Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce married Friday night at Madison Square Garden, where actor Adam Sandler was the surprise officiant at a star-packed ceremony.
The marquee outside the Midtown Manhattan arena read “JUST&T MARRIED” once the deed was done.
The couple did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen, instead opting for Swift’s brother to serve as her man of honor and Kelce’s brother, Jason, to serve as his best man, Swift’s publicist Tree Paine said in an email.
The bride and groom’s outfits were designed by Christian Dior Haute Couture and its designer Jonathan Anderson, with shoes custom-made by Christian Louboutin. Swift wore Cartier jewelry.
The wedding between the superstar singer and the football player took place as fans and spectators gathered outside MSG in the blistering heat, eager to be part of the occasion, even though the event was almost entirely hidden.
The buildup to the wedding weekend was secretive. A permit obtained by The Associated Press this week and other sources helped confirm that the high-profile event would indeed take place at MSG over the July Fourth weekend, with its own set of festivities amid a massive heatwave.
The long-anticipated union of sports and song brought the hype to new heights at a venue better known for historic NBA games and bucket-list concerts.
Singer Camila Cabello, actors Hugh Grant, Ethan Hawke and Jason Sudeikis, and model Karlie Kloss were among those who arrived. Running back Kareem Hunt was among Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs teammates in attendance. Seattle Seahawks receiver and recent Super Bowl champion Cooper Kupp, New York Giants receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, NFL announcer Joe Buck and Jenny Han, author of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” series, also entered the arena.
The marquee outside the Midtown Manhattan arena
(Photo: AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
In a culture obsessed with famous couples, it may be the apex celebrity wedding, with perhaps only royal unions receiving more attention. Holding such a ceremony in a huge, iconic space at the center of the U.S. media universe while keeping the details secret made for a surreal scene, but the mix of hype and hush was not out of character for Swift.
An Associated Press camera outside the arena showed a long line of black SUVs dropping off wedding guests in tuxedos and evening gowns, surrounded by New Yorkers in shorts and Swifties gathering for the occasion.
Celebrities, athletes and friends posted on social media about getting ready or heading to a black-tie event, including Brandon Borders, producer of the “New Heights” podcast starring Kelce and his brother Jason; Beau Allen, a retired defensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles; and Jessica Chastain.
There was a notable lack of social media posts from guests once they had entered the arena, after reports that phones would not be allowed.
A city permit obtained by the AP showed that the ceremony and celebration could last until 4 a.m. Guests appeared as though they were arriving at a major awards show, but their entrances were obscured by tents and gazebos. There was a chance of rain hitting the area before the night was over.
Weddings have been a constant subject in Swift’s songs since she was a teenager, and her actually walking down the aisle for the first time at age 36 added to the drama. It was also the first marriage for Kelce, the 36-year-old three-time Super Bowl champion who could have been one of the jock characters in Swift’s early hits.
Outside the arena, some frazzled tourists joked that it was a bad weekend to visit as they navigated strict road and sidewalk closures, while others appeared happy to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. Police cut off most access to the area where guests were being dropped off, but some people gathered in nearby businesses and peered out windows.
Diana Warshavsky, who lives in New York, headed to MSG on Friday to celebrate Swift and Kelce’s wedding with fellow Swifties and “send her good vibes.”
“We’re relatively the same age. I’m a year older than her and I just got married this year as well,” Warshavsky said. “I’m just so happy for her.”
The relationship between the pop star and the football player has continued to thrill and fascinate millions around the world, particularly Swifties, the pop star’s enormous and devoted fan base, since the pair first started dating in 2023.
The weekend is jam-packed even by New York standards. The city is celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday, a parade of dozens of tall ships is set to sail the Hudson River, and a World Cup game is scheduled in New Jersey.
Earlier this week, Swift and Kelce donated $26 million to 20 local and national charities across the U.S. Many of the organizations were located in areas where the couple has deep ties, including Nashville, Los Angeles, Kansas City and New York.