Full story
MSG wedding week begins
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s multiday wedding celebration began with the first day of festivities wrapping at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, but more events were expected on Friday.
CNN reported that an event believed to be the rehearsal dinner kicked off the couple’s nuptial festivities on Thursday, and that a parade of decor and supplies—including knobby tree branches and boxes of alcohol and lobster meat—was spotted being wheeled into the arena.
Security and privacy measures at Madison Square Garden were described as extensive, with CNN noting that “extensive security and privacy measures were put in place, making it nearly impossible” for fans and reporters outside the venue to see details.
CNN also said NYPD barricades were seen along 7th and 8th avenues between 31st and 33rd streets, while a check-in station inside the arena read “HAVE IDENTIFICATION OUT” and “HAVE DEVICES READY.”
No-phone rules and filming
As the reported wedding week ramped up, Fox News described a notice at Madison Square Garden warning attendees that cameras would be rolling inside the venue, with the “event” release stating filming would take place between June 29 - July 3.
Fox News also said Swift and Kelce’s reported rehearsal dinner-style event was for 100 guests at MSG’s Infosys Theater before a rumored 1,000-person celebration on Friday at the venue.
NBC News reported that guests were sent nondisclosure agreements along with electronic invites and that there are “no phones allowed,” citing a source with knowledge of the wedding.
NBC News further said the festivities would begin at 5 p.m. ET and stretch until the early hours of Saturday morning, and that from 3 to 5 p.m. SUVs carrying guests began arriving at the venue to check in.
Guests, secrecy, and stakes
On the eve of the wedding, People reported that Brittany and Patrick Mahomes stepped out for a meal with friends at Meduza Mediterrania in the Meatpacking District, and that around 6 p.m. celebrity friends including Selena Gomez, Lena Dunham, and Jack Antonoff were seen arriving at Madison Square Garden.
CBS News said the couple expected to welcome around 1,000 guests at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday, with law enforcement sources describing a security deployment that included 135 officers assigned around the venue.
People also described the venue’s transformation over the past four days, saying the interior looks “insane,” and that the seats in the arena have been “draped off” as finishing touches were put on the event setup.
Forbes reported that New York City police were set to start enforcing road closures around Madison Square Garden at 1 p.m. Friday, and that Seventh Avenue would be closed to cars between West 30th and 34th Street as part of the preparations.
