Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce get married, and South Florida was watching

Celebrities, film, TV and music stars and famous athletes all gathered in Madison Square Garden for the ultimate wedding ceremony.

South Florida had a lot going on Friday, July 3, with Fourth of July celebrations and a scintillating World Cup soccer match at Hard Rock Stadium, but a lot of “Swifties” had other things on their minds – like following the wedding of their idol in New York City.

For those not in the know, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have officially said “I do.”

The A-list couple were married during a star-studded, celebrity-driven ceremony at New York’s Madison Square Garden, almost a year after the pop star and Super Bowl champion announced their romantic engagement.

Their wedding ceremony looks were created by Christian Dior Haute Couture, designed by creative director Jonathan Anderson.

More: How did Palm Beach County play a role in Taylor Swift’s love story?

PHOTOS: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in South Florida

Swift and Kelce did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen, instead opting for Swift’s brother Austin Swift as her man of honor and Jason Kelce, the groom’s brother, as the best man. The ceremony was officiated by friend Adam Sandler, a part-time Boca Raton resident.

There was a lot to take in for the big event, so here’s everything to know about the Swift-Kelce nuptials and over-the-top wedding extravaganza.

‘Elizabeth Taylor, do you think it’s forever?’

It seems Portofino is always on the singer-songwriter’s mind. The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation shared a congratulatory message on Instagram: “Before MSG hosted this amazing wedding, it hosted Elizabeth Taylor.” The post recounted an event on Oct. 17, 1957, when producer Mike Todd threw his wife a lavish celebration for 18,000 guests inside Madison Square Garden, complete with a 14-foot cake, Duke Ellington and Walter Cronkite broadcasting live on CBS.

Swift recently paid tribute to the Hollywood icon with an entire song on The Life of a Showgirl and licensed imagery and other intellectual property from Elizabeth Taylor’s estate for the music video.In a New York Times interview, Swift explained her deep affection for the late actress: “I love Elizabeth Taylor so much. She fought for artists’ rights. She was exploited in so many ways, and yet she kept her humanity. She kept her humor. She kept her passion for life.”

It’s been 1,013 days

Is the clowning ever really over? Is it intentionally masterminded or a cosmic coincidence?

July 3, 2026 – the day of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding celebration – comes exactly 1,013 days after Swift made her headline-making first appearance at a Chiefs game on Sept. 24, 2023, when she sat beside Donna Kelce at Arrowhead Stadium as Kansas City defeated the Chicago Bears. 1,013 not only contains her favorite number, 13, but it mirrors the runtime of Swift’s longest song, the 10-minute version of “All Too Well” (10:13).

New York got Taylor ‘something blue’

The Empire State Building joined in on the Swift-Kelce wedding festivities by announcing it illuminated its tower in light blue in order to serve as the bride’s “something blue.”

It’s the second love story the New York City landmark has participated in this week. On July 1, Russian daredevils climbed to the tip of the building’s spire before getting engaged, and then arrested.

It’s a rain show

Moments after Swift and Kelce exchanged vows, rain and flashes of lightning swept across Manhattan outside Madison Square Garden. Swift fans will tell you, especially the ones who’ve been stuck in open roofed stadiums, that Eras Tour “rain shows” were some of the best. During the final outdoor rain show of the tour in Miami, she called them “very, very special.”

Rain has a similar reputation in wedding folklore. It symbolizes good fortune, cleansing and a marriage built to last. One popular saying suggests a knot tied on a rainy day is harder to untie.

When the rain cleared, a rainbow arched above the New York skyline.

Adam Sandler officiates Taylor Swift, Travis wedding

He wasn’t there as “The Wedding Singer,” but Adam Sandler played a pivotal role in the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce marriage.

Swift’s representative, Tree Paine, confirmed that the actor-comedian officiated the ceremony at Madison Square Garden.

Swift and Sandler have been friends for the past few years, and the singer has enjoyed a friendship with Sunny and Sadie, Sandler’s daughters with wife Jackie.

Kelce, meanwhile, is close enough to Sandler that he made a shirtless cameo in last year’s “Happy Gilmore 2” as a restaurant manager who fires a busboy (played by Bad Bunny).

MSG displays ‘JUST&T MARRIED!’

About 7:30 p.m. ET, the digital signs outside Madison Square Garden lit up with an announcement: “JUST&T MARRIED!” Word soon spread it was official: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are now husband and wife.

