Where to propose in Rome?

If you are religious then I'd suggest doing it in the Monti church at the top of the Spanish Steps:
http://trinitadeimonti.net

And if you want an outdoor scene then consider the Temple of Asclepius on the little artificial lake here:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Temple+of+Asclepius/@41.9149698,12.4827093,123m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m7!1m4!3m3!1s0x132f60541678ae75:0x7fc0d4978aae690f!2sSpanish+Steps!3b1!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x90aae72f58408967!6m1!1e1

I suggest u propose at an outdoor cafe or at a restaurant indoors. Hve the waiter photograph the proposal perhaps over a prosecco toast or elegant dessert. U are correct about pickpockets or grab n run thiefs are very common in rome. Do not let your guard down ever.
If your hotel has a nice breakfast room that could also be a option .

During my last trip to Rome I was wandering through the Giardino degli Aranci around sunset and watched a gentleman propose; I couldn't imagine a more beautiful setting in Rome, especially with St. Peter's and the Tiber in the background.

wherever it is just let a older couple take the picture ... you know, someone you can out run

Ha Jim I love your thinking.

I like some of the ideas. Just concerned about having someone take pictures. I personally don't care if we have pictures or not. But we all know its not for me!

Hi Wander Fella, Great idea, I'm sure I can make some time. Just send me a ticket and arrange my lodging, nothing too fancy needed, and I'd be happy to take a few shots to capture the moment, vertical shots, horizontal shots, close-ups, whatever you want. Just be sure you tell me what to do if she should exclaim "No way, Wander Fella, are you kidding me?"

Just make sure you include the word "marry" in your proposal speech and that you have her full attention when you do it -- I had TWO proposals where I had to ask for clarification since the defining word wasn't used. (Both were yes answers.) (But no photos on either. )
Bellissimo!!

Giardino degli Aranci (Orange trees garden) on the Aventino.

Hands down.

She can't say "No" there. No way. She'll melt in tears.

Giardino degli Aranci (Orange trees garden) appears to be the general concensus (here and among other places I've read). Are there opportunities for pictures without handing camera to a stranger/thief?

There are some places in Rome that the police are almost always there. The Pantheon (and there are some cafes right there) with the Obelisk, Piaza Navona (althougth it's very crowded at times, Spanish Steps, Lots of young people there at all hours, and there's almost always a police car there. I'm sure they would take a picture for you. Check www.skylinewebcams.com and look at these sights at all hours of the day and night.

Good luck and congratulations,
Mimi

Plenty of opportunities for pictures at the Giardino degli Aranci.

When you ask someone to take a picture with your camera, choose the people carefully.

A nice obese couple will work (they can't run away too fast with your camera). And chances are that obese couple might be a couple of Americans and speak English too.

How about on top of the "Il Vittoriano Monument" also known as the "wedding cake". If it is a nice day the view is wonderful. And you could hand your camera to anyone up there because there is no where to run. You have to take an elevator up and down and there is usually a small line to go back down so no quick escape.

My husband proposed at the Trocadero across from the Eiffel Tower in Paris and just asked a random tourist to take our picture. We have asked others to take our picture on all of our trips and have never had issues in even the biggest tourist spots. One approach is to volunteer to take another group's picture and then they are usually happy to take one of you as well. It is usually pretty easy to pick out other tourist groups. Good luck!

Great idea! I also like the Giardino.

Another vote for Giardino degli Aranci. Just don't get so excited that you forget to have a gander at Santa Sabina next door while you're up there!

Further up the street is the famous keyhole (look for small group of people, one of whom will be hunched over). Also, lots of moms and dads with strollers use the park, so they are good candidates to take the photo.

There is also a small church, Santa Maria Della Pace, near Piazza Navona. It's very popular for weddings and has a beautiful exterior.

Thanks all!

Make sure you remember to come back and post how it all went afterwards!

When are you doing this? There is actually a perfect little spot that is a bit hidden from the tourists but offers such a wonderful view of the Colosseum that I often see Italians having their wedding pictures done there. A friend showed it to me years ago on my first trip to Roma and I have, in turn, shown it to others. It's a big boulder with a view of the Colosseum in the background, tailor made for photo ops, you could pose for a picture with your girl and then pop the question. If you're interested, pm me and I'll try to give you directions or at least show you what it looks like so you can make up your own mind if it works or not.

