Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds: The Wedding, The Controversy, and Their Life in New York
NEW YORK, January 23, 2026 – Over a decade after their secret nuptials, the wedding of Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds remains a topic of public fascination, not only for its romantic details but for the significant controversy it ignited. The couple’s choice of a former plantation as their venue led to years of scrutiny and a profound public reckoning, shaping their advocacy and personal growth in the years that followed.
The Secret 2012 Ceremony
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds married in a tightly guarded ceremony on September 9, 2012, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Planned with the help of Martha Stewart Weddings, the event was an intimate affair for approximately 70 guests, who were required to check their phones. The bride wore a custom Marchesa gown with a silk tulle skirt and rose gold embroidery, designed by Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, while the groom wore a bespoke Burberry suit. The reception featured a performance by Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine and a lavish dessert spread. In a now-famous anecdote, Lively revealed her dress was accidentally burned by a sparkler during the reception, a mark her husband later reframed as a beautiful memory.
The Venue Controversy & A Public Reckoning
The couple’s venue, Boone Hall Plantation, is a historic site that includes “Slave Street,” a row of nine preserved slave cabins dating from the 1790s. The choice to hold a celebration at a location with such a painful history drew immediate and recurring criticism. The scrutiny intensified during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.
In June 2020, Lively and Reynolds issued a joint statement on Instagram, expressing shame for having been “uninformed about how deeply rooted systemic racism is.” They acknowledged their “mistakes” and “complicity” and announced a $200,000 donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Reynolds later called the venue choice “a giant mistake” in an interview, revealing they had quietly renewed their vows at home years later. Pinterest subsequently banned images of plantation weddings from its platform.
Key Facts: Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Wedding Date | September 9, 2012 |
| Wedding Location | Boone Hall Plantation, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina |
| Children | Four: Daughters James, Inez, Betty, and a son |
| Primary Residence | Pound Ridge, New York (estate purchased in 2012) |
| City Residence | Tribeca, Manhattan apartment (purchased 2017) |
| 2020 Apology & Action | Joint statement, $200K donation to NAACP LDF, vow renewal at home |
Life After “I Do”
Now parents to four children, Lively and Reynolds split their time between two New York properties. Their primary home is a seven-bedroom estate on over 11 acres in Pound Ridge, Westchester County, which they purchased in 2012 for a reported $5.7 million. The rustic property features a converted barn and offers the family privacy. For their time in Manhattan, they own a loft in the exclusive 443 Greenwich Street building in Tribeca, a converted 19th-century bookbindery with amenities like a lap pool and roof deck, where neighbors have included Jennifer Lawrence and Harry Styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds choose a plantation for their wedding?
In a 2020 interview, Ryan Reynolds stated they found the venue on Pinterest and saw only a “wedding venue” at the time, not fully comprehending the historical weight of the location. He later expressed deep regret, calling it a failure to understand the “devastating tragedy” upon which the site was built.
Did the couple apologize for their wedding venue?
Yes. In June 2020, they issued a detailed joint statement on Instagram apologizing for being “uninformed,” donated $200,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and committed to anti-racism education. Reynolds has since called the choice a mistake they “will always be deeply and unreservedly sorry for.”
Is it true Blake Lively burned her wedding dress?
Yes. During the reception, a sparkler burned a mark onto the front of her Marchesa gown. While initially upset, she later said Reynolds helped her see it as a preserved memory of the moment, making it her “favorite part of the dress.”
Where do Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds live now?
The family primarily lives in a private estate in Pound Ridge, New York. They also maintain an apartment in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan for when they are in New York City.