The Secret Date: When Did Ryan Reynolds And Blake Lively Actually Get Married? (And The Controversial Story They Want You To Know)

The question of "When did Ryan Reynolds marry Blake Lively?" is one of Hollywood's most enduring mysteries, not because the date is unknown, but because the story surrounding their 2012 wedding has evolved dramatically in the years since. As of December 11, 2025, the official and exact date the beloved couple tied the knot remains September 9, 2012. This intimate ceremony, which took place less than a year after their relationship began, was initially celebrated for its secrecy and picturesque setting, but it has since become a pivotal moment in their public life, prompting a major public apology and a quiet re-commitment to a more meaningful celebration. This article dives deep into the timeline of their romance, the hidden details of their iconic wedding day, the significant controversy surrounding the venue, and the subsequent actions the couple has taken to address a "huge mistake" and build a legacy of activism and philanthropy.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds: A Complete Biographical Snapshot

Before exploring the wedding details, here is a quick look at the two stars who form one of Hollywood's most powerful and private couples, known equally for their successful careers and their famous social media trolling.

• Ryan Reynolds (Husband)
  • Full Name: Ryan Rodney Reynolds
  • Born: October 23, 1976 (Age 49 in 2025)
  • Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • Occupation: Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Entrepreneur (Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile, Wrexham AFC)
  • Notable Films/TV: *Deadpool* franchise, *The Proposal*, *Free Guy*, *Green Lantern*, *Just Friends*
  • Previous Marriage: Scarlett Johansson (2008–2011)
• Blake Lively (Wife)
  • Full Name: Blake Ellender Lively (née Brown)
  • Born: August 25, 1987 (Age 38 in 2025)
  • Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Occupation: Actress, Model, Director
  • Notable Films/TV: *Gossip Girl* (Serena van der Woodsen), *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants*, *A Simple Favor*, *The Age of Adaline*
  • Previous Relationships: Penn Badgley, Leonardo DiCaprio
• The Family: The couple shares four children: three daughters—James (born 2014), Inez (born 2016), and Betty (born 2019)—and a fourth child (son Olin, born 2023).

The Secret Wedding: Date, Location, and Marchesa Dress

The romance between Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds began in a surprisingly conventional way: on the set of a box-office flop. They first met in 2010 while filming the superhero movie *Green Lantern*, where Reynolds played the titular role and Lively co-starred as Carol Ferris. Although they were both dating other people at the time, they quickly became close friends. Their relationship turned romantic in 2011, and they began dating shortly after. A year later, they shocked Hollywood with a famously private and intimate ceremony.

The Exact Wedding Date and Venue

The couple officially married on Sunday, September 9, 2012. The ceremony was held at the picturesque Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, near Charleston County. The venue, a historic site known for its stunning Avenue of Oaks, was chosen for its aesthetic beauty. The event was a small, private affair attended by approximately 35 guests, maintaining a high level of secrecy that was a hallmark of their early relationship. The planning was handled by the *Martha Stewart Weddings* team, though the magazine later faced scrutiny for featuring the wedding without fully addressing the venue's history.

Hidden Details of the Ceremony

Despite the intense privacy, a few details from the day have surfaced over the years, painting a picture of a deeply personal celebration:

• The Dress: Blake Lively wore a custom Marchesa gown by designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig. The dress was a silk tulle bridal ball gown featuring a fitted bodice, rose-gold embroidery, and crystal beading.
• The Disaster: A minor catastrophe occurred when a sparkler at the reception burned a hole in Blake’s dress. She has since reflected on the moment, saying the imperfection made the dress and the memory more special.
• The Music: Florence Welch, of the band Florence + the Machine (a close friend of Lively's), performed at the reception.
• The Rings: Blake's engagement ring is a stunning 12-carat oval-cut diamond set on a rose-gold pavé band, reportedly worth over $2 million.

The Controversy and The Couple's Public Apology (A Fresh Perspective)

While the wedding date is fixed in 2012, the story's most significant and "current" chapter revolves around the venue's controversy. The choice of Boone Hall Plantation, a site that historically housed enslaved African Americans, drew significant backlash years later, particularly after the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Acknowledging the "Huge Mistake"

In 2020, years after the wedding, Ryan Reynolds publicly addressed the issue, calling the choice of venue a "huge mistake". He stated that the couple deeply regretted the decision, which they initially viewed solely through the lens of a beautiful setting they saw on Pinterest. "It’s something we’ll always be deeply and unreservedly sorry for," Reynolds told *Fast Company*. "What we saw at the time was a wedding venue on Pinterest. What we saw after was a place built upon devastating tragedy." This public acknowledgment was crucial, moving the narrative from a simple celebrity wedding to a discussion about historical awareness and social responsibility.

Actions Over Words: The Private Re-Commitment

The couple’s response went beyond a simple apology. They revealed that they had privately re-married at their home, effectively replacing the controversial ceremony with a more meaningful, private event. More significantly, they have committed to substantial activism and philanthropy to address the systemic issues highlighted by their mistake.

• Financial Commitment: In 2020, Ryan and Blake announced a $200,000 donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
• Ongoing Activism: They have continued to use their significant platform to advocate for social justice, anti-racism, and diversity in the film industry, setting a new standard for celebrity accountability.
• The Children's Names: Their choice of children's names—James, Inez, and Betty—has also been a source of public fascination, with many speculating on the personal significance of each name.

Ultimately, while Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively married on September 9, 2012, the true story of their union is defined less by that initial date and more by their ongoing, public efforts to learn from their past and use their influence for positive change. Their marriage remains one of the strongest in Hollywood, built on a foundation of shared humor, family values, and, now, a clear commitment to social justice. The story of their wedding serves as a powerful reminder that even private life choices can have public, historical consequences, and that true partnership involves growing together and righting past wrongs.