Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' plantation wedding faces renewed backlash amid Baldoni lawsuit

They face renewed backlash over their 2012 wedding at Boone Hall Plantation, tied to slavery history.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ 2012 wedding at Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens in South Carolina has come under renewed scrutiny, following backlash regarding its historical connection to slavery.

The plantation, known for its preserved slave cabins and cotton fields, was a site of forced labor during the 19th century. The couple's choice of this venue for their nuptials sparked criticism, with many accusing them of glamorizing a location tied to the brutal history of Black slavery.

In a 2020 interview, Reynolds called their choice of venue a "giant f***ing mistake" and expressed deep regret, acknowledging the plantation’s painful history. He described the wedding location as something they had originally seen on Pinterest, not fully understanding its significance at the time. Reynolds also admitted that the shame they felt led them to marry again in a private ceremony at their New York home.

Despite the controversy, Lively and Reynolds have since worked to address the criticism by publicly supporting causes such as the Black Lives Matter movement and donating millions to organizations like the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Reynolds emphasized the importance of challenging lifelong social conditioning and fostering diversity and representation, particularly within Hollywood. His production company, Maximum Effort, created the Group Effort initiative to support underrepresented communities in the film industry.

The controversy surrounding their wedding has resurfaced amid the couple's ongoing legal dispute with Justin Baldoni, with their past choices and actions now under greater public examination.