Behind the Scenes:
How We Plan a Proposal in Paris

By Nicolas, the proposal expert in Paris | August 29, 2026

In August 2026, a television crew from Das Erste, Germany’s main public television channel, came to Paris to go behind the scenes of a marriage proposal conceived by ApoteoSurprise.

As the founder of ApoteoSurprise, I’m taking you behind the scenes to show you how the shoot unfolded and how I organised Tunahan’s marriage proposal. Tunahan, 24, had travelled from Turkey to Paris to propose to Dilara, 23.

For several weeks, I had been exchanging messages with Tunahan on WhatsApp. At first, he was planning to propose, like many men do, in front of a flower arrangement with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

But after I sent him photos showing what this kind of setup actually looks like (and explained that such installations are, in fact, prohibited by the City of Paris), he changed his mind. He told me he would rather have a short photo shoot near the Eiffel Tower, during which he could surprise Dilara before proposing to her.

Tunahan realised that simply arriving at a flower arrangement for a photo shoot would leave little room for a genuine surprise, and that it would be difficult to create the emotional rollercoaster that is essential to a successful marriage proposal.

He and Dilara meet a photographer on the Champ-de-Mars for a short photo shoot to capture some memories at the end of the day. I suggested 7:30 p.m. to make the most of the natural light and the Eiffel Tower’s evening illumination. The aim was to showcase the couple and the Eiffel Tower while making the most of the setting and the overall atmosphere.

During the photo shoot, a stranger approaches the couple and interrupts what is supposed to be a private moment between them. Of course, this mysterious character is the key element of the surprise: a professional magician with extensive experience in this type of performance, and a master at improvising and adapting to the couple’s reactions.

The scenario allows Tunahan to remain completely natural until the very last moment and focus entirely on what matters most: proposing to Dilara.

The photographer is, in reality, there solely to capture every precious moment of this extraordinary occasion.

I suggested the Place Jacques Rueff, on the Champ-de-Mars side, to Tunahan. The atmosphere there is calm and relaxed, in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle you can experience along the Seine, where most marriage proposals take place.

Yes, organising the perfect marriage proposal means thinking of everything: the location, the timing, the choice of professionals, and so on.

A few weeks earlier, the German television channel had contacted me to produce a feature on ApoteoSurprise and follow me as I organised a marriage proposal. I asked Tunahan whether he would be interested in taking part in the shoot, and he immediately agreed.

Here’s how this marriage proposal unfolded. And if you’re looking for more ideas for planning your own marriage proposal, feel free to explore the ApoteoSurprise blog.

The preparations with the TV crew

TV crew with Nicolas Garreau, founder of ApoteoSurprise, in Paris

At 6:30 p.m., I meet the TV crew to go over the details of the experience.

The journalist, TV presenter, sound engineer and camera operators get ready for the shoot.

I introduce them to Margaux, the photographer, who takes a few behind-the-scenes photos.

I suggested that Tunahan not tell Dilara that a TV crew would be there, firstly so that she wouldn’t suspect that a surprise was in store, and secondly so that she could arrive feeling relaxed, without any preconceived ideas or the stress of knowing she was going to be filmed for television.

Margaux, the journalists and I agreed that, when Dilara arrived with her boyfriend, Margaux would explain that a TV crew was filming a feature about her work as a photographer in Paris.

My interview before the marriage proposal

Nicolas Garreau during a TV interview in Paris

At 6:45 p.m., filming begins. I am interviewed about my work as a marriage proposal planner in Paris, a profession I was the first to specialise in back in 2006, and I explain in detail the scenario I have planned for Tunahan and Dilara.

A few passers-by begin gathering around us, sensing that something magical is about to happen.

✧ Don’t miss this: ApoteoSurprise is the world’s most widely featured marriage proposal planner, with press coverage in more than 135 countries.

The briefing with the magician

At 7 p.m., Adrien, the magician, arrives.

We go over the different stages of his performance and decide exactly when Adrien will suddenly approach the couple and interrupt their photo shoot.

We also show Margaux and the TV crew where to position themselves and which angles to use when photographing and filming the scene. They need to capture every one of Dilara’s emotions while also preserving the magic of the trick: from the wrong angle, for example, the camera could reveal some of Adrien’s secrets.

