The Unexpected Timeline: 5 Key Moments That Defined When Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds Started Dating

The question of "when did Blake and Ryan start dating" is more complex than a simple date, involving an awkward double date, a superhero flop, and a friendship that unexpectedly blossomed into Hollywood's most beloved power couple. As of December 18, 2025, the story of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds remains a masterclass in modern romance, constantly in the news—most recently due to a high-profile legal battle surrounding Lively's film It Ends With Us, which shows their professional lives are as interlinked as their personal ones. Their journey from co-stars on the set of the 2010 film Green Lantern to a family of six is a timeline filled with intentional privacy, hilarious public trolling, and a foundation built on a genuine, deep friendship.

The definitive answer to when the romance officially began is the Fall of 2011, nearly a year after they first met. What makes their origin story unique is that they were both dating other people when they first realized their connection, turning a casual friendship into a life-changing relationship that has captivated fans for over a decade. This deep dive explores the exact moments that cemented their status as a couple, their careers, and the latest headlines keeping them in the spotlight.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds: Complete Biography Profiles

To fully appreciate their union, it's essential to look at the individuals who formed this iconic partnership. Their separate careers and backgrounds laid the groundwork for a powerful, entrepreneurial Hollywood couple.

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Blake Lively Profile

• Full Name: Blake Ellender Lively (née Brown)
• Born: August 25, 1987
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Parents: Ernie Lively (actor) and Elaine Lively (talent manager)
• Breakthrough Role: Bridget Vreeland in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
• Iconic Role: Serena van der Woodsen in the TV series Gossip Girl (2007–2012)
• Other Notable Films: The Town, Savages, A Simple Favor, The Age of Adaline
• Other Ventures: Launched the lifestyle website Preserve (now defunct), now focusing on directing and producing.

Ryan Reynolds Profile

• Full Name: Ryan Rodney Reynolds
• Born: October 23, 1976
• Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Parents: James "Jim" Chester Reynolds (food wholesaler) and Tammy Reynolds (retail saleswoman)
• Breakthrough Role: Van Wilder in National Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002)
• Iconic Role: Wade Wilson / Deadpool in the Deadpool film series (2016–present)
• Other Notable Films: The Proposal, Just Friends, Free Guy, The Adam Project
• Other Ventures: Co-owner of Aviation American Gin, Mint Mobile, and Wrexham A.F.C. (soccer team).

The Definitive Timeline: From Co-Stars to Couple

The relationship between Lively and Reynolds is often cited as a classic example of a "friends-to-lovers" story. While they met in 2010, the romantic spark took time to ignite, making the official "start dating" date a bit of a slow burn.

1. July 2010: The Green Lantern Meet-Cute

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds first crossed paths in 2010 on the set of the superhero film Green Lantern. Lively played Carol Ferris, the love interest of Reynolds' character, Hal Jordan. At the time, Reynolds was married to actress Scarlett Johansson, and Lively was dating her Gossip Girl co-star Penn Badgley. Despite their on-screen chemistry, they maintained a platonic friendship throughout filming and the subsequent press tour. Reynolds would later famously refer to the movie as the "best date movie" because it brought them together, even if the film itself was a critical and commercial disappointment.

2. Fall 2011: The Awkward Double Date That Changed Everything

The transition from friends to romantic partners happened after both actors had ended their respective relationships. Reynolds divorced Johansson in July 2011, and Lively split from Badgley earlier that year. The pivotal moment occurred when they went on a double date—but not with each other. They were each on a date with other people, but, as Reynolds recounted, they realized the chemistry was undeniable. He described it as "the most awkward date for the respective parties because we were just like fireworks coming across." This event in the Fall of 2011 is the widely accepted period when they officially began dating.

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3. September 2012: The Secret South Carolina Wedding

After less than a year of dating, the couple surprised the world by getting married in a private, secret ceremony on September 9, 2012. The wedding took place at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Lively wore a custom Marchesa gown, and the event was kept so under wraps that the first photos were only revealed through an exclusive deal with Martha Stewart Weddings. This commitment less than two years after starting their romance highlighted the seriousness of their bond, rooted in their initial friendship.

The Evolution of a Power Couple: Family, Trolling, and New Ventures

Since their wedding, the couple has become famous not just for their film careers but for their highly private family life and their legendary public dynamic, characterized by relentless and hilarious social media trolling.

The Reynolds-Lively Family: James, Inez, Betty, and the Fourth Child

The couple has four children, all daughters, and are famously protective of their privacy, rarely sharing photos of their children's faces. However, they have shared their unique names:

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• James Reynolds: Born December 2014.
• Inez Reynolds: Born September 2016.
• Betty Reynolds: Born October 2019. Her name was famously revealed in Taylor Swift's song "Betty," which also features the names of her sisters.
• Fourth Daughter: Born in February 2023. Her name has not been officially confirmed, but she is their fourth child.

The names James, Inez, and Betty have become common entities in discussions about the family, showing the depth of their private life that occasionally intersects with pop culture.

The Art of the Troll: Their Public Persona

A key element of their topical authority is their relationship dynamic, which plays out through witty, often brutal, but always loving social media jabs. This constant, public "trolling" is a testament to the fact that they are best friends first. Iconic examples include:

• Birthday Posts: For Lively’s 30th birthday, Reynolds posted a photo of them together but cropped half of her out, captioning it with just "Happy Birthday to my amazing wife." Lively retaliated by posting a photo of Ryan Gosling and Reynolds, cropping out her husband.
• Movie Promotions: When Lively was promoting A Simple Favor, she playfully wondered on social media if it would "count as cheating" if she ran off with co-star Anna Kendrick.

This humorous back-and-forth has cemented their status as a relatable, modern couple, making their relationship feel fresh and unique even a decade later.

Latest Updates: Blake and Ryan in the December 2025 Headlines

The couple continues to make headlines, demonstrating that their influence extends well beyond the question of when they started dating. In late 2025, they were involved in significant, current news regarding Blake Lively's film adaptation of the novel It Ends With Us, which she stars in and executive produces.

Recent reports, as of December 2025, indicate that a major lawsuit involving the film's director, Justin Baldoni, and the Reynolds-Lively couple has been thrown out by a US court. The legal battle, which allegedly involved claims of defamation and a "secret PR attack," brought their names and business dealings into the public eye. The ongoing discussions around this legal drama and its impact on the film's production highlight the couple's current status as powerful industry players, not just celebrity figures.

From a 2010 film set to a 2011 romance, a 2012 wedding, and 2025 legal drama, the relationship between Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds is a continuous narrative. Their story began with a friendship that survived an awkward double date, proving that the best love stories often start when you least expect them to.