Public proposals under scrutiny in Prague: Rules to know before you put a ring on it

With Valentine’s Day approaching, Prague has seen a rise in companies staging private marriage proposals, often blocking scenic views in the process.

Prague residents and tourists visiting the iconic lookout at Letná Park, which offers sweeping views of the Vltava and Prague's panorama, are increasingly finding their photo sessions obstructed by private romantic shoots, reports iDNES.cz.

These "turnkey engagements" involve decorating popular scenic spots with tables, candles, champagne, and floral arrangements to create elaborate proposal setups.

What does this mean for couples who want to incorporate the city's fairytale ambiance into their special occasion?

The trend involves companies decorating popular scenic spots with tables, candles, champagne, and floral arrangements to create an elaborate atmosphere for marriage proposals.

While these services are marketed heavily to tourists in English and Ukrainian, city officials warn that the practice often bypasses local regulations.

"Even if the event takes place quickly, it limits other visitors," Prague municipality spokesman Vít Hofman told iDNES.cz.

Hofman clarified that while taking photos in a park is perfectly legal, the physical occupation of space constitutes an organized event. "If it concerns restricting the free access of other park visitors, it is subject to our consent," he added.

According to the municipality, no permits have been requested for these specific setups in recent years. This means that any visitor to the park has the right to walk through the "private" area, and the city has the authority to involve police to resolve the unauthorized occupation.

The costs for these private proposals vary significantly. One agency, Prague for Two, offers a basic package starting at approximately 6,000 CZK, with additional fees for string lights or signs. When contacted by a reporter, the company’s founder argued that no permit is necessary because the setups do not constitute "mass events."

However, established Czech event planners disagree. Pavlína Ventrubová, owner of the WE agency, emphasized that her firm always contacts landowners—whether city or private—ensuring the event is legal.

"As an agency, we cannot afford for anyone to interrupt our event during the preparations or the engagement itself," Ventrubová said. Her agency charges roughly CZK 20,000 to ensure all coordination and fees are handled correctly so that couples' special moment goes off without a hitch.

If you plan to pop the question with a staged photo shoot in a historic Prague location, Kristýna Kočová, coordinator of the cultural development organization Kreativní Praha, offers some advice.

"In central city districts, there is usually a separate page on the website dedicated to handling this type of request, as it is a very frequent request."

For example, organizers of flea markets, buskers, and film crews must all pay rental fees to occupy public land in Prague.

Which means if you’re planning to drop to one knee amid a sea of rose petals, signage, or similar fanfare, at Letná lookout or elsewhere, a permit keeps party crashers away, preserves the view for everyone else, and helps you stay on the right side of the law (though police say no one’s been formally cited as of yet).