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Planning an engagement in Paris from another country can feel exciting and intimidating at the same time. You are choosing a city you may not know well, yet you want a proposal that feels personal, well organized, and worthy of the person you love.
Paris proposal planner Chantelle Streete from Kiss Me in Paris
In moments like these, couples often turn to an experienced Paris proposal planner who understands both the emotional weight and the logistical challenges of planning from abroad. Many also look ahead toward the next chapter selecting a trusted luxury wedding planner in Paris who can guide them seamlessly from proposal to wedding.
Few people understand that journey better than Chantelle Streete, founder of Kiss Me in Paris Proposals & Weddings. Since co-founding the business in 2013—originally as a photography and film studio—Chantelle has transformed it into a full-service luxury planning and production agency. She has produced well over 1,200 proposals, weddings, and private celebrations across France, establishing Kiss Me in Paris as a household name among palace hotels, châteaux, and luxury venues throughout the city.
In this interview, Chantelle shares how she built a new career after leaving Wall Street, why experience and local relationships matter so deeply, and what couples should remember when they begin their search for a proposal or wedding planner in Paris.
How did you find your way from finance to proposals in Paris?
After earning my MBA from the Wharton School of Business, I worked in finance on Wall Street from 2004 to 2009, then moved to Miami for several years. Paris entered my life gradually when my partner, Cengiz, launched Kiss Me in Paris in 2013 as a photography and film studio. I began supporting the creative and strategic side of the business from Miami while traveling to Paris frequently for select projects.
By the time I moved to Paris permanently in 2017, I already knew the rhythm of the city and the types of experiences couples were seeking. One pattern appeared repeatedly: people around the world wanted to propose in Paris, but they needed advice, a clear plan, and reassurance that everything would go smoothly.
The phrase “proposal planner” was barely used at the time. I simply answered questions and created concepts as a behind-the-scenes advisor. Over time, it became clear that visitors needed someone on the ground—someone who could connect locations, vendors, logistics, etiquette, and the emotional journey. That is how proposal planning shifted from an informal service into a dedicated agency, which I eventually formalised and now lead.
My earliest projects focused on public proposals along the Seine, at Trocadéro, and at Bir-Hakeim Bridge. Separately, I developed collaborations with The Peninsula Paris. During a site visit, I noticed a small terrace used only for summer dinners. I proposed reserving it for proposals and sent the hotel a concise concept. That terrace—later known as The Secret Table—opened the door to many high-end events and a long-standing partnership with The Peninsula.
The proposal industry in Paris has changed considerably. What keeps Kiss Me in Paris ahead of new competitors?
Experience plays a defining role. We were among the earliest specialists in Paris focusing on proposals, so we’ve already collaborated with a wide range of clients, venues, and creative concepts. Our advice is based on hundreds of real scenarios—not theory.
Our portfolio is another distinction. When people explore our Instagram or website, they see scenes rarely found in this niche: private rooftops with Eiffel Tower views, palace suite buyouts, styled yachts on the Seine, historic châteaux like Vaux-le-Vicomte and Château de Villette, cinemas, art galleries, manicured gardens, and period ballrooms.
We have designed playful concepts involving families and friends, helicopter arrivals, horse-drawn carriage rides through Paris, luxury car transportation, and more. Although many planners now imitate our concepts, the difference is in execution. Our focus is always on the personalised experience—not the copy-and-paste setups found elsewhere.
We also hold something invaluable: access. Because we are willing to explore new ideas, test new formats, and invest time in helping venues envision what’s possible, we’ve cultivated relationships with some of the most prestigious properties in France.
Finally, we consider the entire couple. Many planners focus only on the person proposing, but we ask detailed questions about their partner—their personality, cultural background, comfort with attention, and aesthetic style. Those insights shape everything.
What separates a proposal that looks beautiful from one a couple will remember for life?
You can book a boat on the Seine, add flowers, book a musician and photographer, and get something visually impressive. There’s nothing wrong with that—but if you swapped out the couple, the scene could belong to almost anyone.
