More details have finally emerged of America’s so-called “royal wedding,” that of pop singer Taylor Swift and National Football League (NFL) star Travis Kelce, an event that triggered a frenzy of global attention despite being shrouded in secrecy.
The couple married Friday in a lavish ceremony at Madison Square Garden on the United States’ 250th birthday weekend. The event was attended by some 1,000 guests, including celebrities, athletes, close friends and family.
The pair both had their siblings by their sides, with Taylor Swift’s brother Austin Swift as her man of honour and Travis Kelce’s brother Jason Kelce as the groom’s best man.
Actor-Comedian Adam Sandler officiated the wedding, according to Swift’s publicist Tree Paine, who broke the silence with a statement on Friday.
Paine added that the couple’s wedding looks were created by Christian Dior Haute Couture, while their shoes were custom made by Christian Louboutin. Swift wore Cartier jewelry.
Stevie Nicks reportedly performed at the wedding, the hosts of Good Morning America—who had been guests at the wedding—said, describing the event as “personal and intimate”.
“As intimate as it could possibly be given it was Madison Square Garden. Really this garden inside the garden, just so beautiful,” George Stephanopoulos said.
Adding to the grandeur of the occasion, the Empire State Building lit up blue on the couple’s wedding day, serving as Swift’s “something blue,” while a giant screen at Madison Square Garden displayed the message “JUST&T MARRIED!”
Who attended the wedding?
Many A-list celebrities were in attendance, including singers Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello and Benson Boone, actors Hugh Grant, Bradley Cooper, Dakota Johnson, Ethan Hawke and Jason Sudeikis, and models Karlie Kloss and Gigi Hadid.
Also many athletes joined the festivities, including Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs teammates, as well as New York Giants wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp and San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle.
Despite the extensive guest-list, remarkably, no photos have been released or shared as of Saturday. The wedding was kept under tight wraps, with guests reportedly required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), and adhere to a no-phone policy.
Many guests gathered outside of the arena in hopes of catching a glimpse of the festivities and seeing guests arrive. However, with the nation gripped by a record-breaking heatwave and forecasts of heavy rain and a thunderstorm on Friday night, many were ultimately forced to head home.
Swift and Kelce donated $26 million (€22.7) to 20 local and national charities across the US ahead of the wedding.
The charities include nine food banks, seven educational programs, three children’s hospitals and an anti-animal cruelty organisation.