Casey + Eugenio by February 30th Stories

For us, the venue was the main visual element.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Casey — I’m a Vice President at a boutique consulting firm, where I focus on underwriting and financial strategy across residential, hospitality, retail, and industrial real estate investments. My background is in architecture and design — I studied at George Washington University and later earned a Master’s in Real Estate Development from Columbia University. My work sits at the intersection of design and finance, with a focus on thoughtful, economically grounded development. Outside of work, I enjoy running with Jay, travelling, cooking, and spending time at fashion events around the city.

Eugenio — though most people call him Jay — works in tech and is deeply interested in the relationship between technology and humanity. He studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Imperial College London, though he rarely brings it up himself. Outside of work, he’s usually focused on his latest pursuit: running, which he approaches with the same energy and curiosity he brings to everything else.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met in true Manhattan fashion, online. Direct by nature, I (Casey) kept our early messages brief and, within a message or two, made it clear I had no interest in being pen pals, suggesting we skip the small talk and meet for a drink instead. He took me to a lasagna restaurant for our first date, and arrived ten minutes late. Sitting alone at the table waiting for this stranger, I decided I was going to have a little fun. I had done my pre-date research and came across his roster of awards and accolades, and I arrived ready. Forbes Under 30 was the obvious first target. To my surprise, he was a complete good sport, he could laugh at himself without missing a beat, and if anything, seemed to enjoy being challenged.

Our second date was a day or two later at MoMA. Eugenio is Italian and passionate about art, so I was slightly nervous. True to myself, I didn’t study a word of it and showed up ready to share my completely unfiltered, wholly uninformed opinions on modern art. It’s actually quite funny that every art piece Jay loved, I absolutely hated. Rather than being put off, he seemed to enjoy the fact that I wasn’t going to pretend to be someone I wasn’t just to impress him. Afterwards, he took me to Eataly, promising to cook me the best pasta of my life back at his studio apartment. It took an hour and a half to produce a carbonara that was, to put it kindly, more charming in effort than execution. But watching him and talking with him that evening turned out to be the best part of the night.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

For us, the venue was the main visual element. We were — and still are — completely in love with Villa di Geggiano, and there was very little we felt we needed to add to make the ceremony and celebration feel like our own. The villa speaks for itself. Being in Italy, Eugenio’s home country, meant the setting carried a personal significance that no amount of styling could ever replicate. The beauty of Tuscany, the architecture of the villa, and the warmth of the landscape created an atmosphere that was effortlessly romantic and entirely us. We simply let the surroundings do the work.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

Planning was not exactly our favourite part of the process … but we had the incredible and endlessly patient Roberta by our side, who quite literally held our hands from start to finish. For any couple embarking on their wedding planning journey, particularly those who are perfectionists, our biggest piece of advice is simply this: find help. Whether that is a trusted friend willing to lend a hand or a professional wedding planner, having a third party to guide you through the moments when a resolution feels impossible is invaluable.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

Our standout supplier was, without question, the catering team at Rolands in Italy. Choosing them made selecting dishes, wine, and rental items the easiest part of our entire planning process, which is typically the most demanding and time-consuming. For any couple getting married in Tuscany, we could not recommend them more highly. Their mille-feuille wedding cake deserves a special mention of its own — we have had friends reaching out long after the wedding asking about it, calling it the best they have ever tasted and wanting it for their own celebrations.

Another supplier that surprised us with just how much fun the collaboration turned out to be was Concordia, our stationery designer. As stationery is often the first creative decision a couple makes, working with Zakk truly set the tone and mood for everything that followed. He had a wonderful ability to understand our initial vision, draw design cues from our venue, and bring it all together in a way that felt cohesive and genuinely special. Since Concordia works virtually, we would recommend them to any couple anywhere looking for an elevated wedding suite.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Casey wore a gown by Pnina Tornai for the ceremony, and changed into a custom gown by Nicole and Felicia for the reception. Eugenio kept it classic in a TM Lewin tuxedo, simple, sharp, and very him.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

We wanted simple, matching rings, the idea being that we would always carry the same object, no matter how far apart we might be. We both wear plain gold wedding bands from Tiffany & Co., engraved with our wedding date and each other’s initials. Casey’s band is dated in the European format, a small but meaningful nod to Eugenio’s roots, while Jay is dated in the American month-day-year format.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

Without question, our venue was where we were happiest to invest. Villa di Geggiano is simply irreplaceable — the setting, the atmosphere, and the experience it created for both us and our guests made every penny worthwhile. It was the foundation around which everything else was built.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

Our first dance is one we will never forget. After three months of dance lessons, which, let’s be honest, felt like a lot of commitment, we took to the floor for Come Rain or Come Shine by Ray Charles and absolutely nailed it. We even landed our lift, which frankly felt like its own little victory. It was one of those moments where all the practice, all the planning, and all the chaos of the day melted away, and we just got to enjoy ourselves.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Casey will be the first to tell you she is not someone who believes in destiny. In her view — and honestly, in mine too — love is less about fate and more about choosing someone every single day and doing the work to make it last. The idea that the universe somehow engineered a meeting between a kid from Genoa and a girl from Long Island in Manhattan does, we will both admit, stretch credibility. And yet, here we are.

For us, marriage means having a partner who challenges you, grows alongside you, and shows up consistently and completely. The rituals that define us are less grand and more instinctive: reaching for each other’s hands across the dinner table without thinking, the spirited bickering that somehow always dissolves into laughter, and a quiet, unspoken understanding that no matter how much we debate, challenge, or disagree, we always find our way back to each other.