I am going to propose to my angel next year (July 2010) in Venice. This will be our second marriage and I want it to be just perfect and so romantic. I truely have found my soul mate and she is a beautiful lady. We are both in our early fifties and this will be my very first time to Italy and Venice. I was looking on the net and discovered this company in Venice that could look after me. What do you think use them or do my own thing?
http://www.serenissima-weddings.com/...e_proposal.htm

This has to be so romantic and perfect as she is a lady and I want only the best for her. Also after I have proposed to her I want to go to the most romantic restaurant in Venice on the water and on roof top, candles and violin music played? Any ideas and money isnt object as I want her to be blown away. Any help and ideas would be appreciated for this aussie guy. thankyou

Well Romantic Guy, I don't have any suggestions for you but as another aussie, I just wanted to congratulate you for putting another image of the aussie guy out there instead of the unfortunate stereotype! Don't suppose you have a single brother who takes after you?

I do but he is not like me unfortunately. Thankyou for your kind words too. As you can see there are romantic aussies out there in our beautiful country male and female. Hope all goes well for you greynomad

That one's a no-brainer. Legend has it that lovers will be assured eternal love if they kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e_of_Sighs.jpg

I trust that you know that your lady will like something this...personally I can't think of anything worse.... I think that asking is more important, rather than any fancy or public setting

Thanks for your replys and yes my lady is very much into this as this has always been one of her dreams and is romantic like me too.

IMHO a public proposal would be mortifying for many - including me, So you betterbe sure this is what she wants.

For choice, I would get a suite with baclony at one of the deluxe hotels overlooking the Grand Canal of the Bacinoa nd do the proposal there. (Expect $100 and up for the room per night.) There are several hotels that have rooftop dining - but in July it might be incredibly hot and humid - so you might want to rethink that. Candles are possible - never heard of violins, but I suppose you coudl arrange it. (Again I would be mortified, but I guess some people might like it.)

I've always found the most romanti proposals to be very intimate - as in alone and, well, intimate. But eveyone hs their point of view.

Sounds fabulous except for the July part.

My idea of a perfect proposal would involve only the two of you but perhaps be done quietly in a public place. Like Piazza San Marco late at night after it has emptied out, or late at night on the Accademia Bridge (just don't drop the ring) with the view of the Grand Canal and Salute. Hold her and whisper, "Ti amo, cara, mi vuoi sposare?" When she sees the ring, she won't need a translation.

Hey, if the diamond is big enough, she won't care if you are sitting at the sewer plant. lol My son proposed to his wife at the Eiffel Tour in 2007. She did indeed like this and has been the envy of lots of girls here in our small town.

Taka a water taxi from Marco Polo airport to your hotel - it will cost you about $160 Australian, and propose in the taxi.

Or in the Piazza at about midnight when it is quiet. You'll remember it forever. So will she.

A meal at the Cipriani on Guidecca would be a good idea.

I echo the meal at Cipriani

Hotel Cip.

http://www.hotelcipriani.com/web/oci...estaurants.jsp

Thanks everyone for replying. i have re-thinked it and agree it would be too public for my lady. I will take a romantic gondola on the grand canal and propose to her there. I will then take her to Cipriani for romantic dinner and hopefully celebrate. thanks again

Keep in mind that in a gondola, your gondoliere will there as an audience. Also, the Grand Canal is not the best place for a gondola - there can be a lot of other traffic there, and the water is a bit rougher. Tell the gondoliere you'd like to stay on the side canals. They'll be beautiful, quiet and private (except for the gondoliere).

Enjoy!

I know you want something 'romantic', but this is the 'romantic gesture' you are going for.

I love the private moments... one girlfriend was proposed to just after she got over the flu. He told her he was willing to hold her head the rest of their life and for her, that was the sweetest thing...

okay, maybe not a great example, but what is unique about the two of you ? Don't you think she is expecting it ? Instead, propose before you go ... surprise her and use this vacation as a chance to talk over everything and plan your life together. You won't have the pressure of 'I have to do it' and she won't have the pressure of looking perfect 'in case this is the moment'. (also, you can make sure all insurance is taken care of before you are there!)

Think of a quiet moment in your everyday lives and use that to your advantage

good luck : )

(pls let us know how it turns out!)

Thanks Lexma90 - good advice.

Think about this. Would you propose at Luna park in Sydney (I can't think of a Perth equivalent, except maybe a horse drawn carriage in Kings Park). If you'd propose in Luna Park, then the gondola thing would be fine.

Gondolas proceed in a progression - we saw about a dozen plus a guy with a piano accordion on the Grand Canal, and that was in Winter when the tourist season is quiet. Go private and intimate.

Thanks I get the message and go private now and make it intimate. Just need to find a nice restaurant to go afterwards.

I like the idea of the gondola proposal.