services.

Above all, you're investing in peace of mind—do you really want to be texting with a musician or florist moments before you pop the question?

My approach to planning marriage proposals starts with a phone or Skype consultation; thereafter, depending on the scope of your proposal, we'll frequently communicate via WhatsApp.

I want to get to know you, understand your relationship, and learn as much as possible about your partner ... after all, the proposal is really about her and not you, right? You know your partner best, though ... so any creative marriage proposal ideas start with your vision. I'll then help you finetune, personalize, and execute things flawlessly.

Here are some of the marriage proposal trends I'm seeing: gentlemen are investing a lot more time, love and resources into the proposal—it's more and more about the WOW factor, chivalry, and effort! It's no longer just about hiring a photographer and getting down on one knee.

Gentlemen appreciate that it's about the overall experience, starting before the actual surprise proposal and ending well after you put the ring on her finger.

Today, we're seeing what I call multi-layered proposal concepts that affect her five senses, build anticipation, and create unforgettable moments that just keep building organically and crescendo in her saying "Yes." As such, you'll keep her guessing even if she may suspect that a proposal is coming.

Consider a proposal treasure hunt of sorts, personalized settings, destination proposals, classical musicians, a day-after massage, hand-written love notes, caricaturist, incorporating her kid or pet, candles, ... Make sure to hire a talented and discrete videographer and photographer.

And, of course, when you're ready to pull off your own Paris surprise proposal and are looking for the best place to propose in Paris, or just want some helpful tips on how to propose, feel free to reach out to me to set up a complimentary consultation.