Security at the entrance to Hampton Island in Georgia was tight Saturday as workers arrived early to prepare for Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck walking down the aisle at his plantation-style estate later in the day.
Two security guards sat at the entrance to the island, checking the IDS for anyone entering Affleck’s 87-acre property.
After checking, they handed out white paper wristbands while a police officer sat nearby in a car with Liberty County Sheriff on it.
Workers were seen wearing suits arriving at their rear passenger side window along with some trucks arriving just after 11:30am. Among them was a truck marked Savannah Vintage, a lighting and furniture company.
The couple got engaged in April.
Security forces surrounded Ben Affleck’s 87-acre home on Hampton Island, Georgia Saturday morning.BACKGRID
They were engaged in 2002 but split in 2004. Affleck, 50, married actress Jennifer Garner, with whom he has three children – Violet, 16, Seraphina, 13, and Samuel, 10 – and Lopez, 53. She eventually married singer Marc Anthony, with whom she had twins Emme and Max, 14.
A couple of trucks arrived just before 11:30 am. (Kevin C. Downs for The New York Post)
Security put armbands on everyone at the gates.BACKGRID
Preparations at the property have reportedly been underway since July.BACKGRID
A neighbor told the Post that preparations for the three-day wedding celebration had been underway since July. “It’s non-stop,” said the neighbor. “Basically catering and equipment. They’ve brought in dirt, tents, and horses. Many horses.”
“They used to be out here a lot before,” said neighbor Richard Dasher, 49, referring to the Hollywood couple. “They used to come and go.”
“I know they’ve been working on this for four months,” he said of the wedding, adding he’s “good friends” with a caretaker on the property.
An altar was seen under construction along the riverbank as workers tended the sprawling property.TheImageDirect.com
An aerial view of the Georgia mansion.TheImageDirect.com
A worker told the Post he has been working at the property since March. “Man, I worked my butt on this property,” he said. “I’ve cleaned up, trimmed trees, bushes, anything blocking the view of the lake and house.”
Dasher told the Post that a parade of unmarked trucks and vans had been en route to the property for the past week.
“No big deal,” said another neighbor, who asked not to be named. “They are just people like us. I like her and her job. They’re good at what they do, but I’m not thrilled. I know they cleaned up a lot and rented some next to each other.”
The couple previously confirmed their Las Vegas wedding. On The JLo
The couple first got engaged in 2002. On The JLo
The neighbor said her mother met Affleck about 15 years ago.
“She was overwhelmed. She said, “Hey, how are you?” He said, ‘Fine and you?’”
Joey Norris, a Riceboro resident, said he would love to meet Lopez.
“You’ve tried it before, haven’t you? Wasn’t in love anymore. Better luck this time.”