The Villa & Gardens Borghese is one of the most beautiful places I have been in Rome. It has a park like feel with many green expanses and trees, plus beautiful sculpture and buildings throughout! If you proposed inside the museum I'm sure there would be staff members who could assist! Google the Borghese Gardens to see what I mean!!! Good luck!

I would get someone who works at your hotel or a hotel near the proposal to do it. Offer to pay. They probably wouldn't take your money, though. Or hire a driver and ask the driver. But, like others have said, I have had some of my best vacation photos taken by whoever happened to walk by. Good luck. And if you don't get a photo, you can take one after and rely on your memories.

I think the best spot is the top of the doumo.

Thanks all. I have arrived in Rome. We are showing up and about to wander out. Eat then find some place for some evening sights. Would like to make something happen tonight if I can since tomorrow we have tours booked all day then we leave Rome the next day for Florence.

Thanks for the help.

There are so many great suggestions here I fear adding another one would give too many choices....but Rome is full of too many choices so in the spirit of naming one that hasn't popped up on this thread yet (I LOVE the Borghese Gardens too, there are tons of nice spots there), I'll suggest a spot I always found romantic and it's also a popular backdrop for wedding photos in Rome: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontana_dell%27Acqua_Paola
The fountain and piazza itself is lovely, but the best part is the amazing panoramic view of the city. If someone asked me THERE I'd have no choice but to say yes :)

Also, it's generally a decently populated area so it's not dangerous at night or anything and it's easy enough to find non-thieves (some of the suggestions of who and how to pick are dead on) up here at any time of day or night. Sometimes there's a decent police presence around as well.

Wherever you propose, I wish both of you the best!

Sounds like he already popped that question. Hope he comes back to let us know how it turned out!

Thanks all. We did go to the orange garden but sadly it was pretty crowded and I know she wouldn't have liked that. So couldn't do it there. Afteer a day of tours we just went to the roof of our hotel and I sneakily set my phone up on a timer to take pics and worked it out there lol. Not the most ideal but it worked out!

Awwww. It really didn't matter WHERE as long as the answer was YES!!!
Congratulations to both!
Now you'll have to go back to Rome to celebrate your 1st anniversary? :O)

Congratulations!!!

Wander Fella, just so you know, this is my favorite post EVER on the travel forum :-) Congratulations!

Thanks Susan! I was just being an ill-informed tourist lol. But I appreciate all the suggestions. I wish I could have used them but when in Rome!

She just updated her Facebook sitting across the table from me drinking wine at a little cafe in Florence. So it's went pretty well. :)

So happy for you! If I wasn't already married I'd ask if you had a brother..... :)

Haha well if you find yourself single come see we will see who we can find! Lol.

Well ya know the selfie stick had come to mind. She actually owns like three :) one is actually a really nice one. They are goofy looking but also handy. I mean when you take a selfie with a group you always give it to the tallest person with the longest arms anyway!

There are beautiful ruins in Ostica Antica just outside Rome and there are generally school groups or others there that would be trustworthy - it's worth the shirt train ride

There are beautiful ruins in Ostica Antica just outside Rome and there are generally school groups or others there that would be trustworthy - it's worth the shirt train ride

There are beautiful ruins in Ostica Antica just outside Rome and there are generally school groups or others there that would be trustworthy - it's worth the shirt train ride

Pick a restaurant on Piazza Navona in front of the Four Rivers Fountain. Have your waiter take the shot with the fountain in the background.

Other ideas:

http://howigotengaged.com/propose/in/rome

http://www.bestholidayrome.com/attractions/most-romantic-places-to-propose-in-rome/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k1896212-Romantic_places_to_propose_in_Rome-Rome_Lazio.html

The garden at Borghese gallery just ask anyone You can spot a tourist very easily just look for sneakers (aka tennis shoes ). Or Trastevere, in the evening on a foot bridge along the Tiber just beautiful

Thanks guys. Already home. But if I have any friends needing a suggestion of places to propose in Rome I will certainly suggest they read this post! Or maybe someone googling will find it useful lol. Thanks again!