Jenn and Dave got married on December 7, 2024, in St. Barts.

Their Story

When Jennifer Mesler and Dave Basso first saw each other, there was a spark. Jenn was working for her father’s recycling plant in New Jersey.

As Dave, who owns a sanitation business in New Jersey, walked past her desk on the way to a meeting with her father, “we had this instant eye connection,” says Jenn.

Every Friday, Dave would pick up a check and bring Jenn a coffee. “We would try to talk real quick and get to know each other,” she says.

This flirtation continued for a few months, but they tried to remain professional. “But Dave and I couldn’t stay apart,” says Jenn.

They went to a Giants game in October 2021, and “after that, we say it was fate,” says Jenn.

The Proposal

Jenn and Dave have always loved St. Barts, so it’s fitting that Dave popped the question on the island on April 18, 2022.

Jenn wanted an intimate wedding weekend celebration, so the couple decided to get married in St. Barts as well. The day after their engagement, they toured venues and started their 19-month planning journey. 

Tying the Knot

Before their destination wedding, they officially tied the knot in New Jersey. On September 21, 2024, Dave and Jenn had a beach ceremony at ICONA Avalon with just a minister, photographer and violinist in attendance.

Afterward, “I was like, Dave, this could have been it. This was just perfect,” says Jenn, and Dave agreed. But the pair still wanted to celebrate.

Details of the Day

Fast forward to the weekend of December 6-9, 2024, and Jenn, Dave and their 20 guests got to live it up on St. Barts. They had a welcome party on Friday.

Then, their big day on Saturday began with a ceremony in a church beautifully decorated with flowers. The couple’s favorite song, “Yellow” by Coldplay, played, “and it made everybody really emotional,” says Jenn.

Church bells rang at sunset, and then their guests hopped on Mokes (Jeep-like cars) and drove to Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa.

The couple rented a villa, which they transformed for their reception “into a garden heaven with roses and peonies everywhere and candles,” says Jenn. “It was really magical.” A DJ, saxophonist and cabaret dancers got the party started.

After dinner, drinks and dancing, the party ended with all the guests jumping in the pool.

The weekend concluded on Sunday with time spent at the beach and a pool party. “It was everything that I wanted,” says Jenn. “It checked every box for fun.”

A Piece of NJ

Jenn loved having some New Jersey-area vendors, like Phillip Van Nostrand, her photographer, and Nicole Gilani, her makeup artist, in St. Barts. “I felt like I brought home to the island,” she says.

Special Moment

Jenn’s three-year-old daughter, Milania, was the flower girl.

After Jenn walked down the aisle and kissed her father, “my daughter came up to me and gave me the biggest hug. It was kind of like she was giving me away too.”

Advice For Other Couples

When planning a destination wedding, Jenn says, “interview a few wedding planners and make sure you have that vibe…It’ll really make things seamless.”

Honeymoon

The Bassos remained in St. Barts for a few days after their wedding guests left. They stayed at Le Sereno Hotel. They’re home in Green Brook Township.