Tying The Knot

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are back home in Los Angeles after a whirlwind week where they celebrated their second wedding in Georgia and jetted over to Italy for a honeymoon.

The newlyweds touched down Monday at LAX in a private jet then hopped into a waiting SUV to be whisked back to reality.

It's been a super long week for both Ben and Jen, the actor was spotted lighting up a cigarette shortly after the plane landed.

Remember ... Ben and Jen spent the week traveling across Italy after celebrating their marriage down at his Georgia estate. On their Italian honeymoon, Bennifer dined at Lake Como and made out in Milan.

Of course, it was the second honeymoon for Ben and Jen ... after initially getting hitched in Las Vegas, they jetted off to Paris.

Nikki Bella is officially a married woman -- 'cause after 3 years of dating the ex-WWE star tied the knot with her "Dancing with the Stars" dancer fiancé, Artem Chigvintsev, in an intimate ceremony in Paris!!

The former wrestler and Broadway star got married in front of a small group of friends and family ... according to E! News.

Nikki posted a photo of her and Artem's hands with their wedding rings ... saying, "We said I DO, can't wait to share the entire journey with you all when our four-part special event."

The former "Total Bellas" star also shared a pic of the newlyweds in each other's arms as they took in the Paris skyline.

Nikki and Artem -- who met when they were partners on season 25 of 'DWTS' -- have one child, a little boy named Matteo, who was born in July 2020.

Nikki and Artem were engaged for a while due to the pandemic and coronavirus restrictions, but always knew they wanted to say "I Do" ... and now they did!!

You'll recall ... at one point during their relationship, "Good Morning America" accidentally called Nikki Artem's wife before the two ever jumped the broom.

Nikki and Artem were not married then, but now, after years of waiting, the romantic duo can proudly say they are husband and wife.

Weddings can be a trippy thing ... especially these days, when the wedding party gets all psychedelic with shrooms!!!

There's a super interesting trend -- trading mushrooms for booze. Lots of folks -- especially millennials -- don't want that awful champagne hangover the next day, so they're choosing to party with mushrooms .... usually in the form of tasty chocolates.

Yeah, it's a hallucinogen, but it's become very common to relieve anxiety and depression and for lots of folks it's just a pleasurable experience ... within limits. Beats getting drunk.

A 35-year-old wedding guest told The Times, '"I think it is a combination of no weddings for two years and the younger generation moving away from getting really p*****, which can make people get quite angry. With this, everyone was having a great time."

The rub, of course, is that when someone is trippin' in a big crowd, it could cause chaos, and that's a real thing as well.

Jennifer Lopez can't get enough of Ben Affleck ... that's exactly what she told him with a song and dance she performed for her husband during their wedding, and we have the video!!!

J Lo took over the dance floor at Ben's Georgia estate during their wedding celebration, grabbing the mic and performing a new song while Ben sat alone in a chair ... just a few steps away from the new Mrs. Affleck.

The lyrics are pretty affectionate ... Jen's singing about passion, still being in love and there's even a catchy hook, "Can't get enough."

J Lo's doing it all in her wedding dress, and she's even got backup singers and dancers!!!

For his part, Ben really seemed to enjoy his front row seat ... just check out the loving look on his face as he watches his bride strut her stuff.

As you know ... Ben and Jen's huge ceremony and party went down last weekend -- at the same venue where they were supposed to get married 20 years ago -- with tons of friends and family there to celebrate the newlyweds.

Honeymooners Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are all over each other -- kissing like teens in Milan -- but their bodyguard's all over them ... making for a very awkward scene.

The couple was out and about Thursday in Italy's fashion capital, hitting some of the usual hot spots, and something in the window at Cartier got 'em all charged up ... romantically speaking.

The window shopping dissolved into a make-out sesh right there on the street -- typical for newlyweds -- but Jen and Ben are far from typical. One of their bodyguards was about 2 feet away keeping a watchful eye out for fans, and desperately trying NOT to look at his bosses locking lips.

Tough assignment, for sure

As you know, this romantic getaway comes after the Afflecks got hitched for a second time at Ben's Georgia estate last weekend.

The elaborate ceremony came after Ben and Jen first eloped in Las Vegas last month.

They followed that up by jetting off to Paris to enjoy a honeymoon, which included some time with their kids too.

That Sin City wedding made their marriage official, making Paris the "official" honeymoon, in our book.

Every second wedding's gotta have a second honeymoon -- seems like that should be a rule -- and that's why Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are back in Europe for another romantic vacay.

Witnesses tell TMZ ... Ben and Jen pulled up to the Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Lake Como, Italy Tuesday -- arriving by private water limo, naturally.

The tables to the left of them were apparently kept empty ... even a glass facade was moved so they could get a better view of the iconic lake.

Security was also nearby to make sure their night went uninterrupted.

And yes, we're told they couldn't keep their hands off each other -- they put a pause on the kissing so Jen could head off to the bathroom, but when she came back they got right back to it!!!

Sounds like Ben was taking a look at Jen's wedding pics on Vogue's IG page -- truly her #1 fan.

