5 Shocking Truths About Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds' Plantation Wedding Mistake

The 2012 wedding of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds was, for years, seen as a picture of celebrity romance, a lavish event held at the stunning Boone Hall Plantation in South Carolina. However, as of today, December 12, 2025, the narrative surrounding the event has shifted dramatically, moving from a fairytale to a widely acknowledged and deeply regretted "giant f***ing mistake." The couple's journey from choosing a controversial venue to becoming vocal advocates for anti-racism offers a powerful, albeit complex, case study in celebrity accountability and the painful legacy of historical sites. This article dives deep into the details of the controversy, the couple's response, and the lasting impact on their public image and philanthropic efforts.

The core of the issue lies in the venue itself: Boone Hall Plantation, a site with a documented history tied to the enslavement of Black people, which critics argue romanticizes a brutal past by hosting celebratory events like weddings. Following intense public scrutiny and a global reckoning on racial justice, the Hollywood power couple issued a comprehensive apology, detailing their shame and committing to substantial anti-racism work—a critical step in addressing the systemic issues their initial choice inadvertently highlighted.

Blake Lively: Biographical Profile and Career Highlights

Blake Ellender Brown, known professionally as Blake Lively, is an American actress, director, and entrepreneur who rose to prominence with her roles in major film and television productions.

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• Full Name: Blake Ellender Brown
• Date of Birth: August 25, 1987
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Spouse: Ryan Reynolds (m. 2012)
• Children: Four daughters (James, Inez, Betty, and one unnamed as of late 2024)
• Notable Roles: Serena van der Woodsen in *Gossip Girl* (2007–2012), *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants* (2005), *The Town* (2010), *The Age of Adaline* (2015), and *A Simple Favor* (2018).
• Parents: Ernie Lively (father) and Elaine Lively (mother), both involved in the entertainment industry.
• Other Ventures: Founder of the non-alcoholic mixer company, Betty Buzz.

The 2012 Boone Hall Wedding: A 'Giant F***ing Mistake'

The wedding ceremony between the *Gossip Girl* star and the *Deadpool* actor took place in September 2012, a highly private and exclusive affair that was initially celebrated for its picturesque setting. The venue was Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, near Charleston.

The Problem with the 'Historic' Venue

Boone Hall is one of America's oldest working plantations, dating back to 1681. While it features a beautiful "Avenue of Oaks" and a waterfront "Cotton Dock" often used for events, it is also a site of immense historical trauma.

• The Slave Cabins: The property features nine historic, preserved slave cabins, constructed between 1790 and 1810. These structures now house a Black History in America Exhibit, detailing the lives and brutal conditions of the enslaved people who lived and worked on the land.
• The Romanticization of Trauma: Critics, including many anti-racism advocates and organizations, argue that hosting a lavish, joyous event like a wedding at a plantation—a site of violence, forced labor, and systemic racism—is a profound act of historical ignorance and romanticization.
• The Wedding Industry's Role: The controversy also cast a harsh spotlight on the wedding industry, which for years profited by marketing these properties as charming, antebellum backdrops without acknowledging the human cost.

The couple faced significant criticism, particularly after the 2020 resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and the killing of George Floyd, which prompted a global re-evaluation of systemic racism and historical symbols. It was during this period that Ryan Reynolds publicly addressed the event with profound regret.

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The Couple's Unreserved Apology and Commitment to Anti-Racism

In 2020, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds addressed the controversy head-on, acknowledging the severity of their mistake and the pain it caused. Their response was marked by transparency and a commitment to action, which is what makes their case a unique example of celebrity accountability.

Ryan Reynolds' Public Statement of Shame

In a candid 2020 interview, Ryan Reynolds referred to the decision to marry at Boone Hall as a "giant f***ing mistake." He elaborated that the shame was "deeply and unreservedly" felt, explaining that what they saw at the time was a "wedding venue" on Pinterest, not a site of historical oppression. He stressed that the couple had to "repattern" their perspective and understand how deeply rooted systemic racism is.

The Philanthropic Shift and Donations

The couple backed their words with significant financial contributions and a public commitment to learning about and fighting systemic racism.

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• NAACP Legal Defense Fund: Lively and Reynolds announced a $200,000 donation to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense Fund. This donation was made amid the protests following George Floyd’s death, signaling their immediate desire to contribute to the fight for racial justice.
• Vocal Advocacy: Beyond the financial donations, they have used their massive social media platforms to educate their audience, promote Black voices, and encourage others to confront their own unconscious biases and historical blind spots.

The Symbolic Move: A New York Sanctuary

While the Boone Hall ceremony remains a permanent part of their history, the couple has intentionally cultivated a life far removed from the controversial setting. They now primarily reside in a secluded, idyllic country estate in Pound Ridge, New York.

Distancing from the Past

The move to their New York home, a property they purchased in 2012, the same year as their wedding, became their private sanctuary. Reports suggest that as part of their efforts to symbolically and practically distance themselves from the painful memory of the plantation wedding, they held a private, intimate ceremony at their New York residence. This act served as a private recommitment, shifting the focus of their union from a historically tainted location to their personal, family-centered home life.

The Legacy of Accountability

The *Blake Lively plantation wedding* controversy serves as a stark reminder of the need for historical awareness, especially for public figures whose choices can normalize or romanticize sites of oppression. Their subsequent actions—the unreserved apology, the significant anti-racism donations, and the public commitment to education—have set a new standard for celebrity accountability in the face of a genuine mistake. The evolution of their story is a testament to the fact that while mistakes cannot be erased, they can be acknowledged, learned from, and actively atoned for through sustained effort and philanthropy.