Italy's first flash mob marriage proposal took place in Rome's Piazza del Popolo in late July.

The future bride Alessandra – oblivious to what was about to happen – was enjoying her birthday with her family, friends and extrovert boyfriend Renato. During a walk around Piazza del Popolo they stopped in front of a live band and she soon found herself the focus of a group of flash mob dancers.

After Renato joined the flash mob, becoming its central performer, his girlfriend knew something was up. At the end of the choreographed dance sequence he got down on bended knee and asked a shocked, quivering Alessandra to marry him.

She said yes, amid a flurry of photographs and cheers from the crowd.