Couples Fall in Love on the Ice: NYC Holiday Proposals at Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Centers ice rink remains the citys most sought after holiday spot for engagements, a trend highlighted by Proposal 007, a company that helps men plan lavish proposals in New York City. A typical package runs about 1500 dollars and covers private rink time, photography and videography, and a coordinated moment on the ice against the backdrop of the seasons most photographed plaza.

December is the busiest month for the company, with roughly 210 proposals scheduled this month and most of them set for weekends. Co founders Tatiana Caicedo and Vlad Leto launched Proposal 007 in 2015 and have since facilitated more than 2,000 engagements. Caicedo notes that many men do not know how to skate, so kneeling on one knee in skates is a delicate balance, often requiring the partner to steady the moment. In one recent instance, a groom to be skated to the spot and fell hard, then closed the distance to get on one knee while visibly shaking, with his partner supporting him; the moment was described as emotional and Hallmark like by Caicedo.

Rings and timing are also recurring challenges. The company has documented several ring drop incidents, a recurring hazard when a sparkler is tucked away while the couple navigates the ice. In a noted episode at Dumbo, in Brooklyn Bridge Park, a man proposed on the steps behind Jane’s Carousel and the ring slipped into a crack in the steps as family members scrambled to help retrieve it, later hauling it out with sticks after a chaotic search. There have also been moments when the ring goes missing before the moment begins; one groom left the ring in an Uber and had to retrace steps to recover it while his partner remained blindfolded.

Wardrobe surprises can also upend a plan. Caicedo recalls a fiancée who wore a shirt that read Just Say No on the day a formal restaurant proposal was staged with a group of singers and a crowd of onlookers. She says there was at least one case in more than a decade in which a couple parted after the reveal, noting that public proposals can magnify scrutiny and anxiety. She adds that she follows many couples on social media and has observed that some couples who appear blissful in photos eventually split, underscoring that public moments do not guarantee lasting outcomes.

Even with special park event permits, organizers can reserve only one hour for a proposal in most locations, a constraint that can be breached by bystanders or event timing. Some clients have pursued higher profile options, including a Times Square billboard package that costs about 4200 dollars for 10 minutes. In those instances, the couple appears on large digital screens as the crowd watches, yet Caicedo notes that even that package has its risks, including instances where couples miss the moment due to traffic or other delays.

The holiday season remains a peak for elaborate engagements in New York City, and Proposal 007 continues to offer a range of packages to suit different tastes and budgets. The ice rink at Rockefeller Center, with its long-standing festive appeal, remains the centerpiece for many couples seeking a moment that feels cinematic, while other locations and formats—ranging from park spaces to Times Square billboards—offer alternatives for those aiming to capture a once in a lifetime moment amid the citys iconic backdrop.