Louis and Megan Cappelli, always on the same page, the same team

Louis and Megan Cappelli

Nov. 7, 2020, and — they hope — Nov. 13, 2021, in Philadelphia

Hello there

A few get-to-know-you activities into St. Joe’s 2011 freshman orientation, the guys had to ask a girl to slow dance.

Premed students Louie and Megan had talked a little bit during an earlier icebreaker, so he asked her. They laughed about how very awkward it felt to sway with a stranger, but darn if it didn’t help make them fast friends. On move-in day, they discovered they were across-the-hall neighbors. They shared so many classes that they often studied together. They hung out in the same group of friends. The better Louie and Megan knew each other, the more they liked each other. But they always dated other people. So it remained until junior year.

Megan had spent six months in 2013 studying in Ireland. “We talked a lot while she was away, on Facebook Messenger,” said Louie. He missed her a lot — more than he expected to.

Megan’s friends held a welcome home party the night she returned.

Louie ran right up and kissed her. Then he said hi.

“It was gut instinct and a bold move that could have really gone the other way, but it worked out,” he said.

Sure did, said Megan. “I was so excited that he did that.”

Now both 28, they have been a couple ever since. Louie, who is originally from Collingswood, graduated medical school from Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a resident physician in his intern year at Inspira Medical Center in Vineland. Next year he will start a four-year residency in radiation oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Megan, who is from Clarks Summit, Pa., will graduate medical school at Thomas Jefferson this May. She is waiting to learn where her residency will be and is on her way to becoming a dermatologist. Later this spring, the couple will move from Glassboro to Center City.

“Since the first day I met him, he has showed me absolutely unconditional love and support,” Megan said. “That has stayed consistent through our entire relationship, as friends and as partners.” She also loves how hard he works, that he never complains, and that he is hilarious. “He makes me belly laugh every single day, and we have been through a lot of crazy and anxious times in medical school.”

Louie loves Megan’s dedication to helping others. “She loves being around people and trying new things. She’s very ambitious, and she is dedicated to really being a good friend, a good partner, and a good sister. I have been so lucky to have her by my side.”

How does forever sound?

In June 2019, the couple was in one of their favorite places: Sea Isle City. “I thought we were just going down the Shore for a normal weekend,” said Megan. She, her sister, Louie, and some of their closest friends were walking on the beach when “Louie pointed out toward the ocean and said, ‘There’s our friend!’ ”

That was Chris, approaching on his boat with more family and friends and champagne. Megan waved to them, delighted. When she turned back toward Louie, he was kneeling with a ring in his outstretched hands.

Megan looked at her sister, Kelsey, and in silent sister language asked with her eyes, “Is this real?”

Kelsey nodded her head — a silent “yes.”

Megan, who was overcome with emotion, couldn’t speak to Louie, either. She nodded her yes.

He put the ring on her finger. Then his mother and other friends and family emerged from the dunes with balloons. Even total strangers cheered.

“Then we went right to the Ocean Drive afterward, as one should, and spent the rest of our night having an absolute blast,” he said.

A plan, a pandemic, a new plan

The couple planned a ceremony and reception for 220 on Nov. 7, 2020. Then last spring, COVID-19 struck. At first, they, like most people, assumed that by fall, there would be no issue. But when the case numbers said otherwise by August, they made the tough decision to postpone. Acting early would give guests more notice and increase the likelihood of keeping their chosen venues and vendors, they reasoned.

But, as their original wedding date grew closer, Louie and Megan realized something:

“While we had postponed our big celebration, we did not want to let the pandemic keep us from marrying each other,” Megan said.

So, in six weeks, they planned a scaled-down version of everything most important to them.

They were married at Resurrection of Our Lord Parish by the Rev. Jim DeGrassa.

“It was just me and my dad in the back of the church, and I was getting super emotional,” Megan said. “He told me, ‘Stick with me, and everything will be all right.’ And then the horns started playing and the doors opened up and I saw Louie, whose smile was just huge. I thought. ‘There he is! This has been my dream for a while, and the man at the altar is going to be my husband.’ ”

At DeGrassa’s request, Louie and Megan each wrote the other a love letter. The priest read excerpts during the wedding. The couple will not read the complete letters until their first anniversary. DeGrassa also asked the 15 people present to give the couple advice for a happy marriage. Favorites include: Always communicate with and respect each other. Never stop having fun.

“When Meg got to the altar and I got to see her up close in her gown, with her hair and her makeup done, she just looked so gorgeous,” said Louie. " I knew that within the next hour, she’s going to be my wife, and this moment was real.”

A reception was held at Karamoor Estate winery. The couple’s first dance was to Frank Sinatra’s “Summer Wind.” A full sit-down meal was served, and the DJ kept everyone dancing the rest of the night.

Hope for 2021

The couple is cautiously optimistic that on Nov. 13, 2021, they will be back at Resurrection of Our Lord for a celebration of their marriage. All 22 members of their bridal party will walk down the aisle, followed by Megan in the much fancier gown she had originally chosen. And more than 200 people will celebrate with them at the Knowlton Mansion, dancing to a 12-piece band.

These are their hopes, but the doctor and soon-to-be doctor say the COVID-19 stats will dictate what actually happens.

“Louie and I have always been on the same page, the same team, about all of this,” said Megan. “It is helpful to have someone who makes the same decisions as you, even when they are very hard decisions.”

Louie agrees. “For better, or for worse,” he said.

Behind the scenes:

Ceremony venue: Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, Philadelphia http://resurrectphila.org/

Officiant: Rev. James DeGrassa, Resurrection of  Our Lord

Reception venue: Karamoor Estate, Fort Washington, Pa. https://www.karamoorwines.com/

Flowers: RAM Floral, Philadelphia ramfloral.com

Music: DJ Toroc, Philadelphia www.djtoroc.com

Photography: Rebecca Barger, Philadelphia www.rebeccabarger.com

Dress: Jane Hill from VOW Floral + Formal Clarks Summit, Pa.; Facebook: VOW Floral + Formal

Groom’s attire: Iacobucci Formal Wear Havertown, Pa. https://www.tuxedobysarno.com/havertown-pa-tuxedo-and-formalwear/