Taylor Swift wears Christian Dior for wedding

Swift and Kelce wore looks created by Christian Dior Haute Couture during their wedding ceremony at Madison Square Garden in New York July 3.

Jonathan Anderson, creative director of Dior women’s, men’s and haute couture collections, designed her gown and his tuxedo in collaboration with the bride and groom, according to a representative for Swift. This is the designer’s first couture wedding dress for a world-renowned celebrity.

Swift tapped Christian Louboutin for her custom shoes, the same fashion house that made her iconic jeweled boots worn on her Eras Tour. She went with Cartier, another longtime favorite, for her jewelry. 

Who was Travis Kelce’s best man? Wedding party revealed

A spokesperson for Swift confirmed that the couple did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen.

Instead, their brothers were part of the ceremony. Austin Swift served as Taylor’s man of honor, while Jason Kelce was Travis’ best man.

Silver Chevy SUV believed to be carrying Taylor Swift arrives at MSG

Around 6:30 p.m., a silver Chevrolet Suburban SUV departed Taylor Swift’s residence and arrived at Madison Square Garden. It’s believed the pop star may be inside the vehicle.

No sleep? No problem for the big party

There are reports that the Taylor-Travis event at MSG could last until 2 a.m. But like any good party, there might also be an after-party.At least one guest was overheard at a midtown Manhattan hotel explaining his situation: He’s anticipating things might not wrap up until much later in the evening, and he has an early flight out of New York City. His solution? Keep the party going until its time to leave for the airport.It could amount to almost a 12-hour fiesta when it’s all said and done, which would certainly line up with the moniker “Wedding of the Century.” Arrivals were witnessed as early as 2:50 p.m. at the Garden, with a slew of guests leaving their hotels between 3-3:30 p.m.

Swift-Kelce wedding: Hugh Grant, Nikki Glaser and more arrive

Jason. Sudeikis, Hugh Grant, Benson Boone, Chris Jones, Joe Buck, Jenny Han and Nikki Glaser arrive at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce MSG event.

Speak now or forever hold your peace?

It’s 100 degrees in New York City on the July 4 weekend and 7th Avenue is shut down in front of Penn Station. There was at least one person who thought to protest over the situation.

An unidentified woman wearing sunglasses and a face covering made her way down 7th Avenue behind the media pen across from Madison Square Garden. The woman shouted while she held a sign that called Swift “truly a monster” for “contributing to the climate crisis, to overtaking electricity during a deadly heatwave.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that cooling centers would be open across the city due to the high temperatures. Earlier in the week, the mayor asked New Yorkers to set their air conditioning to 78 degrees as to not overwhelm the power grid. While in line with recent guidance from the Department of Energy, the recommendation drew the ire of a number of Republicans.

Karlie Kloss surprises at Taylor Swift wedding

Karlie Kloss made a gilded arrival. The supermodel, who is a longtime friend to Swift, wore a strapless, liquid-gold satin column gown with a softly draped neckline, accessorizing with a metallic clutch. Her husband, tech entrepreneur Joshua Kushner, complemented the look in a double-breasted tuxedo.

Kloss, who recently attended one of Swift’s Eras Tour stops in Los Angeles, was also featured in the singer’s 2015 “Bad Blood” music video.

Country stars spotted on way to wedding

A gaggle of country music stars was spotted in New York ahead of the wedding. Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, and members of Little Big Town and Sugarland were photographed together. Miranda Lambert and her husband were seen as well.

Ed Sheeran shocks in bright blue for Taylor Swift wedding

Ed Sheeran, who’s been rumored to perform at the wedding festivities, made his way to MSG wearing a bright blue suit alongside wife Cherry Seaborn.

Zoe Kravitz shimmers on the way to Taylor Swift wedding

Zoë Kravitz wore a sheer, nude-toned cocktail dress adorned with intricate gold and silver beaded floral embroidery, pairing the sparkling look with black accessories and strappy heels.

Camila Cabello, Sombr, Benson Boone, more music stars arrive at wedding

Camila Cabello was pretty in pink, showing a brief glimpse of her gown while making her way to MSG in the back of a car.

