When a visitor from Texas took his partner to Paris expecting a routine romantic break, the trip ended with a staged proposal overlooking one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. The man had engaged a local proposal planning agency to prepare a scene of white roses and candles near the Eiffel Tower, then asked for his partner’s hand in marriage. The woman accepted with tears and a "yes," according to the couple.
Such orchestrated moments are now a growing business in Paris, often dubbed the "City of Love." Firms that specialise in designing marriage proposals report strong demand, particularly leading up to and on Valentine’s Day, which many call their busiest period of the year.
One Paris-based planner, Les Entremetteuses - translated as The Matchmakers - offered the arrangement used in the Texas visitor’s proposal. Their basic riverbank package is priced from 590 euros ($699.56) for a setup along the Seine that includes "Marry Me" letters, rose petals and candles. Company representatives say that most clients typically spend between 1,500 and 2,000 euros on average, with additional fees for more coveted locations, champagne and more elaborate décor.
At the upper end of the market, Kiss Me in Paris focuses on luxury, creating highly choreographed proposals inside premium hotels, aboard Seine yachts or within French castles. The company’s co-founder and president, Cengiz Ozelsel, said clients may invest up to 100,000 euros for an extended, full-day experience.
"To just be able to, in your social circles, say, 'We got engaged in Paris' is great," Ozelsel said, noting the prestige associated with the location.
Ozelsel and his wife, Chantelle Marie Streete, report that annual bookings have doubled since 2015 as couples increasingly prioritise visually striking, social media-friendly moments. They attribute part of the demand to the influence of social platforms and popular media, including television series that showcase Paris.
Research cited by a French cultural institution and a national pollster found that one in 10 tourists said they chose to visit France after seeing it featured in a film or series; respondents identified the television show "Emily in Paris" as influencing 38% of those decisions. Organisers and planners also say the Paris 2024 Olympics contributed to a post-pandemic uptick by spotlighting the city’s landmarks during a global summer event.
Les Entremetteuses’ founder, Pauline Le Tendre, described the Olympics as providing a post-Covid boost to interest in Paris as a proposal destination. For clients who opt to hire a planner, the service often removes logistical stress. The visitor from Texas described the decision to pay for a planner as simplifying the process: "It was so much easier," he said, comparing it to arranging the moment himself.
The industry’s price spectrum ranges from modest riverbank arrangements to highly custom, luxury productions. The varied offerings reflect different client priorities - whether a relatively simple, romantic scene or a fully choreographed, high-cost event that may span a full day. The euro-to-dollar conversion referenced by agencies in pricing is $1 = 0.8434 euros.
Contextual note - The market for personalised proposal planning in Paris spans multiple service tiers, including smaller package-based experiences and bespoke luxury events, all capitalising on the city's iconic imagery and growing visibility driven by media and major international events.