Full Breakdown
Backlash Over Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's Wedding Venue
1/24/2026, 4:11:50 AM
Controversial Wedding Venue
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively were married on September 9, 2012, at Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. This venue has faced significant criticism due to its historical ties to slavery, having operated as a slave labor camp where over 300 enslaved individuals lived and worked. The plantation features preserved slave cabins, known as Slave Street, which activists argue highlight the site's violent past and contradict its promotion as a romantic wedding venue.
Emergence of Backlash
The couple did not face immediate criticism for their choice of venue; however, backlash began to surface in 2018 when Reynolds publicly praised the film *Black Panther*. Critics pointed out the irony of his endorsement given his wedding location. One user on social media remarked, “You don’t think it’s even a little f***ed up to be all ‘Wakanda forever’ when you literally got married standing on dust from the bones of murdered slaves?” This sentiment intensified during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, prompting renewed scrutiny of their wedding venue.
Official Statements and Apologies
In response to the backlash, Reynolds and Lively publicly acknowledged their oversight regarding the plantation's history. Reynolds stated in a 2020 interview with *Fast Company*, “It’s impossible to reconcile... What we saw at the time was a wedding venue on Pinterest. What we saw after was a place built upon devastating tragedy.” The couple issued a joint apology on Instagram, expressing shame for their previous ignorance about systemic racism and committing to educate themselves and their children about these issues. They also donated $200,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in May 2020, following the death of George Floyd.
Accountability and Reflection
During a July 2025 deposition related to Lively's lawsuit against director Justin Baldoni, she addressed the negative press surrounding their wedding venue. Lively stated, “I feel like that negative press was deserved... It’s a mistake we have publicly acknowledged and done a lot of work to reconcile for ourselves and others.” She emphasized that both she and Reynolds take full accountability for their decision. Reynolds reiterated the importance of learning from their past, describing their wedding venue choice as a “giant f***ing mistake” that has led them to examine their values and social responsibilities.
Ongoing Legal Issues
The scrutiny surrounding their wedding venue has resurfaced amid Lively's ongoing legal battle with Baldoni, who she has accused of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. The couple's past choices continue to be a focal point in public discussions about celebrity accountability and the implications of historical contexts in personal decisions.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's wedding venue serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in public figures' personal choices. Their journey reflects a commitment to acknowledging past mistakes and fostering a deeper understanding of social issues.
