Reese Witherspoon rejects marriage proposal from Jake Gyllenhaal

Actress Reese Witherspoon has reportedly rejected a marriage proposal from boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal.

26-year-old Jake proposed to Reese, 31, during their recent break to Rome, but Reese - whose divorce from former husband Ryan Philippe was finalised last month- rejected his offer because she does not want to rush into another marriage.

A source said: "Reese says it is just too soon after her divorce from Ryan to think about marrying again. She is madly in love with Jake, but her divorce just became final, and she doesn't want to rush into anything."

According to reports, the 'Brokeback Mountain' actor planned a day filled with romantic gestures before he popped the question to Reese.

The happy couple - who met on the set of film 'Rendition' earlier this year - were seen strolling around the Piazza di Spagna, walked up the Spanish Steps and visiting the Trinita dei Monti.

They then visited the Piazza Campo di Fiori for an intimate lunch, later that evening, Reese and Jake climbed up the Monte Mario hill, before dinning at the Zodiaco café - where Jake went down on one knee to propose.

The 'Legally Blonde' star is being cautious for the sake of her two children, Ava, 8, & Deacon, 4.

The source added to America's National Enquirer magazine: "Reese wants to take things very slowly because of her two young children. She doesn't want anything to upset or disrupt them. It took her a while to introduce them to Jake - she didn't want them to know they were a couple until they were definitely serious about each other.

"They are madly in love. They really are the perfect couple."