Ben Foden has tied the knot with his girlfriend of two weeks – Jackie Belanoff Smith – one year after splitting from Una Healy, with whom he shares two kids.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the rugby ace, 34, shared a lengthy caption alongside a series of romantic shots from the big day, which he revealed went ahead after forgiving Una, 37, gave her blessing despite his infidelities.
In his reveal, he wrote: ‘People will say we are mad or even fools, as @snackyjax and I had only been dating seriously for a little over 2 weeks before deciding to get married. But when someone like her comes in to your life, why would I wait?’
Sweet: Ben Foden has tied the knot with his girlfriend of two weeks Jackie Belanoff Smith – one year after splitting from his ex-wife Una Healy
In images from the day, Ben and his new wife were dressed in formal attire, as he donned a sharp navy shirt and a pair of slim-fitting white chino trousers.
While Jackie looked radiant in an elegant figure-hugging gold floor-length gown with glitzy silver straps, accessorised with a silver watch and gold bangle.
Celebrations were in order, as in one shot the couple sipped on bubbly from champagne flutes while still on board the yacht.
A friend of the couple stood aboard the vessel taking snaps of Ben and his partner as they appeared to say their vows while stood in front of an ‘officiant’.
Here comes the couple of two weeks! The duo flashed their rings as they got to the top of the ‘aisle’ – which happened to be the deck of an idyllic yacht
Former flame: Ben was previously married to ex Una, who is the mother of his two children, Tadhg, four, and Aoife, seven (the couple, pictured in May last year)
Great times! Their witness on the big day was Jackie’s sister (pictured), who Ben thanked in his lengthy caption on the shot
In another snap the duo were then clinched in a passionate embrace, while another saw them strolling towards a yacht together, walking hand-in-hand.
Ben later revealed that he was headed to New York, as he reminisced over the day, adding: ‘And just like that it’s over, bye Nantucket until next year.’
Ben has so far kept his romance out of the spotlight and was yet to share any images of himself with Jackie on social media until Sunday.
Idyllic: The couple looked to be in heaven on the big day
Happy days: Ben joyously stated that Jackie would make a good step-mum to his and Una’s two kids (pictured in July 2017)
Una, is the mother of his two children, Tadhg, four, and Aoife, seven, however the couple split in July 2018 after he was romantically linked to a PR girl.
Ben confirmed he did cheat on wife Una during their six-year marriage, but insists his infidelity was one of many reasons for the couple’s subsequent divorce.
Ben’s tattered reputation suffered a further blow in 2018 after he used dating app Bumble to publicly announce his separation from the former Saturday’s star.
Adding a short introductory bio alongside a series of brooding selfies, the rugby player insisted he was looking for someone who ‘wasn’t bossy’ – widely perceived as a dig at his ex-wife.
Married? The previous day, the couple sparked speculation over their nuptials
Intimate: They looked incredibly happy in the snaps from their big day
‘Heading Stateside in December,’ he wrote. ‘Never believe in making plans, let’s just see what happens and how things go.
‘If you’re uptight and bossy I’m not for you. Getting divorced. 2 little people who are my world.’
But Ben admits Una was already aware of the Bumble account, and incredibly even helped him create his own public profile on the popular app.
Loved-up: In another snap the duo were then clinched in a passionate embrace, while another saw them strolling towards a yacht together, walking hand-in-hand
Meanwhile, Una has moved on from the breakdown of their marriage and is currently loved-up with her new boyfriend, Irish hurler, David Breen, 33.
Following the split, Rugby play Ben, who now lives on America’s east coast, insisted he isn’t entirely to blame for the end of their marriage.
He told The Guardian: ‘At the moment anything that’s published about me is never very good and pretty rightly so because I was the one who committed adultery.
Special: Ben has remained cryptic on his social media posts, however he has shared gushing snaps of himself kissing his partner and claimed that it was a ‘special’ day
‘At the same time, it wasn’t the only reason for our divorce to go through. It’s not ideal, but we’re very amicable, we’re getting through it, we’re not the first people in the world to get divorced. We’ve got two little kids we adore.’
However, Ben confessed one of the big drawbacks of being in the United States was being away from his children daughter Aoife, seven, and four-year old son Tadhg.
He said: ‘It’s hard because I’m away from my son and daughter. But I know they’re in a great and loving environment with Una, because she’s a great mum. We never argue about that.’
Until next time! Ben later revealed that he was headed to New York, as he reminisced over the day, adding: ‘And just like that it’s over, bye Nantucket until next year’