Benson Boone donned a bowtie with his tux on the way into the Garden.Singer-songwriter Sombr shared a TikTok video where he’s seen suiting up and “feeling gorgeous rn” ahead of the wedding.The Chainsmokers duo Alex Pall and Drew Taggart posed for a photo while suited up ahead of the wedding.British singer Ellie Goulding was spotted entering a car while wearing a black cocktail dress.

Jason Sudeikis arrives at MSG

Jason Sudeikis, wearing a tuxedo, made his arrival to the wedding. Kansas City is his hometown, and he’s a longtime Chiefs fan.

Taylor Swift wedding guests begin arriving at Madison Square Garden

At least three people are checking iPads for guests lists in front of the arena-turned-wedding venue as more than 50 cars and buses wait to offload guests at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding celebration. People are showing their phones to security before entering.

Actress Dakota Johnson was spotted in a black gown, while Travis’ longtime friend Joe Orave posted a photo of his tux via Instagram. Meanwhile, Swift’s childhood friend Abigail Anderson was spotted entering a black SUV wearing a dress with a floor-length chocolate brown skirt.

“Modern Family” actor Eric Stonestreet was seen making his way to a car with wife Lindsay Schweitzer, who was wearing a shimmery dusty rose metallic evening dress.

Tommy Hilfiger and his wife, Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, posed for a photo in the back of their car, with Ocleppo Hilfiger wearing a vibrant red gown accented by an oversized turquoise shoulder bow and matching floral earrings.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt was seen making his way to the event.

“Shark Tank” investor Barbara Corcoran, who has been a longtime Taylor Swift fan, teased that she’s “getting ready for a very special wedding… such a love story.”

Roughly 1,000 wedding guests are expected to continue arriving until 5 p.m. ET and may stay to party until the early hours of the morning on Independence Day. Supermodel Gigi Hadid, wearing pink, and among the guests continuing to trickle in, as well as bestselling author Jenny Han and actor Bradley Cooper.The weather in New York City is still scorching hot and humid, with thunderstorms potentially rolling in early tomorrow morning. So guests are moving quickly into the air-conditioned shelter of the wedding venue.

From cakes to candy, brands embrace the Swift-Kelce wedding hype

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are expected to tie the knot today. So business owners, fans and everyone else in between are trying to get in on the action.From candy makers to bakers and wedding favor brands, people and companies around the world appear to be capitalizing on what could be the biggest wedding of the era.

Jason and Travis Kelce post special ‘New Heights’ episode with Prince William

The Kelce brothers released a special episode of their “New Heights” podcast on July 3 featuring Prince William, heir apparent to the British throne, as their guest.

While the reported wedding between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift was never mentioned, Prince William did joke about the Kansas City Chiefs tight end’s “most iconic moment at Wembley Stadium” in London. Jason asked the prince which of Travis’ most notable performances at Wembley was more iconic: a touchdown he scored against the Lions at the stadium in 2015, or his appearance as a backup dancer for Swift during her Eras Tour’s Wembley stop.

“Travis as a backup dancer,” Prince William answered. “I think you should do it again.”

Trump’s White House shares Taylor Swift-themed post ahead of wedding

Amid Swift-Kelce wedding fever, Trump found a (blank?) space to insert himself into the holiday weekend mania, taking to social media and sharing an image of himself at the center of an Eras Tour-themed political poster.

“It’s been a long time coming…,” the official White House account wrote in a post on X Thursday, July 2, the same day stars gathered in Maddison Square Garden for what was reportedly the pre-wedding rehearsal dinner. The White House’s choice of caption is a lyric from Swift’s track “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince.”

In the X post, Trump features in the middle of the poster, surrounded by other historic figures including Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. “America’s Eras Tour” reads the text underneath the image, in reference to Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour.

Donna Kelce arrives in New York City: Report

Donna Kelce, the mother of the NFL star, has arrived in New York City ahead of the rumored ceremony, People reported.

Swift’s soon-to-be mother-in-law, 73, arrived in the city on Thursday, July 2, amid reports that a wedding rehearsal dinner would occur later that night, according to People.

The “Traitors” star is also the mother of former Philadelphia Eagles center and “New Heights” podcaster Jason Kelce, 38. On June 24, Jason told reporters he was “Obviously very excited, very excited for my brother. Obviously, a big moment for him. “

“I’m very happy for both of them and looking forward to celebrating with them. It’s a good year right now, and it’s a good year for both of them as well,” he said.

