Entertainment11 July, 20262 min read
Taylor Swift Paid Over $160,000 in New York City Permit Fees for Madison Square Garden Wedding
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Taylor Swift paid about $160,000 to cover New York City security for the MSG wedding. The payment covered police overtime and costs related to securing the public thoroughfare.
Permit fees and police costs
Taylor Swift paid New York City permit fees of over $160,000 for her Madison Square Garden wedding to NFL player Travis Kelce, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said during a press conference on July 10. The Straits Times reported Mamdani said Swift’s payment covered “the cost of the permit that was lodged, which was over US$160,000 for that event and for the response to that event,” and the wedding took place over two days in Manhattan earlier in July.
Chosunbiz similarly said Mamdani confirmed Swift “already paid the submitted permit fees,” describing the amount as exceeding $160,000 for the event and the response, with the permit finalized “a few days before the event.” The wedding at Madison Square Garden on July 3 and 4 drew a large deployment of police officers and shut down streets surrounding the indoor arena, according to The Straits Times and Le Parisien.
Reimbursement debate and officials
Mamdani’s comments came after online speculation questioned whether taxpayers would be on the hook for security costs, and TMJ4 News said Mamdani stated the wedding cost $160,000 in city resources that was paid by the newlyweds. TMJ4 News quoted Mamdani saying, “Taylor Swift has paid already the cost of the permit that was lodged, which was over $160,000 for that event and for the response to that event,” and said the permit was finalized “in just the days before the event itself.”
The Sun Malaysia reported Mamdani was asked whether Swift would pay back the city for police overtime related to the ceremony, and said Mamdani told reporters Swift covered the bill for the event when he was questioned. Chosunbiz added that when asked whether Swift would reimburse the city for police overtime pay, Mamdani said, “Taylor Swift already paid the submitted permit fees,” and referenced the permit being finalized a few days before the event.
Guests, ceremony details, and totals
Beyond the permit and security measures, the sources described a two-day Madison Square Garden ceremony on July 3 and 4, with actor Adam Sandler officiating and singer Paul McCartney performing “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” according to Chosun일보 and Chosunbiz. Chosun일보 said the wedding included over 1,000 guests, listing Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Bradley Cooper, Sabrina Carpenter, and Ed Sheeran among those reportedly attending.
Le Parisien reported that phones and cameras were banned and that guests had to sign confidentiality agreements to attend, while it also said Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, Ciara and Fergie performed during the ceremony. For the broader budget context, Forbes magazine was cited in multiple outlets, with The Straits Times estimating the total cost exceeded US$20 million and Sudinfo saying the wedding budget was estimated at between $20 and $30 million.