Asking the love of your life to marry you is a moment you will remember forever.
However, a recent proposition on the banks of the Seine in Paris is likely to be remembered by many more people, including millions of TikTokers, and not necessarily for the right reasons.
A clip posted by 20-year-old exchange student Laura Benincasa shows a man asking a woman to marry him, with the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower in the background.
In an extravagant scene, the man kneels on a white carpet surrounded by candles and white rose petals.
Flanking the couple is a large illuminated sign that reads “MARRY ME”. Behind them, a boat is moored, perhaps to take the lovebirds on a pleasure cruise.
The video, which can be viewed here, is captioned simply “Paris”, alongside a white heart emoji and a sad face emoji.
Since its publication on September 25, it has been viewed 9.5 million times and has racked up 2.2 million likes. The clip was also reposted on the popular Instagram Pubity page, where it garnered an additional 750,000 likes.
Thousands of people left comments on the images. Social media user Oreo_babe wrote, “Thanks to TikTok my expectations are getting higher and higher.”
Another person, Aya, posted: “Oh so this kind of lifestyle exists.”
Ahmads.photography joked, “How can you say you’re rich without saying you’re rich.”
T_l_o_v_e_ appeared a little displeased, commenting, “Awesome. Now the bar is set as high as the Eiffel Tower.”
Muahzxox3 asked, “He did all this and she just stared at him waiting for him to get up. I jump on my man in excitement.”
Skrubnagrom wrote: “This proposal probably cost my annual salary.”
However, not everyone thought the proposal was ambitious. A user called Asphyxiaa wrote, “Or listen to me, keep it low key and peaceful, but memorable. And if you have too much, give it to someone who deserves it.”
Akhanshoots agreed, posting, “I think most prefer a private minimalist proposal.”
Michael._.scott commented, “I can’t imagine the pressure on the girl.”
Some social media users even thought the man might have paid to have the Eiffel Tower lights on just for his big moment.
However, the monument’s official website explains: “Since 2000, the sparks have been lit for 5 minutes every hour every hour after dark until 1am.
“The last sparking period starts at 1am and is a bit different: the golden lighting and the beacon are turned off, leaving only the twinkling lights for 5 minutes.”
Newsweek has contacted Benincasa for comment.
Getty Images
