Looks like this is the ultimate weekend when Ben Affleck will play Rhett Butler to Jennifer Lopez’s Scarlett O’Hara.
Although the two are already married, their ceremony will officially take place at the actor’s longtime Georgia home, described as “a remarkable recreation of a Southern antebellum Greek Revival plantation home.”
And my, how things have come full circle.
Affleck, 50, first purchased the sprawling 87-acre Riceboro estate in 2003 for $7.11 million — the same time he was dating Jennifer Lopez.
It was reported at the time the two were even planning on building a wedding chapel on the property. But they ended their first engagement a year later, in 2004, and it never came into fruition.
Comprised of three different structures, the compound overlooks the North Newport River and Hampton Island.
The Big House is a 6,000-square-foot two-story main residence that features a veranda and overlooks the river. Made up of four bedrooms and five bathrooms, features include pine floors, arched fireplaces and 15-foot-high ceilings.
Along the path, behind the veranda, is the Summer Cottage, which comes screened-in for those steamy summer nights. It boasts a fireplace, exposed brick, pitched ceilings and a metal roof.
The final structure is known as the Oyster House, which spans a massive 10,000 square feet and comes with three primary suites and five other bedrooms with bunk beds “salvaged from marine vessels,” a previous listing says. A camp-style house, this is likely where the reception will take place.
Affleck put the home on the market in 2018 for $8.9 million, but later removed the listing amid the 2020 pandemic.
“This magnificent estate has equestrian opportunities, remarkable ocean access from your private deep-water dock and nearly endless tranquility,” the listing noted at the time.
The property was allegedly a “thriving rice plantation” known as the Hampton Pastures dating back to the pre-Civil War period, according to WTOC.
And although this seems like the ideal place for JLo and Ben to say “I do,” it seems their chosen venue has already been plagued by misfortune.
Affleck’s mom, Christopher Anne Boldt, sustained an arm injury Friday afternoon at the house and was rushed to the hospital after falling off a dock. Photos show an ambulance departing the “Argo” star’s property with his mom.
Lopez, 53, and Affleck arrived in Georgia earlier this week ahead of their big day. The ceremony is expected to be officiated by celebrity life coach Jay Shetty, Page Six reported. The “Wedding Planner” actress is expected to walk down the aisle in a custom Ralph Lauren gown.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Garner reportedly turned down an invitation from the couple and will not be in attendance.
