Meaghan & Joseph in New Orleans, LA

Joe Bonavita III grew up with Meaghan Ryan’s cousin in Albany, and when Meaghan attended her cousin Pat’s wedding, they hit it off immediately. The next day they decided to drive back to New York together, where they both lived at the time. From then on, they were a pair. Two years into their relationship, Meaghan left New York to attend graduate school in New Orleans. “After Hurricane Katrina, we knew this was it,” says Meaghan. “Life is too short!” The Bride Meaghan Ryan, 29, graduate student The Groom Joseph (Joe) Bonavita III, 34, investment banker The Date April 13 For his proposal, Joe, who was still living in New York City at the time, flew down to New Orleans to visit Meaghan. The plan was to go to the Jazz Festival for a day, and then head to Florida for some much needed rest and relaxation. As the couple was standing outside of Meaghan’s parents’ house, Joe pulled out a small box and asked her to marry him. She immediately accepted, and they soon began planning their spring wedding.