Following growing speculation, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have officially tied the knot.
While New York endured a heat wave followed by torrential rain, the newlyweds celebrated their wedding in the impenetrable fortress of Madison Square Garden over the Fourth of July weekend.
This meant no paparazzi, no drones and the highest level of security.
Tree Payne, Swift’s longtime publicist, released a statement to the media confirming the wedding.
The carefully worded statement did not confirm when or where the ceremony took place, but contained the first official details of what some have dubbed America’s “royal wedding.”
Moments after it was announced that the couple had tied the knot, billboards outside the venue lit up with the news.
“T&T” was a tribute to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.()
The global superstar and NFL player were confirmed to be married to none other than friend and comedian Adam Sandler.
While no official photos have been released yet, it has also been confirmed that both couples were dressed by Dior designer Jonathan Anderson.
There were no bridesmaids or groomsmen.
Instead, Swift’s brother Austin Swift was her Man of Honor and Kelsey’s brother Jason Kelsey was the Best Man.
As expected, there were countless reactions online to the venue, officials and even the Madison Square Garden sign.
@channellesays: This is a love story and the kids just said yes! 😭
@emily_moise_wilburn: I love that they did this FOR US quickies!!!! 💕💕🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
@mselizabennett: I’ve never seen anything so tasteless in my life xo
@aniahammar: Adam Sandler’s judging is the best I’ve ever heard
@paigeylane: There are too many people. I can’t laugh. It’s just fun. It’s corny, tasteless, whatever… but it’s just fun. Can’t people just have fun on their wedding day?
@kyliemenish: sorry. Feel what you want about the wedding, but Adam Sandler as the MC is iconic.
@nicoleisnik: It’s like when they send out smoke for a new Pope. 💨💨
@spacegirltina: I still wonder if I’m being punished as a punk
@flow3rs4vas3s: say what you want, it’s really nice that she gave the fans this little thing knowing people would still watch. to me it’s kind of an acknowledgment of the fact that they followed her through every step of her personal life.
@katherine_kerr: I can’t imagine anything more tasteless than this.
Lauren Rosewarne, an associate professor at the University of Melbourne, says the details that have been released (and those that haven’t) are strategic.
“Taylor Swift is an artist known for her media mastery,” Dr. Rosewarne said.
“Part of that mastery is making sure people have enough content that they feel like they have some access to it, but not so much that they ever feel completely satisfied.”
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got engaged last August.() Travis Kelce decorated his yard with flowers before he proposed.)
Dr. Rosewarne says the few details the public has at this time are the few details Swift has chosen to make public.
“For example, the casting of Adam Sandler may seem strange at first glance to the casual observer, but Swifties know that Sandler is a big Swift fan and that Travis Kelsey made a cameo appearance in a recent Adam Sandler film,” says Dr. Rosewarne.
“Superfans familiar with Swift’s entire history will be excited to learn about these connections, which will make Sandler’s choice seem less curious and more like another Easter egg for fans.
“Of course, these are also the kinds of details about celebrities that the media would like to report.”
No further details of the big day have been officially confirmed, but various US media reported that 1,000 guests were in attendance.
Several celebrities were seen making their way down Madison Square Garden, with many arriving on foot to cheer on Swifties, who stood in line in the heat to be a part of the moment.
The event was attended by famous faces such as Selena Gomez, Jack Antonoff, the Haim sisters, Dakota Johnson, Gigi Hadid and her boyfriend Bradley Cooper, Camila Cabello, Benson Boone, Karlie Kloss, Josh Kushner and many others.
Also spotted in attendance was Swift’s longtime best friend Abigail Anderson, whose name has been featured on several songs.
Swifties gathered outside Madison Square Garden to take in the spectacle.()
Holding an event of this size in the city center meant a large police presence, and several New York City streets had to be closed.
Fans and media alike have called the union of the pop superstar and the American football player the equivalent of America’s “royal wedding.”
“When we think of a royal wedding, we think of extravagant celebrations, famous guests and relentless media attention,” says Dr Rosewarne.
“The Swift-Kelsey wedding has each of these components in abundance.”
Georgia Carroll, a fan culture expert who wrote a doctoral dissertation on Taylor Swift, says that while some critics have called the spectacle “tasteless,” it will not affect Swift’s recognizable image.
“Even though she’s a billionaire and arguably one of the most famous people in the world, she’s never felt like she’s been on a pedestal,” Dr. Carroll says.
“I definitely think that’s why she’s in the position she is in and why so many people not only love her now, but have loved her for so long.
“And while on paper Madison Square Garden Fourth of July weekend may seem tacky, I’m confident that once we see the pictures, that word will disappear from all descriptions of it.”
Despite the spectacle, Dr Georgia Carroll says the extravagant event will not tarnish Taylor Swift’s standing among fans.()
Throughout her career, Swift has used her influence to try to change the music industry from within, primarily by re-releasing her music and boycotting streaming platforms for underpaid artists.
Now that she’s entered marriage, will Swift change the way the rich and famous say “I do”?
“It’s hard to imagine most people would ever dream of a Swift-themed wedding extravaganza,” says Dr Rosewarne.
“But there’s no doubt that aspects of the wedding—dressing style, makeup, music choice, decor—will be highlighted endlessly and thus likely to inspire at least some future couples in the same way that celebrities of the past did.”