As you know, they said "I Do" for a second time at his Georgia estate over the weekend ... after first eloping in Vegas last month. Wedding #1 ended with a family trip to Paris for their honeymoon.

Casey Affleck must really prefer the west coast to Georgia ... the actor was spotted out and about in Cali once again, just days after being a no-show at his brother Ben's wedding.

Casey and his GF Caylee Cowan were spotted grabbing a meal in Malibu Monday -- the two made a pit stop for gas before heading off to a private beach nearby.

C&C seemed in good spirits, but the heat might've been too much for Casey -- he pulled his shirt up to let his abs breathe as they walked out of the restaurant.

As you know, Casey was notably absent from Ben's second wedding to Jennifer Lopez in Riceboro, GA ... he instead was seen getting some frozen treats with Caylee on Saturday -- Ben and Jen's big day.

Casey also went on a Starbucks run that morning, but didn't offer up much of an explanation as to why he didn't make the trip to be with his brother.

Casey Affleck had cooler things to do than travel to Georgia for his brother Ben Affleck's second wedding to Jennifer Lopez ... grabbing an ice cold treat with his hot date.

Casey was spotted in CA Saturday, taking his actress girlfriend Caylee Cowan out for sweets at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in Los Feliz while Ben and J Lo were celebrating their marriage with family and friends.

Not only were Casey and Bennifer worlds apart in terms of geography, but Ben and Jen were also decked out in all-white while Casey and Caylee kept it super casual.

It seems Casey kept himself pretty busy Saturday ... going on a morning Starbucks run, where he offered a pap no real explanation for skipping Ben's wedding.

Remember ... Casey spent the days leading up to Ben and Jen's huge wedding celebration telegraphing he wasn't going to be in attendance ... and on Thursday, Casey and Caylee were out in L.A. and he showed no interest in talking about Ben's bash.

Casey also noted in a social media post he was sending his kid off to college ... and now Ben's the only Affleck brother exhausted from a marathon weekend.

In any event, it's been a while since the Affleck brothers were photographed in public ... but maybe they can catch up over some ice cream once Ben's recovered from the bash.

Leah Remini was noticeably absent from her BFF Jennifer Lopez's wedding -- but some folks in Leah's world claim it wasn't a snub, it was merely a case of her being a good mom.

Sources connected to the 'King of Queens' actress tell TMZ ... Leah wasn't in attendance for Bennifer's nuptials down in Georgia this weekend because she had her hands full with her 18-year-old daughter, Sofia, who's about to head off to college.

We're told Leah was, in fact, invited -- her and J Lo are like sisters, so they're very close -- but LR wanted to spend some precious time with her kiddo before the big milestone.

We're told Leah prioritized family time as she's missed some valuable moments raising her daughter while she was knee-deep in Scientology.

J Lo and Leah still follow each on social media too -- in case anyone was wondering -- so it appears there are no hard feelings.

Leah was just one of a handful of notable people who didn't make the shindig. Neither of Ben and Jen's exes -- Jennifer Garner and Marc Anthony -- showed up, which might not be all that shocking.

However, BA's own brother, Casey Affleck, was also a no-show ... and he too is telegraphing a college excuse.

After sending J Lo a personal message of congratulations on social media, he posted another clue as to why he might've bailed. Apparently, his own son is going to college as well.

Ben Affleck needs a nap -- at least that much is obvious from these photos of him on the road in Georgia ... where the dude looks absolutely drained post-wedding weekend.

The actor was photographed Sunday night being driven to a private airport, with a police escort in town that had the entryway to the facility blocked off to try and keep fans and photogs away.

Ben looks exhausted, leaning over to his right side with his eyes partially closed.

We're told his bride, Jennifer Lopez, was also in the SUV, but you can't see her in the pics.

It appears Ben and the gang were on their way to a private jet to get 'em outta Savannah -- where they've been for the past several days celebrating his and J Lo's second nuptials ... this time in the presence of friends and family.

Some famous faces flew in for the shindig at BA's estate -- including his bestie, Matt Damon -- but there were some notable absences as well ... including his brother, Casey, and his ex-wife Jennifer Garner. For what it's worth, Marc Anthony also skipped the get-together.

Bennifer enjoyed themselves nonetheless ... decked out in all-white and smooching at every opportunity. It definitely looked like the wedding of a lifetime, from the pics we've seen.

Marc Anthony was looking pretty chipper this weekend -- waving to dock workers and flashing a big grin ... this amid missing his ex-wife's second wedding with Ben Affleck.

The Latin superstar was seen throwing up salute gestures to guys working out in a marina down in Miami -- where MA's apparently got a boat of his stationed -- and as he was being escorted to a waiting sprinter van to whisk him away ... he was in a greeting mood.

Of course, he's a ways from Georgia ... where his Jennifer Lopez was saying "I do" with her new hubby with friends and family around. But that bunch obviously didn't include Marc.

The massive shindig also didn't see Ben's own ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, in attendance -- although she was sort of in their neck of the woods ... popping up at a Sam's Club in her native West Virginia Saturday just as all the festivities for Bennifer were getting underway.

In addition to both Ben and Jen's famous exes not showing face for their nuptials ... Ben's own brother, Casey Affleck also skipped it, opting to stay in L.A. and pound Starbucks instead of flying out to Savannah to by his only sibling's side.

