Singer Taylor Swift and athlete Travis Kelce tied the knot this Friday in the “wedding of the year,” a ceremony held at Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City. The event was so private that no photographs or details other than those provided by a spokesperson have been released, suggesting it was a very intimate affair.
Shortly after 7:00 p.m., a screen at the entrance to the Garden displayed the message “JusT&T Married” (newlyweds, with the couple’s initials), and Swift’s representative, Tree Paine, confirmed to the media the wedding that the couple hadn’t even officially announced but about which there had been speculation for weeks.
“Taylor and Travis didn’t have bridesmaids or groomsmen. Instead, her brother Austin Swift served as Taylor’s maid of honor, and (her brother) Jason Kelce served as Travis’s best man. “The ceremony brought the two families together and was officiated by their friend Adam Sandler,” her publicist said in a statement.”
She also put an end to the rumors about the bride’s dress, revealing that it was a Christian Dior haute couture gown designed by the brand’s creative director, Jonathan Anderson—who also designed the groom’s suit—and that he had “worked closely” with both of them on their special day.
“It is the designer’s first haute couture wedding dress for a world-renowned celebrity. Both of their shoes were custom creations by Christian Louboutin, and the bride wore Cartier jewelry,” he added.
Outside Madison Square Garden, protected by a security perimeter worthy of the UN General Assembly—with fences and dozens of police officers— the singer’s fans, known as “Swifties,” stood guard for hours despite the heat wave battering New York—which reached highs of 40 degrees—in the hope of catching a glimpse of some detail or a celebrity guest.
“Swifties” generally said they wanted to witness the love story of their idol—whom they had been listening to for years and considered an older sister—after she had gone through breakups and major life changes in full view of the world.
Celebrities Who Attended Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Wedding
A group of young women who were scrutinizing every vehicle with tinted windows heading toward the venue claimed that this was their “royal wedding” and that it was a “once-in-a-lifetime” event.
Around 4:00 p.m., the thousand guests began to arrive, mostly sports stars, including numerous American football players such as Kelce; music stars such as Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Ellie Goulding, and Benson Boone; and movie stars such as Ethan Hawke, Hugh Grant, Dakota Johnson, Zoe Kravitz, and Bradley Cooper.
The celebrations kicked off on Thursday with a dinner limited to 100 guests and continued on Friday with a cocktail party. The ceremony, reportedly held on the venue’s dance floor—which is believed to be decorated like a garden—will be followed by a reception that will last until the early hours of the morning, according to an internal police memo released by local media.
During the evening, a performance by Stevie Nicks, a friend and collaborator of Swift’s, is also expected.
After news broke that the couple had said “I do,” a thunderstorm swept through the Big Apple, bringing heavy rain that cleared up just as the sun was setting, giving way to an orange sky.
As night fell, amid more rain and some lightning, the Empire State Building was lit up in blue in honor of the wedding tradition of the bride’s “something blue,” according to an announcement by the landmark on its social media accounts.
The choice of the Garden, one of New York’s most iconic venues, surprised many fans who had expected a more low-key ceremony, but privacy has been the main focus due to security measures and the ban on cell phones.
The venue made it possible to control access and ensure privacy for an event that also coincides with a heat wave, Independence Day celebrations, and the 250th anniversary of the United States, as well as the World Cup soccer matches being held in the city, according to Agencia EFE.