JLo & Ben Affleck’s 20-year love story with a cancelled wedding & reproposal as pair finally marry

Take a look back through Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s complicated love story after they finally tied the knot.

The two officially “married in a Las Vegas-style wedding” on July 16 – only months after the news of their second engagement.

JLo, 52, and Ben, 49, have had a long and tumultuous journey to the altar, beginning over 20 years ago.

The beloved couple first met in 2002 while on the set of their movie Gigli, The US Sun reported.

At the time, the Boy Next Door star was married to her second husband Chris Judd.

The couple embrace at “The Last Duel” New York Premiere. Credit: AFP

Love at first sight

But shortly after their July divorce, JLo and Ben went public with their relationship.

The Fly Girl dancer told People in 2016: “I really felt like when I met Ben, ‘Okay, this is it.”

Fans went wild over their perfect pairing, referring to them with the endearing nickname: “Bennifer.”

Engagement #1

Then, in November of 2002, Ben proposed to the hit maker for the first time.

He popped the question with a custom-made Harry Winston Pink-diamond solitaire ring that he picked out himself.

The Hustlers star gushed about her romance in an interview with Diane Sawyer at that time, saying that her fiance was “brilliantly smart. Loving. Charming. Affectionate.”

The fashion designer added that her mother approved of the match and that she just “admires him in every way”.

Media frenzy

Shortly after announcing their engagement, the duo found themselves subjected to the insanity of the media.

”We didn’t try to have a public relationship,” JLo later told People in 2016.

”We just happened to be together at the birth of the tabloids, and it was like ‘Oh my God.’ It was just a lot of pressure.”

JLo and Affleck at the premiere of Lopez's new film.

The stars at the LA Lakers v. San Antonio Spurs game in 2003. Credit: Vince Bucci/Getty Images

Ben also accused the public of “sexist” and “racist” behaviour towards his fiancee in a January 2021 interview.

“Ugly, vicious s**t was written about her in ways that if you wrote it now you would literally be fired for saying those things you said,” he recalled.

Cheating rumours

Then, in July of 2003, rumours ignited that Ben visited a Vancouver strip club.

The actor, who was filming Paycheck at the time, had only just appeared in an intimate Dateline interview with the performer.

That night sources alleged that he “cheated on her with at least one woman and that the encounter might be on tape.”

However, another insider later claimed that Ben only drank “water” and “never touched” any of the strippers.

Wedding delay

The famed lovers were set to tie the knot in September 2003 but just one day prior to the ceremony decided to postpone the wedding.

”Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date,” they explained at the time.

”When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate ‘decoy brides’ at three different locations, we realised that something was awry.”

They continued: “We began to feel that the spirit of what should have been the happiest day of our lives could be compromised.

”We felt what should have been a joyful and sacred day could be spoiled for us, our families, and our friends.”

Heartbreaking split

In the wake of the wedding cancellation, Ben and JLo took a short break, before rekindling and then officially called it quits in January of 2004.

Her representative issued a statement, reading: “Jennifer Lopez has ended her engagement to Ben Affleck. At this difficult time, we ask that you respect her privacy.

”I am not going to confirm anything about his personal life. We don’t want to get dragged into quicksand. Everybody wants a war. It’s not happening from our side.”

Moving on

Despite their tragic break-up, the duo remained friends and would speak kindly of one another in interviews over the next two decades.

The Selena star went on to marry Marc Anthony with whom she shares her 14-year-old twins Emme and Max.

The Batman star would later marry Jennifer Garner, with whom he shares his own three kids, Violet, 16; Seraphina, 13; and Samuel, 10.

JLo with her twin children. Credit: Instagram

A second chance

But by April 2021, shortly after her dramatic split from ex MLB player Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez, JLo and Ben began seeing each other romantically once more.

In July of last year, Jen and Ben went Instagram official after sharing kissing photos from her 52nd birthday vacation.

At the Venice Film Festival in September, the pair made their first red carpet appearance since their break-up 20 years before.

Then, in February of 2022, JLo opened up about her romance with Ben, telling People in their Love Issue: “I feel so lucky and happy and proud to be with him.

”It’s a beautiful love story that we got a second chance.”

Engagement #2

Just one month later, JLo and Ben announced their engagement.

The mother-of-two revealed the news in her On the JLo newsletter after being photographed sporting her new ring.

In the email, the star gushed about her love story.

The proposal was low-key, as Ben popped the question at home.

The New York native featured a clip of her admiring a large green diamond, which was sitting on her wedding ring finger.

It is worth over $3 million.

The On The Floor singer’s sister shared the video on Twitter, writing: “Major announcement!!!!”

JLo’s second engagement ring from Ben. Credit: Instagram

The couple reignite at the LA premiere of ‘The Tender Bar’.

The two stars attend the LA screening of ‘Marry Me’ together. Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Their new pad

Also in the same month, the couple purchased a $50 million mansion together.

Their new home boasted a pool, courtyard, and a personal parking lot.

The mansion was built in the 1930s and has about 10 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms.

Outside the three-level building, the couple has a large infinity pool to take a dip in, gardens to be tended, and several fire pits. to keep themselves warm.

They will also be spending time together in the wine cellar and home movie theatre.

Affleck and Lopez's wedding album.

Affleck and Lopez's wedding album.

Marry me!

JLo and Ben officially tied the knot Las Vegas style.

According to court records obtained by TMZ, the couple applied for a marriage license in Clark County, Nevada.

The “super small” wedding, according to People, reportedly took place on Saturday, July 16.

The two allegedly said their “I dos” while they were out in the desert.

The ceremony was held in both of their legal names: Benjamin Geza Affleck and Jennifer Lynn Lopez.

A source connected to the alleged married pair confirmed to the site that JLo and Ben had gotten hitched.

This story originally appeared on The US Sun and has been reproduced with permission.