The Definitive Timeline: 5 Key Moments That Answer 'When Did Ryan And Blake Start Dating?'

The question of when did Ryan and Blake start dating is a common curiosity, largely because their love story reads more like a Hollywood rom-com than a celebrity relationship. As of December 18, 2025, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are one of the most stable and beloved couples in the industry, renowned for their witty social media trolling and genuine family focus. Their relationship, which began in late 2011, has blossomed into a powerhouse marriage spanning over a decade, but the journey from co-stars to soulmates was anything but typical.

This deep dive into the Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively relationship timeline will uncover the exact moment their friendship turned romantic, the unique circumstances of their first date, and the major milestones that solidified their place as Hollywood royalty. We'll trace their path from the set of a critically panned superhero film to their current roles as doting parents of four and successful business moguls.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds: A Biographical Snapshot

Before diving into their dating timeline, understanding the context of where they were in their respective careers and personal lives provides essential background. Both actors were coming off high-profile relationships when their paths first crossed.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Ryan Reynolds (Born: October 23, 1976)
  • Career Highlights: Starred in *Van Wilder*, *The Proposal*, *Deadpool* franchise, *Free Guy*. Co-owner of Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile, and Wrexham AFC.
  • Previous Relationship: Was married to actress Scarlett Johansson from 2008 to 2011.
  • Current Status (2025): Continues to be one of Hollywood's highest-paid and most marketable stars, balancing acting with a substantial entrepreneurial portfolio.
• Blake Lively (Born: August 25, 1987)
  • Career Highlights: Starred as Serena van der Woodsen in *Gossip Girl*, *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants*, *A Simple Favor*, and the upcoming *It Ends with Us*. Founder of the lifestyle brand Preserve (now defunct) and beverage company Betty Buzz.
  • Previous Relationship: Dated her *Gossip Girl* co-star Penn Badgley from 2007 to 2010.
  • Current Status (2025): A successful actress and entrepreneur, known for her impeccable fashion sense and focus on family life.

1. The Beginning: Meeting on the Set of *Green Lantern* (2010)

The foundation of their romance was laid in 2010, not in a dazzling New York City apartment, but on the set of the DC Comics film *Green Lantern*.

Ryan Reynolds played the titular superhero, Hal Jordan, while Blake Lively starred as his childhood sweetheart and love interest, Carol Ferris.

Despite playing a couple on screen, there was no immediate romantic spark. At the time of filming, Blake was still dating Penn Badgley, and Ryan was still married to Scarlett Johansson.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

Reynolds later described their initial connection as simply "buddies." They spent time together, often traveling to film the movie, but the relationship was purely platonic. This crucial period of friendship, free from romantic pressure, is what both credit for the strength of their eventual relationship.

2. The Pivotal Moment: The Infamous 'Double Date' (Late 2011)

The answer to "when did Ryan and Blake start dating" is definitively late 2011, but the story of their first date is legendary in Hollywood circles and a crucial turning point.

About a year after *Green Lantern* had wrapped, both actors found themselves single. They decided to go on a double date—but with other people.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

Ryan Reynolds famously recounted the story, explaining: "We went on a double date; she was on a date with another guy, and I was on a date with another girl."

He continued that the date was incredibly awkward for the other two people because he and Blake were generating their own sparks. Reynolds knew he was falling for her when he saw her across the restaurant. He said he had to "beg" her to sleep with him, which, in his words, meant "just a good old-fashioned sex romp."

This double date was the catalyst. Soon after, their relationship officially began. A source confirmed they were dating in October 2011, and they were spotted together frequently in Vancouver, Canada, Ryan's hometown.

3. The Secret Ceremony: The Charleston Wedding (September 9, 2012)

After less than a year of dating, the couple stunned the media by quietly getting married. The wedding took place on September 9, 2012, at Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina.

The ceremony was intimate and highly secretive, with only close friends and family in attendance. Blake wore a custom-designed Marchesa gown, and Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine performed.

While the wedding was a beautiful moment, the choice of a former slave plantation as the venue later drew controversy. The couple has since expressed deep regret and apologized for the choice, acknowledging the historical pain associated with the location, and have reportedly decided to have a second, more meaningful ceremony. This shows their commitment to growing and learning as a couple.

4. Family Expansion: The Arrival of James, Inez, Betty, and a Fourth Child (2014–2023)

The next major phase of their relationship centered on building their family. Their first child, a daughter named James (an unconventional name for a girl), was born in December 2014.

They welcomed their second daughter, Inez, in September 2016. The third daughter, Betty, arrived in 2019.

The names of their three daughters gained pop culture significance when their friend, global superstar Taylor Swift, used the names James, Inez, and Betty as characters in her song "Betty" on the album *Folklore*. This demonstrated the close-knit, private circle the couple maintains.

Blake Lively gave birth to their fourth child in early 2023. While the name and gender have been kept largely private, Ryan Reynolds has confirmed the baby's arrival, focusing on their preference for a large family and their commitment to raising their children away from the harsh spotlight of Hollywood.

5. Current Status: Balancing Blockbusters and Business (2024–2025)

As of December 2025, the couple remains one of the most powerful and enduring duos in the entertainment world, frequently making headlines for their supportive appearances and humorous online banter.

The year 2024 was packed with professional successes for both. Ryan Reynolds's highly anticipated film *Deadpool & Wolverine* was a major box office event, while Blake Lively received significant attention for her leading role in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel, *It Ends with Us*.

However, recent reports indicate that the couple has decided to step back from the intense Hollywood schedule in 2025.

They plan to decline major projects to focus on family life, a decision supported by their financial stability from their various business ventures, including Ryan's Aviation Gin and Mint Mobile, and Blake's Betty Buzz. This planned hiatus demonstrates their commitment to prioritizing their marriage and four children over their individual careers, ensuring their relationship remains as strong as ever.

The Enduring Power of Friendship

The answer to "when did Ryan and Blake start dating" is 2011, but the real story is that they started as friends in 2010. Their journey from co-stars to a couple who went on a disastrous double date with other people, to a married pair with four children, is a testament to the fact that sometimes, the best romantic relationships are rooted in a solid, unshakeable friendship. Their public displays of affection, often masked in playful insults, are a unique signature of their love, proving that laughter and mutual respect are the true foundations of a lasting Hollywood marriage.