J-Lo And A-Rod's Wedding: Date Set Or Still A Mystery?

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, also known as J-Rod, got engaged in 2019 but separated in 2021 before marrying. The couple first met in 1999 when Rodriguez asked Lopez for an autograph. They crossed paths again in 2005 at a Yankees game, but both were married at the time. They reconnected in 2017 and made their red carpet debut at the Met Gala. Despite their non-traditional beginnings, J-Rod's relationship was full of milestone moments, from their engagement to their fairy-tale vacation in Paris. However, the couple broke up in 2021, releasing a joint statement that they were better as friends.

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez's relationship timeline

2005:

Lopez and Rodriguez first met at a New York Yankee game in May 2005. At the time, both were married to other people. Lopez was with singer Marc Anthony, while Rodriguez was married to Cynthia Scurtis. Despite this initial meeting, they did not begin a relationship.

2017:

In April 2017, Lopez and Rodriguez reconnected by chance in a restaurant. Lopez told *Ellen DeGeneres* that she tapped Rodriguez on the shoulder, and he later texted her to ask her out to dinner. They began dating and soon made their relationship public, with Rodriguez confirming the rumours on *The View*. They made their red-carpet debut at the Met Gala in May 2017 and later attended the Robin Hood Benefit and the Vanity Fair Oscar Party together. They also blended their families, with Lopez sharing a photo on Instagram of her children bonding with Rodriguez's kids.

2018:

Lopez and Rodriguez continued to go from strength to strength in 2018, attending multiple events together, including the Time 100 Gala, the Latin Music Awards, the Met Gala (for the second time), and the Billboard Music Awards. They also attended the American Music Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards. In an interview with *Entertainment Tonight*, Lopez reflected on their relationship, saying that they were "so happy" and that their lives were "flowing in a really beautiful way".

2019:

In March 2019, Rodriguez proposed to Lopez while they were vacationing in the Bahamas. He presented her with a stunning emerald-cut diamond ring worth around $1 million. The couple then had an engagement party in September, sharing photos on social media. However, they were in no rush to get married, wanting to take their time and do it right. Lopez told *Entertainment Tonight*, "We really see this as something that's gonna be forever, and we're gonna just take our time and do it right. And do it not rushed."

2020:

Lopez and Rodriguez's wedding plans were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were forced to postpone their summer 2020 nuptials. They also supported each other in their professional endeavours, with Rodriguez cheering Lopez on during her Super Bowl LIV halftime performance.

2021:

In March 2021, the couple reportedly called off their engagement, but less than 24 hours later, they shared a joint statement saying that they were "working through some things". However, they officially broke up in April 2021, releasing a joint statement that read, "We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so. We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects." The split came after allegations of Rodriguez's infidelity with *Southern Charm* star Madison LeCroy. Lopez told *Allure* that she and Rodriguez had attended couple's therapy during the pandemic, but ultimately, she "couldn't fully trust him".

Their wedding postponement

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez's wedding postponement can be attributed to several factors, including their busy careers and the COVID-19 pandemic. The couple, who got engaged in 2019, initially planned to tie the knot in the summer of 2020. However, they were forced to postpone their destination wedding due to the pandemic, which caused significant disruptions to their lives and careers.

Lopez, a renowned singer and actress, and Rodriguez, a former professional baseball player, had to navigate the challenges of their high-profile careers while also dealing with the pandemic's impact on their wedding plans. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in February 2020, Lopez shared her thoughts on their wedding timeline, saying, "I said, 'If we're going to be together for the rest of our lives, what is the rush?'". This sentiment reflected their desire to take their time and prioritize their relationship and blended family.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted their plans, as they joined a long list of couples who had to indefinitely postpone their weddings due to the global health crisis. In May 2020, they confirmed the postponement, with Lopez stating, "Honestly, I really don't know what's going to happen now as far as dates or anything like that. We're just kind of in a holding pattern like the rest of the world." The uncertainty of the situation left them with no choice but to wait and see how the pandemic would unfold in the coming months.

The postponement allowed them to focus on their blended family and spend quality time with their children. In an interview, Rodriguez shared how quarantining during the pandemic was a "blessing" as it gave them the opportunity to have dinner with their children every night and strengthen their family bond.

Despite their initial plans for a quick engagement, the couple ultimately took their time with wedding planning, choosing to prioritize their relationship and family. This decision to postpone their wedding reflects their commitment to building a strong foundation for their future together.

Their engagement

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez's relationship started in 1998 when Rodriguez, then a young baseball pro, asked Lopez for her autograph. They met again in 2005 at a Yankees game, but both were married at the time. Twelve years later, in 2017, they reconnected and began dating.

Lopez and Rodriguez's first date was at the Marea restaurant in New York. They made their red-carpet debut at the Met Gala in 2017, and their first couples' trip was to Paris, France. They also attended the Robin Hood Benefit in New York together, and Lopez was spotted FaceTiming Rodriguez while on the set of her show, Shades of Blue.

In 2018, the couple attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party and the Time 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York. They also made their second Met Gala appearance, amping up the PDA.

On March 9, 2019, Rodriguez proposed to Lopez with a huge emerald-cut diamond ring while they were vacationing in the Bahamas. The ring is estimated to have cost around $1 million. Rodriguez revealed on The Tonight Show that he had planned the proposal for about six months and rehearsed it for three days straight.

Lopez and Rodriguez celebrated their engagement with a romantic party hosted by lyricist Carole Bayer Sager in Los Angeles. The couple shared photos from the party on social media, looking head over heels in love.

Their breakup

On March 12, 2021, it was reported that Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez had called off their engagement after four years together. However, the couple denied the news, stating that they were "working through some things".

A source close to Lopez told People that the couple wanted to "spend time in person to figure out their life together". They also added that Lopez and Rodriguez had "a lot of issues they hope they can work through".

Despite their efforts, the couple officially broke up and called off their engagement a month later, in April 2021. They announced their decision in a joint statement, saying:

> "We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so. We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects. We wish the best for each other and one another's children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have to say is thank you to everyone who has sent kind words and support."

Rodriguez later reflected on his relationship with Lopez, saying he had no regrets and that they "had a great time". He also praised Lopez, calling her "the most talented human being I've ever been around" and "the greatest performer, live performer, in the world today".

Their blended family

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez's blended family was often described as "cute" and "adorable". The couple each had two children from previous marriages. Lopez shared 11-year-old twins, Maximilian "Max" David and Emme Maribel, with ex-husband Marc Anthony, and Rodriguez shared daughters Ella, 10, and Natasha, 14, with ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis.

Lopez and Rodriguez's children got along well from the start and were eager for their parents to get married. "The kids are amazing together. And they have wanted Jennifer and Alex to get married for a long time," a source told People. "They will all definitely be a huge part of the wedding."

Lopez and Rodriguez often shared photos of their blended family on social media. In one post, Lopez wrote, "I've got two amazing kids and a great boyfriend. I don't have everything figured out, and everything isn't perfect. But I feel very proud that with all the things I've gone through in my personal life, I'm still optimistic and hopeful."

Rodriguez also spoke about his blended family in an interview, calling his children "the most important thing in my life." He said that he and his ex-wife explained their separation and new relationships to their children by framing it in a positive light. "We positioned what could be perceived as a negative into a positive, by saying to the girls, look, now you don't have one house, you have two houses. You don't have two parents, you have four parents. Lucky you, the more the merrier," he said.

Rodriguez added that managing his blended family "takes some navigating" but has made him a "more compassionate, more considerate" person.

Frequently asked questions