NBD that neither of their former longtime SOs made it out to party. Frankly, it probably be a little weird ... and it seems that in this very modern blended family, co-parenting is #1 -- so if it's not directly tied to the kids, there might be little to no reason to mingle.

All good ... Ben and Jen had a ball anyway, and their wedding certainly looked like one to remember.

Congrats!

Jennifer Garner did NOT attend her ex-husband's wedding ... she had other plans -- shopping at Sam's Club!

The previous Mrs. Affleck was checking out the aisles at S.C. in S.C. -- Sam's Club in South Charleston -- over in West Virginia just before 4 PM. That's about the time all the festivities got underway in Savannah, Georgia, where Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez tied the knot for a second time.

An eyewitness tells TMZ, she was shopping with 2 guys, who looked like her dad and her boyfriend, businessman John Miller.

She was super friendly .,.. taking photos with fans and in a good mood.

To cure hazy memories, Garner and Affleck were married from 2005 to 2018 and have 3 kids together. Unclear how they're all reacting to the J Lo marriage, but at least on the surface, all seems fine.

There were reports Garner was invited to the wedding but passed ... we can't confirm that.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck made a pretty spectacular entrance to their second wedding ceremony Saturday night ... he looked great but she ... well, wow.

J Lo wore a pretty magnificent white gown with a long, long train -- approx 20 feet -- as she and Ben got ready for the march down the aisle.

It looks like Ben and Jen may have arrived by boat ... they greeted friends and family in the wedding party on the dock.

It was a white-themed affair ... with the exception of Ben's black tuxedo pants.

Their kids were on hand for the ceremony and the bash that followed at Ben's $8 million home in Savannah, Georgia.

Ben and Jen couldn't keep their hands off each other as they took photos with the wedding party.

Among the guests ... Matt Damon and wife Luciana, Kevin Smith and his wife Jennifer, Jason Mewes and his wife Jordan, titan talent agent (and Lauren Sanchez's ex-husband) Patrick Whitesell and wife Pia.

The officiant was podcaster Jay Shetty ... a life coach who is kinda new age.

There was a big tent for the shindig, which as of this post is still going strong. There's a fireworks show in store for the guests later in the evening.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have a lot of friends and family flying in this weekend to celebrate their marriage -- but one person won't be in attendance ... Casey Affleck.

Ben's younger brother, who's also a big-time actor, was spotted Saturday morning in L.A. on a Starbucks run ... where he looked pretty busy with his hands full. Of course, the obvious question that a pap posed to him was ... why aren't you in Georgia right now, man???

You can tell Casey wasn't really in the mood to chat much, but he does mumble something sorta telling as for why he isn't with BA today -- it sounds like he says he "fell asleep."

The cameraman tries clarifying to see if that's what CA actually said, but he doesn't respond further. In any case, it seems he's going to miss the festivities ... because just about everyone who's showing up is touching down in the Peach State as we speak.

Casey's been telegraphing this all week -- on Thursday, he was out with his girlfriend Caylee Cowan, and didn't appear that interested in talking about his sibling's big day this weekend.

Worth noting ... the Affleck brothers have seemed close over the years. But, they haven't been photographed together of late ... so who knows if they're all that tight these days.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are doing their second 'wedding' in style ... with a waterside reception complete with a live piano performance and firework display.

Ben's sprawling estate in Riceboro, Georgia is shaping into full-wedding form Friday, and the latest images show tables and chairs set along a body of water with what looks like a special table for the bride and groom right next to the piano.

If that weren't enough, there's a barge floating in the middle of the water chock full off fireworks ready to light up the night sky once the sun goes down, though it's unclear which night the show will happen.

Ben and Jen's celebrity friends, including Matt Damon have also started to arrive in GA ... and it looks like they're in for a real treat once the festivities begin.

What was initially billed as a weekend bash for family and friends is clearly a much bigger event ... with all the makings of a dream wedding.

Ben's Georgia estate, which was supposed to serve as the wedding location 20 years ago when he and J Lo first got engaged, also has a huge marquee on the ground and a long aisle for his bride to walk down.

The spur-of-the-moment Las Vegas wedding looks like it will have nothing on Ben and Jen's second wedding when all is said and done.

It appears Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are setting up more than just a fancy party at his estate in Georgia, 'cause based on pics, it looks like a full-blown wedding is going to happen.

Ben's place in Riceboro, Georgia is crawling with activity Friday, with construction crews hard at work putting up a huge marquee on the grounds, which is connected to the main house by a very long aisle for J Lo to walk down in what we can only imagine will be a beautiful wedding dress.

The temporary structures going up at Ben's place aren't the only giveaway this star-studded weekend is more wedding than party, caterers and event crews keep showing up to the house in droves.

No sign of Ben and Jen at the house yet, but we already saw them Thursday in Savannah ... where they did some low-key shopping in town.

As we told you, Bennifer 2.0 is welcoming their closest friends and family to a weekend celebration at Ben's estate, which was supposed to serve as the location for their wedding 20 years ago when they first got engaged.