NEW YORK \u2014 Amanda Powell flew a thousand miles from Little Rock, Arkansas, to the heart of New York City for just one reason: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce\u2019s wedding. She and two friends came \u201cjust to celebrate Taylor\u2019s wedding and congratulate her on her big day,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Powell was one of scores of Taylor Swift fans and inquisitive passersby who braved the New York City heat Thursday to satiate their curiosity about what many are calling the wedding of the century and the American equivalent of royal nuptials.<\/p>\n
The couple are \u201cliterally the king and queen of America,\u201d said Kristen Donohue, who stopped by the area surrounding Madison Square Garden Thursday with a fellow Swiftie co-worker on their lunch break.<\/p>\n
A law enforcement official briefed on the security plans confirmed to The Associated Press Wednesday that Swift and Kelce will have their wedding at Madison Square Garden on Friday night with a smaller rehearsal dinner planned for Thursday night.<\/p>\n
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The couple themselves have been mum on the wedding details. Neither has confirmed the festivities will happen on the bustling and hot weekend that coincides with World Cup matches and Fourth of July celebrations. A representative for Swift has not responded to multiple inquiries, including on Thursday.<\/p>\n
About 100 guests will begin arriving at the famed venue at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday \u2014 when temperatures will still be near triple digits \u2014 for a \u201cpre party celebration,\u201d according to a copy of a city permit obtained by The AP. But several fans stopped by in passing or even made trips to midtown Manhattan expressly to scope out the scene hours before those expected arrivals.<\/p>\n
Crews have been seen unloading equipment from trucks this week \u2014 much of it covered or obscured \u2014 and barricades have been placed near the perimeter of the arena. The aesthetic details of what will happen beyond the loading docks have been shrouded in mystery.<\/p>\n
Madison Square Garden sits next to New York Penn Station, one of the nation\u2019s busiest transportation hubs, so it is naturally a lively area on any day. But Thursday afternoon, people lingered longer than usual as they passed through, and there was an increased police presence in the area.<\/p>\n
Rachel Latchford and Linda Solano, nurses in a hospital in central Pennsylvania, made the trip to New York to see a Broadway show this weekend, but they said they had to go \u201csee what all the buzz is about,\u201d Latchford said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to the wedding, baby,\u201d Solano joked on a FaceTime call with a friend.<\/p>\n
Latchford acknowledged the heavy police presence, but she said she felt \u201cvery protected\u201d and added that \u201cthere\u2019s been police all over the city this week with Fourth of July.\u201d<\/p>\n
A large tent was erected Thursday on 31st Street outside of an entrance to the arena. Tarps were hung to cover the walkway, so the couple and their guests will presumably be blocked from view as they enter and exit. In one spot where glass windows offered a peak inside, pink curtains were hung around 5 p.m., completely obscuring any of the exclusive happenings indoors.<\/p>\n
By 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, 31st Street was completely closed off to pedestrians between 7th and 8th avenues. Some disappointed fans lingered near the barricades and boundaries police had set up and were enforcing. They were still hoping to see anything from their limited vantage point.<\/p>\n
While many there earlier on Thursday were keeping their eyes peeled for any decor, florals or anything that could give them a sense of what and who might be inside the arena this weekend, much of the motivation to be there for fans was purely out of excitement for Swift herself.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s just so important in everyone\u2019s life,\u201d said Alyssa Heinen, who was outside the arena Thursday afternoon. \u201cWe grew up with Taylor Swift, and just seeing her now find love \u2014 I feel like it\u2019s inspiring to so many women. It\u2019s so nice to see her so happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen they started dating, it was super exciting and cute and adorable,\u201d said Brittany McCusker, who was with her colleague Donohue on their scouting mission. \u201cIt\u2019s really amazing that they don\u2019t have to broadcast anything, they can have it super private. I really respect that, but it\u2019s a bummer that we don\u2019t get to see it too.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n