Kevin Costner And Ex-Wife Christine Baumgartner Took An Unconventional Approach To Their Ranch Wedding

In 2023, Kevin Costner made headlines following his messy divorce from Christine Baumgartner – his second wife, with whom he was married for almost 20 years. The Bodyguard alum was previously married to Cindy Silva – who reportedly caused the actor's second failed marriage.

Costner and Silva's 1994 divorce is one of the most expensive ones in Hollywood, with the latter getting an $80 million settlement. It's definitely a lot more than what Baumgartner received despite her splurge on the legal battle.

But looking back at their nuptials in 2004, everyone thought the second time was the charm for the actor, whose net worth was boosted by Yellowstone. Attended by 300-plus guests, the aptly themed ceremony was that year's most talked about wedding. Here's why.

Kevin Costner And Christine Baumgartner Had A 3-Day Ranch Wedding In 2004

On September 25, 2004, Costner and Baumgartner tied the knot at the former's Dunbar Ranch (named after his character in his Oscar-winning directorial debut, Dances With Wolves). The Robin Hood star bought the 160-acre property in 2000 for $30 million.

It's located just outside Aspen, Colorado. On-brand with Costner's aesthetic, the wedding was Western-themed. On the first day of the 3-day event, their 300-plus guests were treated to a welcome barbecue.

There was also a softball game and other outdoor activities you wouldn't expect at a wedding. Extra reported that Baumgartner – dressed in Monique Lhuillier – arrived in Costner's vintage green Chevy while The Rolling Stones' Brown Sugar (his favorite) played in the background. After their "I do's," the Perfect World alum took his bride on a canoe ride.

The former couple almost didn't get married. A year before their nuptials, they split over Costner's "fear" of commitment. He told Closer Weekly in June 2018: "Fear kept me from marrying Christine. [She] wanted a child, but I was afraid I couldn't be an effective father."

He continued: "I woke up and thought, 'Am I going to lose a beautiful woman who is willing to be with me to my very last breath because I am afraid to say yes to a child?' That's all it took. Sometimes you learn the thing you’re most afraid of will save your life."

Kevin Costner And Christine Baumgartner Welcomed Their First Child In 2007

via: Instar

Costner and Baumgartner had their firstborn, Cayden Wyatt (now 16), three years into their marriage. At that time, the Waterworld alum opened up about his concerns about being an old dad. "I hope I have as much energy for Cayden as I had for my first," he told People. "My fundamental fear is that my new baby, someone [else] will raise him, meaning that my life will end prematurely."

In 2009, Costner and Baumgartner welcomed their second child, Hayes Logan. He had a small part in his father's four-part western drama, Horizon. "He's very good," the actor said of casting his son. "But I kind of did it on purpose, so he could be hanging out with me."

The former couple finally welcomed a "girly girl" in 2010, Grace Avery. "She's sewing and she's dancing, but when she sees the ball bouncing out in the backyard I can feel her gravitating out with the boys — but everything has to stop when she plays," Costner said of her youngest child with Baumgartner.

Here's a timeline of Costner and Baumgartner's relationship:

Kevin Costner's Divorce Settlement With Christine Baumgartner Was More Than Their Prenup Stated

via Instar

In September 2023, news broke that Costner and Baumgartner had finally settled after months of pricey divorce proceedings. The handbag designer reportedly got more than she signed for in the prenup. But as a result, she'd have to repay the actor over $1 million and pay his legal fees, should she appeal the agreement. Her request for $850,000 in lawyer expenses was also rejected. In a joint statement to Page Six, they said:

Complications in the settlement started when Baumgartner demanded $250,000 in child support, which Costner and his attorney believed would be spent on cosmetic procedures. The latter won, with the judge initially ordering him to pay $129,000 per month in child support (more than twice what he was willing to give) until it was reduced to $63,000 a month.

Despite his "victory," when Costner was asked about it, he told Access Hollywood: "This is a horrible place to be, but this is where we're at. It feels so bad. We're talking about somebody I love on the other side. I just can't." Other details of the settlement were unclear, but Baumgartner reportedly promised to "enter the workforce" after the significant deduction in her child support payments.