BOSTON | Courtney Gambardella, 29, knew her boyfriend, Brian Bradley, 30, was acting unusually during their visit to the New England Aquarium, but she couldn’t figure out why. He was fidgety, refused to take off his jacket, and kept checking the time on his phone.


Bradley directed Gambardella to the Aquarium’s Giant Ocean Tank, stopping at window 15, where they stood for several minutes. Gambardella was ready to move on, but Bradley wanted to keep looking. Then Gambardella saw a diver. He must be feeding the fish, she thought. The diver came right to the window where the Hoboken, New Jersey couple was standing and held a laminated sign in his hands: “Courtney will you marry me.”


Bradley and Gambardella have been dating for a year and a half. They love Boston and often spend weekend trips in the city. Bradley said he wanted to propose in an unusual way and since Gambardella has a love for marine animals and sharks, he thought the Aquarium would be a perfect place.

Following the proposal, the couple enjoyed champagne and chocolate covered strawberries in the Aquarium’s private tasting room overlooking the Boston Harbor.

The proposal has romantics across the city aflutter. The Boston Globe even featured the happy occasion on The Names Blog! Fox 25 and WHDH Channel 7 also shared the story with viewers. You might not know that the New England Aquarium is a quite romantic place, as we host on average more than 30 weddings and receptions each year. Learn more about weddings and engagements at the Aquarium.