They secretly eloped to Las Vegas to say “I do” in a no-frills wedding – almost 20 years after calling-off their £1.5m star-studded nuptials when their romance faltered in the glare of the spotlight. Jennifer Lopez, 52, and Ben Affleck, 49 – nicknamed “Bennifer” during their high-profile romance in the early noughties – got hitched in a £50 ceremony at Sin City’s Little White Wedding Chapel without an A-lister in sight as Jen revealed how they patiently waited in line behind four other couples before reciting their vows.
Announcing their happy news to her 218m Instagram followers, the singer – who shares 14-year-old twins, Max and Emme, with ex-husband, Marc Anthony, 53 – gushed, “Stick around long enough and maybe you’ll find the best moment of your life in Las Vegas at twelve thirty in the morning in the tunnel of love drive-through, with your kids and the one you’ll spend forever with. Love is a great thing, maybe the best of things, and worth waiting for.”
Keeping with their low-key theme, Ben – who has daughters, Violet, 16, Seraphina, 13, and 10-year-old son, Samuel with ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, 50 – filmed himself in the men’s loos putting on his white tux as he told fans, “And this is my changing area.”
Following their reconciliation last April – shortly after J-Lo’s split from ex-fiancé Alex Rodriguez, 45 – insiders told Closer how the couple were longing to start a family together. And after officially becoming man and wife, pals say they are putting their baby plans into action.
The source says, “The official line they tell friends is that they’re just grateful to have this beautiful, blended family and that’s all they need besides each other. But this is J-Lo’s way of deflecting attention because she wants it all handled discreetly and of course it will take time – especially if they go through with her preferred scenario of surrogacy.
“Ideally they’ll have a baby in their arms by this time next year, possibly twins if they’re lucky enough.”
Just over a year ago, the actress revealed her hopes to have another child. After being asked if she’d like a baby with Alex in 2020, the then 50-year-old confessed, “I want to!” Adding, “I don’t know that it’s in God’s plan but I would like to try. I’m so open to it!”
In another interview just months earlier, she answered with a firm “Yeah!” when asked if she’d like to have more children.
Following their engagement first time around, J-Lo had joked, “Our child will pick whether he wants to be a Yankee or a Red Sock” alluding to the couple’s conflicting baseball team preferences.
The source says, “It’s not as though she needs more kids to feel complete with Ben, but it would be the icing on the cake of their fairy-tale journey.
“She’s always loved the idea of raising a big family. Jen was one of three herself and knows Ben’s got plenty of energy in the tank to raise one more at least.
“She’d love a baby with this man she calls her soul mate and life partner and, thanks to the wonders of modern medicine, it’s a whole lot easier now than it would have been 20 years ago, so surrogacy is very much on the table at the fore of their options – but adoption is being considered as well.”
The thrice-divorced Marry Me actress cried tears of joy upon announcing her engagement to the Oscar-winning star back in April as she showed-off her emerald and diamond sparkler to fans.
And after calling-off their whirlwind two-year romance in 2004 due to “excessive media attention” surrounding their upcoming nuptials – which included a £16k wedding gown, three decoy brides and a 400-strong star-studded guest list – pals revealed their plans to elope for a more intimate and private celebration to avoid history repeating itself.
After returning to their LA mansion last week, reports emerged that the newlyweds are planning to have a second wedding ceremony surrounded by their loved ones.
The source adds, “First off they’re going to enjoy their honeymoon, celebrate their marriage with friends and family, then sit down and map out their future. They just love the idea of having a large family and experience that feeling of opening their hearts and lives to a new generation.”