Everything will happen very quickly: everyone needs to be perfectly positioned and ready to react in a split second so that nothing is missed.

The mysterious envelope

Man holding a blue envelope bearing the name Dilara

At 7:15 p.m., Adrien checks his equipment and shows us a small envelope bearing Dilara’s name.

This envelope is magical! It will set in motion a scenario that will change the lives of these two lovers forever.

The magician’s arrival

Magician in a suit approaching a couple in front of the Eiffel Tower

Dilara and Tunahan arrive as planned at 7:30 p.m. Margaux explains to them that she is being filmed for a German television channel, and the photo shoot begins.

Dilara is completely at ease as she poses for the camera, bathed in the soft golden light of the Parisian evening.

Adrien and I keep our distance.

At 7:37 p.m., we know the time is right. It’s time to make our move. Adrien approaches the couple and interrupts the photo shoot. Just as planned, Dilara seems a little unsettled. Look at that expression on her face — it’s exactly what we were hoping for!

Tunahan, meanwhile, plays his part perfectly and pretends to be completely taken aback...

That’s also what ApoteoSurprise is all about: you’re not simply a man ordering a service online. You become a real part of the scenario, just like in a film, with a role to play to make the surprise absolutely perfect!

Handing the envelope to Dilara

Magician handing an envelope to a young woman on the Champ-de-Mars

Dilara smiles and relaxes as soon as she realises that the envelope is addressed to her. But everything happens so quickly that she has no time to work out whether Adrien is actually there for her or simply a street performer entertaining tourists around the Eiffel Tower.

That’s one of the secrets to a successful marriage proposal: you need to create an initial moment of uncertainty and suspense, so that the moment of relief that follows feels all the more powerful. Without that first stage, the marriage proposal itself, which forms the third and final stage, would have far less impact — take it from me after 20 years of experience!

Dilara is completely drawn into Adrien’s carefully crafted performance and, playing his part like an actor, Tunahan puts on an equally intrigued smile. In reality, he is savouring every second of the moment he has been waiting for.

The mysterious envelope bursts into flames

Magician setting an envelope on fire during a magic trick near the Eiffel Tower

Dilara barely has time to look at the envelope before Adrien swiftly takes it back from her and sets it alight with a lighter.

A large flame suddenly appears, and the envelope disappears!

Dilara has absolutely no idea what is going on.

The red rose appears

Magician presenting a red rose to a young woman accompanied by her partner

The envelope transforms into a red rose. That’s the magic of love!

With a mischievous smile, Adrien makes the flower appear and hands it to Dilara.

A huge smile lights up Tunahan’s face as he watches his girlfriend’s delighted reaction.

The deck of cards appears

Magician spinning a deck of cards on one finger in front of a couple on the Champ-de-Mars

Adrien produces a deck of cards and spins it around on one finger.

Dilara is amused and has completely forgotten about the photographer — exactly what we wanted, so that her reactions during the marriage proposal would be as natural as possible.

The emotional rollercoaster is underway!

Choosing a card

Magician talking to a young woman as a man watches with an amused expression

Adrien, an accomplished and charismatic magician, completely captures Dilara’s attention. He is now in control of the scenario, setting the pace and allowing the couple to simply surrender to the moment.

He asks Dilara to point to a card at random.

The chosen card appears

Eight of diamonds appearing from a deck of cards held between two hands

The card Dilara chose suddenly emerges from the deck. It’s the eight of diamonds.

✧ Don’t miss this: What if your marriage proposal took place in the sky... or even in space? Discover our exclusive marriage proposals.

The card in Dilara’s hand

Magician placing a playing card in a young woman’s palm in Paris

Adrien asks Dilara to hold out her hand and places the card in her palm, with only the back of the card visible.

Dilara has clearly seen that there was nothing written on the face of the card — the eight of diamonds — so she has no idea what is about to happen in the next few seconds...

Discovering the message

Young woman holding a rose and discovering a message written on a playing card in front of the Eiffel Tower

Adrien asks Dilara to turn the card over, then suddenly walks away without her even noticing.

And for good reason: her attention is elsewhere. As she turns the card over, she discovers that a message has appeared!

