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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Joel Leaver

Why Bennifer called first wedding off last minute 'as they party at same venue' 19 years on

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are reportedly having a three-day wedding celebration this weekend, following the couple's nuptials whilst in Las Vegas last month.

The singer, 53, and the actor, 50, tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in the city in Nevada, though they're said to be having a second ceremony this weekend.

They're believed to be celebrating their union with family and friends at a ceremony on Saturday (August 20) before having a barbecue and picnic on Sunday (August 21).

The three-day event - which is said to have included a rehearsal dinner on Friday (August 19) - is reportedly being held at the 87 acre estate in Georgia that's owned by Ben.

Ben Afleck and Jennifer Lopez got married last month (ON THE JLO)
It came after the pair reconciled their relationship last year, after previously splitting up in 2004 (Getty Images)

It was previously claimed that the mansion was where they had planned to get married during their first engagement, which had been from 2002 until the couple split in 2004.

TMZ reported that they were going to use arrangements that were "almost identical" to those for their wedding two decades ago as the plan to celebrate their nuptials this year.

Despite such claims, it was reported around the time of their original wedding plans in 2002 that Jennifer and Ben were to get married at a venue in Santa Barbara, California.

They had first began dating in around 2002 (AFP via Getty Images)
They had been due to get married in 2003, though it was called off at the last minute (Getty Images)

Their original wedding - believed to have been scheduled for September 14, 2003 - was abruptly cancelled just a few days before it had been expected to go ahead.

The couple said in a statement at the time that they were postponing the ceremony because of the media attention - suggesting that it could spoil the special occasion.

"Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date," they said.

They're reportedly celebrating their recent union with events at Ben's estate in Georgia (Engel & Völkers)

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The couple's statement at the time had 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 spoilt for us, our families and our friends."

Hundreds of attendees were said to have been due to fly out for the occasion, with the guest list reportedly having included Bruce Willis, Matt Damon and Matthew Perry.

Ben and Jennifer, pictured last year, said in 2003 that they were postponing their wedding due to media attention (Getty Images)

Their upcoming wedding celebrations are set to include high-profile guests such as talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, actor Drea de Matteo and Ben's brother Casey Affleck.

Jennifer - who wore two gowns for her nuptials last month - is due to wear a custom Ralph Lauren wedding dress for the ceremony this weekend, according to Page Six.

People reported last month that the couple - who got back together last year - were planning a party to celebrate with family and friends after their low-key nuptials.

They broke up the following year (Getty Images)
They got back together in 2021 though (Getty Images)

The estate where it's believed to be being held, located just outside of Savannah, is said to feature several buildings - so there would likely be plenty of bedrooms for any guests.

The Daily Mail previously said that Ben bought the property for around $7 million (£6 million) in 2003, during his past relationship with Jennifer - prior to their split 2004.

He later went on to have three children - Violet, 16, Seraphina, 11, and Samuel, 9 - with now ex-wife Jennifer Garner, 50. Lopez shares twins Emme and Max, both 14, with her ex-husband Marc Anthony, 53.

The Mirror approached Ben and Jennifer's reps for comment.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033.

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