One thing is already certain: The wedding between pop superstar Taylor Swift (36) and NFL pro Travis Kelce (36) will be an event of superlatives. While the exact plans continue to be kept strictly under wraps, according to the "New York Times", evidence is mounting that it could happen next week, possibly even taking place at the famous venue Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City.
According to reports, the city has received an application to close the streets around the arena from July 2nd until noon on July 4th for an event on July 3rd. This was confirmed to the newspaper by three people familiar with the matter.
Hotel Bookings and an Application
Several players from Kelce's team, the Kansas City Chiefs, have also reportedly reserved rooms at the Marriott Marquis at Times Square for the days around July 3rd, as an informed source told the newspaper. A fourth informant - a city official involved in the preparations - was even more explicit according to the "New York Times": Madison Square Garden is planning to host the wedding celebration on July 3rd. All sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
According to the report, the application was submitted by the event company Winick Productions, which has already co-organized major red carpet events. In early June, the company applied to the city's relevant permit office for permission to erect a tent in front of the arena - for a celebration with 500 to approximately 1,000 guests. A company spokesperson declined to comment when asked, and Madison Square Garden and a representative for Swift also provided no statement. However, transit police officers who patrol the station beneath the arena have reportedly already been briefed about a Swift wedding on the July 4th weekend.
Why Madison Square Garden?
As a wedding venue, the sports arena with approximately 20,000 seats may seem unusual, but it is quite popular for elaborate celebrations - and back in 1974, musician Sly Stone got married there. For Swift, the location offers tangible advantages, writes the "New York Times": The closed, windowless interior guarantees security and privacy, limousines could bring guests in unnoticed via a separate entrance, and the couple would have far better control over images from the celebration than in an outdoor setting. However, nothing is certain: It's also possible that the actual vows will take place elsewhere and the arena will only serve as a venue for a celebration. Since Swift is known for her secrecy and occasional false leads, she could have applied for permits at multiple locations or may still change her plans.
A Gap in the Calendar
A conspicuous gap in the event calendar is fueling speculation: Between June 29th and July 6th, no public events are scheduled at Madison Square Garden. Not until July 7th will Bon Jovi perform there - by then, any wedding decorations would have to be removed.
Swift and Kelce announced their engagement last August. Initial rumors about a wedding on June 13th at a luxury hotel near Swift's residence in Rhode Island were not confirmed - fans who traveled there came up empty-handed. The New York date also falls during a turbulent period: On July 4th, the USA celebrates its 250th birthday, while the World Cup is simultaneously bringing additional visitors. According to the "New York Times", authorities assume that a major Swift event will take place on July 3rd - and are already preparing for crowds and possible bottlenecks.
