The preparations for what is being called the wedding of the millennium between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce seem more like a state secret. International media, especially American outlets, are slowly revealing what was until recently a mystery.
According to US Today, a rehearsal and a small reception for about 100 people are scheduled for the afternoon of July 2, with the ceremony and party taking place on July 3, lasting until late at night. Madison Square Garden is all set.
As reported by Page Six, on the wedding day, doors will open for guests at 3:30 PM, the cocktail hour will start half an hour later in the sixth-floor lobby, and the ceremony will take place at 5:30 PM in the arena. However, TMZ has different information from their source, Anthony Jabin, a celebrity memorabilia collector who is invited, stating that the ceremony and party will happen on the same day but not at the same location. Jabin declined to provide further details. Dinner and the subsequent party will be from 6:30 PM to 2 AM.
According to several American media outlets, Ed Sheeran and Sabrina Carpenter are already in the area. Suki Waterhouse has been confirmed last minute, and the arrivals of Gigi Hadid, Zoë Kravitz, and Selena Gomez are expected. The dress code for all is black tie.
Among the rumors circulating in the days leading up to the event, it has been confirmed that the wedding decoration is inspired by a grand garden to avoid the space feeling empty. It's worth noting that Madison Square Garden has a maximum capacity of over 22,000 spectators for boxing events - for concerts and basketball games, the limit is 20,000 - compared to the around 1,000 guests attending the grand wedding.
An event of such magnitude requires precise professional work. This time, the responsibility falls on Mark Seed, the wedding planner who orchestrated the weddings of Jennifer Lawrence - a close friend of Swift - and Cooke Maroney and Margaret Qualley - daughter of Andie MacDowell - and Jack Antonoff.
Based on reports from Page Six, People, and US Today, the mega music star has chosen to work with trusted individuals who have collaborated with her on concerts. Members of her team have visited Rock Lititz, a production campus in Pennsylvania where sets for major concerts are built, such as the Eras Tour, to bring the fairy-tale garden to life.
Trucks have been seen unloading tree trunks and branches, boxes labeled with 'garden party' signs, and reports of a castle being constructed surrounded by extensive green areas.
Despite the venue having its own security service and crisis management personnel, the couple's production teams have decided to involve city police services. Page Six revealed that over 130 police officers from various precincts will ensure everything runs smoothly.
According to TMZ, the event organizer obtained permission from New York authorities to close several streets around Madison Square Garden from July 2 until noon on July 4. This last day is significant as it marks the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence.
To maintain privacy and confidentiality, workers are prohibited from using mobile phones and must pass through an additional security checkpoint upon arrival at the venue. Additionally, production members are not allowed to use phones to prevent unauthorized photos of the setup.
In fact, the Hollywood Reporter reported that an employee was fired for taking photos of part of the decoration, specifically a large castle under construction.
For Swift and Kelce, saying "I do" is the most special moment of their lives, and for their fans, it signifies the culmination of a fairytale love story. The Swifties are eager to see the wedding dress America's sweetheart will wear, especially after she made it to Forbes' list of new billionaires in May 2024 with a fortune of $1.1 billion, largely from the successful The Eras Tour.
Fashion magazines have speculated on which designer might be chosen, potentially setting trends for the upcoming wedding season, reminiscent of 1997 when Caroline Bessette married John Kennedy Jr.
For instance, British Vogue leans towards five designers. Ralph Lauren and Vivienne Westwood are strong contenders due to their previous selections by Swift in her personal life. However, Schiaparelli, Wiederhoeft and Laura Kim and Fernando García, who until last September led Oscar de la Renta, a longtime favorite of Swift, could bring a fresh look.
As expected, the bachelor parties were remarkable. According to People magazine, Travis Kelce celebrated in California from June 17 to 21 with various events alongside his brother Jason and friends like Druski and Ross Travis.
Highlights included a dinner at the exclusive private club The Bird Streets Club in West Hollywood, casual moments watching the 2026 World Cup matches at Barney's bar, and culminated with a DJ Chris Lake concert at Los Angeles State Historic Park, where he surprised everyone with a Taylor Swift remix.
Upon hearing his future wife's music, the Kansas City Chiefs player took the stage to shoot bubble guns at attendees, jokingly mentioning, "I bet you didn't expect to hear Tay Tay tonight."