Proposals that stay with people are intentional. They feel personal, emotionally aligned, and thoughtful. Maybe the setting nods to how they met. Maybe a handwritten letter appears at the first Eiffel Tower view. Maybe their favourite song plays in a quiet courtyard while relatives watch from afar.
Paris already delivers cinematic views. Our job is to connect those views with details that feel meaningful to them. When that happens, the experience becomes more than a photoshoot—it becomes a story their families share for generations.
Many of your clients are high-profile or request complete discretion. How do you approach privacy?
Discretion is woven into our approach. A proposal is far more personal than a wedding. While we would love to showcase beautiful events for marketing purposes, our clients trust our discretion—and we honour it.
Nothing is shared online until the couple has publicly announced their engagement. In an industry where vendors rush to post content, we are comfortable waiting. For high-profile clients, we offer strict NDAs as part of our contracts for additional peace of mind.
Privacy also guides our vendor selection. Everyone involved—photographers, musicians, captains, florists, makeup artists—receives clear confidentiality expectations. That professionalism is one of the key differences between a luxury team and newcomers using proposals as social media content.
Paris proposal planner Chantelle Streete from Kiss Me in Paris at an Eiffel Tower engagement setup
How do visuals shape the experience for your clients?
Once the celebration ends, photos and film become the way couples relive the moment. The visual artist is not simply a technician; they guide the couple through an intensely emotional experience.
We prepare a detailed brief for all visual teams. They know the schedule, arrival angles, cues (such as when the proposer will drop to one knee), and any musical signals.
At this level of investment, couples expect someone skilled, calm, and emotionally intelligent. A photographer must know when to step back and let emotions breathe—and when to gently guide.
Where permitted—usually at châteaux and venues outside central Paris—we incorporate drone footage for a cinematic, sweeping perspective.
These images and videos later appear everywhere: save-the-dates, wedding websites, guest books, and the reception display. Our Paris photographers and videographers carry significant responsibility to get it right.
Chemistry within the team matters, too. Even talented photographers and filmmakers can clash. We pair artists who respect one another’s space and who adapt easily to client preferences whether that means a discreet approach or a female-led team.
How do you manage events in palace hotels, private suites, historic gardens, and luxury yachts?
Complex events depend on flawless organisation. I often compare my role to producing a film: you have cast, crew, lighting, sound, design, transportation, and a strict timeline. If one element falters, the chain breaks.
For high-end proposals in luxury spaces, we begin with a master timeline and a detailed contact sheet. Every vendor, driver, artist, and staff member knows exactly when and where they are needed.
We also maintain clear communication with venues so their teams trust our process and feel confident recommending us.
On the event day, we arrive early, test routes, check lighting, verify access points, and rehearse cues. That preparation allows us to focus fully on the couple rather than extinguishing last-minute issues.
Is there one proposal that still makes you smile?
One favourite story involves a long-term couple with three children. The proposal had never been formalised—he had asked casually once, and she jokingly told him he would need to “raise the bar.”
Years later, he contacted us with a specific request: a playful, family-centric experience.
We designed a Mission Impossible–inspired adventure. An “agent” delivered clues to their hotel room. They explored Paris, following instructions from violinists, mimes, and motorcyclists. The experience was thrilling yet effortless they forgot a proposal was coming.
The final stop was a boat on the Seine. Under soft rain, with their children and nanny nearby, he finally asked. Everyone was casually dressed, the moment was joyful, and the memory became unforgettable.
What excites you about the future of proposal planning in Paris?
Proposals are becoming experiences not just staged moments. Couples want concepts reflecting who they are, unfolding across hours or even multiple days.
We’re also seeing greater diversity among couples proposing. Designing for different cultures, backgrounds, and identities keeps the work meaningful.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue discovering rooftops, gardens, galleries, and boats and to design experiences that feel culturally rich and deeply personalised. Paris will always be a dream city for proposals and weddings, from intimate elopements to grand château celebrations. My mission is to ensure each couple feels their moment could only have happened here.