A red, white and Taylor Swift weekend

Hardly anyone is talking about the Great American State Fair, unless it’s about the light crowds, short lines and acres of open space. But nearly everyone is talking about Taylor Swift and the “wedding of the century.”

The Fourth of July weekend is the platform for patriotic pride, and this year, Miss Americana will get the headlines, the photo spreads, the last word in her skillfully planned celebration of love. She’ll also get to celebrate one of her favorite holidays, as documented through the years from her Rhode Island mansion, in the grandest way possible.

Swift is no fan of President Donald Trump, which she confirmed by her endorsement of Kamala Harris during the 2024 election, writing in a post that she was voting for a leader who projects “calm and not chaos.”

No one except for Swift and Kelce and their inner circle knows if the – again, purported – nuptials were inked for the same weekend as the 250th anniversary of America as a deliberate jab at the administration or if the dates just happened to coincide.

Why is Taylor Swift getting married in New York?

Few venues in North America offer what Madison Square Garden already has built in: security. Andrea Davis, president and CEO of The Resiliency Initiative, has spent 25 years planning emergency response and crisis management for organizations including Disney, Walmart, the FIFA World Cup and Times Square’s New Year’s Eve celebration.

“Madison Square Garden is a venue known for their security protocol,” Davis says. “It’s top-notch. When I heard about it being an inside venue – and especially being at Madison – I thought, ‘Oh, that just takes all of those security issues off the table.'”

The arena also already has experienced personnel, and established procedures for protecting high-profile guests and trusted vendors and staff are accustomed to strict nondisclosure agreements.

Madison Square Garden and Taylor Swift have history

Madison Square Garden does hold personal significance for Swift. She headlined her first show there during the “Fearless” era in 2009, returned for the Speak Now Tour, performed at multiple Jingle Ball concerts and celebrated her 30th birthday at the venue in 2019. She was also courtside at the NBA Finals Game 4 in June.

And there is a notable gap in MSG’s public calendar. The venue’s website lists a June 28 concert by Rüfüs Du Sol and a July 7 performance by Bon Jovi, with no public events scheduled in between. But the venue has been known to go dark before on the long July 4th weekend.

How much is Taylor Swift’s wedding going to cost?

Speculation is only growing that the NFL star and pop star will get married at Madison Square Garden in New York City over Independence Day weekend. And their Big Apple wedding is also expected to come with a big price tag. Luxury wedding planner Sonal Shah told the celebrity.land that it would cost the famous couple nearly $2.5 million just to rent out the arena, estimating the wedding could cost up to $20 million in total.

As a billionaire, that speculative budget wouldn’t even be a fraction of the “Love Story” singer’s net worth.

Permitting costs in New York City could be a hefty party of the bill. The New York Times reported that a large event with “extensive impact on the surrounding community” that requires street closures could cost as much as $66,000 a day.

The New York Police Department will likely be putting in overtime over the holiday weekend, with a hectic schedule of World Cup, July 4 and America 250th celebrations, and the much-anticipated wedding.

Dolly Parton thanks Taylor Swift for donation, jokes about her first-born child

Country music icon Dolly Parton thanked the couple with an Instagram video on Friday, July 3, for the $2 million donation that went to her Imagination Library charity. In the post, Parton even joked about the generous couple having kids after the wedding, saying, “When you have your first born can I have it? Because that’s going to be one special baby!”

While Parton is unlikely to be at the celebrations at Madison Square Garden, due to her health, country singers like Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Kelsea Ballerini are all expected to attend the celebrations in New York City.

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce donate $26 million to charities ahead of wedding

The generosity of Taylor Swift continues, even as she and Travis Kelce prepare for their weekend nuptials.

This week, they donated $26 million to charities across the country, according to a representative for Swift, with all having ties to the couple through location or personal causes.

Among the recipients are several food banks in New York, Los Angeles, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Missouri, as well as the national organization Feeding America.

Has Taylor Swift been married before? First weddings for pop star and Travis Kelce

The festivities will celebrate Swift’s first marriage, to another first-timer, Travis Kelce.

Although Swift dated actor Joe Alwyn for six years, they never got engaged. The proposal story from Swift’s song “Champagne Problems” is widely considered to be a fictional tale. There is no evidence she was ever engaged or married before Kelce.

