This surprise proposal was such a roller coaster! A last minute passport mixup almost got in the way of Jake and Megan’s trip to Paris where he was planning to propose. Luckily, it was all sorted in a few days and the surprise proposal went off without a hitch.
So how do you plan a surprise proposal in front of the Eiffel Tower?
Well the first step is getting in touch with a photographer in Paris that knows a thing or two about planning surprise proposals (hey there, I’m Lisa!) If you want a “complete surprise”, as I like to call it, then we’ll agree on a time and place to meet by the Eiffel Tower, where you will pop the big question. Jake contacted me before his trip to make sure that he would have plenty of time to figure out all the details and his cover story 🙂
The Time & Location
The location seems like a no brainer here: the Eiffel Tower, right? Well, if you want a spot that won’t be photobombed by tourists and keychain vendors, you can’t pick any old location. I have a few great spots that I love to go to for extra privacy for your special moment.
Jake proposed in one of my favorites: the riverbank right across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, first thing in the morning. It’s very private at that hour, so you don’t have to worry about other people staring while you have your special moment.
As for the time, I recommend doing the surprise proposal early in the morning to avoid all the crowds and get the best light. Even if your photo session includes some champagne to celebrate the proposal, you’re in Paris, so why not get a little tipsy to start your day?
What to wear for your surprise proposal
This is a tricky one. On the one hand, you don’t want to give your plan away by suggesting dressing up for no reason and walking by the Eiffel Tower. On the other hand, most people will want to look their best for their proposal and engagement photos, so you do need to come up with a story.
You have a couple of options here:
- You can have a close friend or family member suggest a photo shoot in Paris as an absolute must for your trip. That way, your significant other will dress up without suspecting anything.
- If you’re going for the “complete surprise proposal”, you’ll need to convince them to pack and wear their best outfit. You can say that you’re going to a fancy restaurant with a dress code and it’s close to the Eiffel Tower.
The second option is exactly what Jake did. He told Megan that he had reserved a fancy brunch for them (they do early brunches a lot back home, so it wasn’t a very suspicious suggestion for her). It’s Paris, so there’s even a dress code for brunch places. When they walked past the Eiffel Tower, he suggested that they take off their coats to get a few photos in front of the landmark. That’s when he snapped a photo, got do
What happens after the proposal?
After the shock, tears of joy, kisses and ring-oggling, you just let me know when you’re ready for me to introduce myself and I come out of the woodwork.
I loved that I even caught that moment when Jake pointed me out to Megan.
After his proposal, we made our way to Trocadero where we had an impromptu engagement session in front of the Eiffel Tower.
My secret for photographing a surprise proposal
Here’s a funny thing I’ve learned from photographing these “paparazzi” proposals: it’s best to stand slightly behind the person being proposed to. Otherwise, they get very aware of the lady with the camera taking photos of them!
From back there, I still have a clear view of the moment, and the surprise stays a surprise right up until the question.
Planning your own Eiffel Tower surprise proposal
If Jake and Megan’s story has you dreaming, here’s how I’d start planning yours:
- Get in touch early. Tell me your dates and your idea, and we’ll plan the spot, the time and your cover story together.
- Pick a quiet spot and go early. The riverbank across from the tower in the morning is private, and the light is soft.
- Plan your cover story. A fancy brunch worked for Jake. A friend suggesting a photo shoot works too.
- Agree on a signal. We’ll decide where and when you’ll pop the question, so I’m in position before you get down on one knee.
- Plan the celebration. Bring champagne, keep going with photos at Trocadéro, and book a restaurant with a view of the Eiffel Tower for later.
Want more ideas for spots and timing? Here’s everything you need to know about working with an Eiffel Tower proposal photographer.
Eiffel Tower surprise proposal FAQ
One of my favorites is the riverbank across the Seine from the tower, early in the morning. It’s quiet and private, so you can have your moment without a crowd watching. Trocadéro has the classic view, but it’s much busier.
Early morning. The light is soft, the crowds haven’t arrived yet and you have most of the view to yourselves. You can celebrate with champagne right after.
Give them a reason to dress up, like a fancy brunch or dinner with a dress code near the Eiffel Tower. You can also have a friend suggest a photo shoot in Paris as a must for your trip.
I stay at a distance and stand slightly behind the person being proposed to, so they don’t spot the camera. Once you’re ready, I come over to say congratulations and we keep going with photos.
