Jennifer Lopez and husband Ben Affleck have been dominating the headlines over the last few weeks after the release of her gushy autobiographical film and new album about their love story. But insiders say that Ben’s ex, Jennifer Garner, is also gearing up for her own happy ever after, and is secretly planning to tie the knot with long-term boyfriend John Miller.

And now insiders tell Closer that Jennifer, 51 – who shares children Violet Anne, 18, Seraphina Rose, 15, and Samuel, 12, with Ben, 51 – feels strongly that she doesn’t want J-Lo, 54, there to steal the limelight.

jennifer garner
jen out and about in february ©Getty Images: Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

The source says, “John and Jen have quietly been engaged for a while now, they’ve just been very hesitant to make it public because they don’t want to deal with the frenzy it’s going to cause. Right now, the plan is to have it this summer and keep it very low key, which obviously it won’t be if J-Lo shows up.”

13 Going On 30 star Jennifer met businessman John, 46, back in 2018, three years after her divorce from Ben. But former spouses Jen and Ben have remained close since their split, and Jen has come to value J-Lo for step-parenting her kids. The pair were even seen on a joint outing last month.

jennifer lopez and ben affleck
bennifer together in 2023 ©Getty Images: thecelebrityfinder/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

The wedding rumours come at a time when all eyes are back on Jen and Ben’s marriage, following the release of J-Lo’s £15 million movie This Is Me… Now. Released the day after Valentine’s day, the film – which the singer personally funded – was described as an “introspective retrospective of Jennifer’s resilient heart” and follows J-Lo’s failed previous marriages and her status as a lover of love.

The film features cameo appearances from entertainment royalty: Keke Palmer, Trevor Noah and even Ben himself, who appeared as a news presenter in a wig and prosthetics. Unfortunately for J-Lo, however, the project did not have the dramatic impact she’d hoped for, and was met with lukewarm reviews from “baffled” critics and viewers.

Closer magazine


Closer magazine ©Closer magazine

With Jennifer and Ben’s children naturally wanting to get involved in their mum’s big day, Jennifer is happy for her ex-husband to be there too. According to our insider, Jennifer wants to opt for a Los Angeles wedding that’s not “huge or ostentatious”, and she’s worried that won’t be possible with J-Lo there.

The source continues, “It’s not that Jennifer’s threatened by her, but the fact is they just don’t have any sort of bond. It’s her special day and Jen just wants people there who she is very close to. It’s put Ben in a very tough spot because he wants to be there for his kids, but there’s just no way J-Lo is going to accept this without making a huge fuss. Fact is, if Jen wants Ben there she may have to give in and invite J-Lo too, just to keep the peace.”