When Dilara realizes what’s happening

Surprised and smiling young woman discovering a message on a card as her partner faces her

The message Dilara discovers reads: “Dilara, look into my eyes❤️.”

A huge smile lights up her face! Come on, Tunahan — this is the moment to propose!

I always advise men not to write “Will you marry me?” directly on the card. The marriage proposal itself, along with those magic words, should be spoken while looking the woman you love directly in the eyes. It is far more intense, far more powerful and far more romantic. Locking eyes with the person you love just before proposing creates that magical moment when nothing else exists.

The marriage proposal

Marriage proposal on the Champ-de-Mars, man down on one knee in front of his fiancée with the Eiffel Tower in the background

This is the grand finale: Tunahan gets down on one knee and proposes to his princess. She says yes and instantly becomes his fiancée!

All around them, passers-by and tourists, delighted to have witnessed the scene, spontaneously burst into applause.

The light is extraordinary. It is as though the sun itself has set up its own spotlights around the couple. The Eiffel Tower in the background seems to be there just for them. Paris is theirs. Together with the photographer and the TV crew, we capture exactly the image we had been waiting for!

The engagement ring

Man slipping an engagement ring onto his fiancée’s finger as she holds a rose

Tunahan slips the ring onto Dilara’s finger.

She is still holding the rose in her other hand. The moment is pure magic.

Her hand over her mouth

Emotional young woman covering her mouth with one hand and resting her head on her fiancé’s shoulder after a marriage proposal in Paris

Dilara covers her mouth with her right hand — the one now wearing her engagement ring. What a powerful image!

After the “yes,” this is always the first physical reaction I look for when I organise a marriage proposal. It is also what I always tell journalists: when a woman instinctively brings her hand to her mouth, I know the surprise is complete and the emotion is overwhelming. And that’s exactly what happens here!

The emotion and the tears

Smiling newly engaged couple, the young woman holding a rose in front of the Eiffel Tower

Little by little, Dilara begins to take in what has just happened, as tears of happiness and emotion well up in her eyes.

The tears were the second physical reaction I was hoping for. Hand over her mouth + tears in her eyes: mission accomplished!

She rests her head on her fiancé’s shoulder. The two of them are on cloud nine.

Well done, Tunahan! You came to Paris to propose to Dilara — and you’re leaving as a true Prince Charming!

The interview with the newly engaged couple

Newly engaged couple being interviewed by a TV crew on the Champ-de-Mars in Paris

After several emotional minutes, the couple suddenly remember that Margaux, the photographer, is still there. They had almost forgotten about her, but she hasn’t missed a single one of these precious moments!

Tunahan and Dilara pose for a few more photos, then the TV crew steps in to capture their immediate reactions.

As for me, I remain in the background. I have blended in with the passers-by so I can discreetly watch the marriage proposal without Dilara suspecting for a second that I am there. She thinks Tunahan has organised everything himself from Turkey and has no idea that I am the one who came up with and orchestrated the surprise for him.

That’s my job: turning men into Prince Charmings.

Ten minutes after leaving the scene to head back to my office, I receive this message from Tunahan on WhatsApp:

Nicolas,

I don’t even know how to thank you enough.

She said YES! ❤️

Everything was absolutely perfect. The surprise, the magician, the atmosphere, and every little detail came together to create one of the most unforgettable moments of our lives.

Thank you for your professionalism, your kindness, and all the care you put into organizing this incredible experience. We will never forget what you and your team did for us.

Please also pass on our thanks to Adrien, Margaux, and everyone involved.

When you have time, could you please let us know when we can expect to receive the photos, the TV footage (if available), and any other videos from the proposal?

Thank you once again from the bottom of our hearts.

Warm regards,

Tunahan & Dilara

For Tunahan and Dilara to take the time, in such an intense, intimate and deeply emotional moment in their lives, to send me a message like this is an immense reward. It is precisely for moments like these that I have been doing this job since 2006.

Behind every marriage proposal is a story: a man entrusting me with a unique moment in his life, and a woman who, for a few precious minutes, has absolutely no idea what awaits her. It is this emotion and this magic that give everything I do its meaning.

Thank you, Tunahan and Dilara, for allowing me, together with my team and the TV crew, to be part of such an important moment in your story.