Likewise, Kelce has never been married before. Although he has also been in a few public relationships, in addition to the 2016 E! reality TV series “Catching Kelce,” where he dated Kentucky native Maya Benberry, none of those relationships ended with a proposal or walking down the aisle. Swift will be the football player’s first wife.

Both of the soon-to-be newlyweds have talked openly about wanting to have kids. During a “New Heights” podcast episode, Kelce previously said that he sees a family reunion that includes kids of his own as “in our future, for sure.” Neither bride nor groom have kids from previous relationships out of wedlock.

Do Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have a prenup?

Swift is the world’s richest female musician, with an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion, according to Forbes, which puts Kelce’s net worth at $70 million.

With a $1.5 billion income gap, financial experts tell USA TODAY it is likely the couple will sign a prenuptial agreement outlining what will happen to their money and other assets – including homes, inheritances, businesses or debts – if they separate and get divorced.

“It helps reduce conflict at the end of the day,” says Jesica Ray, senior lead advisor at financial consultancy Brighton Jones.

Selena Gomez, Lena Dunham appear to head to Taylor Swift’s MSG rehearsal dinner

Ahead of an event that was speculated to be Swift and Kelce’s rehearsal dinner at MSG on July 2, members of the couple’s inner circle were mobilizing across New York City.

Lena Dunham was spotted in the back of an SUV, while producer Jack Antonoff was photographed by paparazzi stepping out in an oversized black blazer and matching slacks.

Page Six shared photos purportedly showing Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper and Ashley Avignone in a car that left Hadid’s condo.

Selena Gomez shared an Instagram stories video of herself wearing a black gown adorned with floral appliqués. Her stylist, Erin Walsh, shared photos of Gomez’s look to Instagram July 3. “SEL in the city 🖤✨,” she captioned the post, along with details of the look, which included an Oscar de la Renta dress, Jimmy Choo shoes and Fernando Jorge jewels.

NFL greats descend on NYC

SA TODAY has learned that a number of Kansas City Chiefs players and personnel have descended upon the tristate area, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who was seen with his wife Maria in midtown. “Spags” is a four-time Super Bowl champion who also had two stints with the New York Giants.

USA TODAY has also learned that Tony Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current analyst for CBS Sports, is in New York City this weekend. CBS predominately airs NFL games from the AFC, which is the conference that Kelce’s Chiefs play in.Romo infamously referred to Taylor Swift as Travis Kelce’s “wife” during a 2023 matchup between the Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders. He later jokingly called Jason Kelce Swift’s brother-in-law.In an interview with SiriusXM’s “Morning Mash Up,” Romo said he called Swift Kelce’s wife to, “kind of play with fans a little bit.”

Taylor Swift wedding dress code

The dress code will be black tie, with guests encouraged to wear top hats for men and long gloves for women, for a “magical” summer night, a source told USA TODAY.

But what will the bride walk down the aisle wearing? Many fans expect a big, perhaps weird, reveal.

Who is Abigail Anderson? Meet Taylor Swift’s lifelong best friend

Swift and Kelce’s rehearsal dinner guest list is expected to include a mix of A-list stars and close friends and family. But one guest, while not a household name, is sure to catch the attention of longtime Swifties: Abigail Anderson.

Anderson and Swift have been close friends for more than 20 years, dating back to their days at Hendersonville High School in Tennessee. The pair met in English class on the first day of their freshman year.

Their friendship has remained a constant throughout Swift’s career. Anderson was famously name-checked in “Fifteen” and appeared in the song’s music video from Swift’s 2008 album, “Fearless.” More recently, she received another mention in “Ruin the Friendship” from 2025’s “The Life of a Showgirl.”

Anderson has also appeared in Swift’s “Miss Americana” documentary and in the music videos for “Picture to Burn,” “I’m Only Me When I’m With You” and “New Romantics.”

In 2017, Swift served as one of Anderson’s bridesmaids during her first wedding. Anderson has since remarried and currently works as chief of staff for corporate development at payment technology company Celero Commerce.

USA TODAY and USA TODAY Network reporters Anika Reed, Liz Schubauer, Melissa Ruggieri, Jennifer McClellan, Ralphie Aversa, Charlie Carballo, Leigh Cuen, Caché McClay, Jack McKessy, Jennifer Hassan, Morgan Evans, Anthony Robledo, Liza Esquibias and KiMi Robinson contributed to this report.