Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey reportedly marry in New York

Reports indicate that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have married in a private ceremony before hosting a lavish wedding reception at New York's Madison Square Garden. The event, which has been described as the showbiz wedding of the decade, is taking place over the July 4th weekend amid a sweltering heatwave in the city.

The couple, who got engaged in August last year, have kept the details of their nuptials tightly under wraps. However, a flurry of activity at the iconic arena over the past few days has fuelled intense speculation. Trucks have been seen unloading supplies, a white canopy tent has been erected for discreet guest arrivals, and barricades and a heavy police presence have turned the area into a security zone. The New York mayor, Eric Adams, cheekily referenced the event during a heatwave warning, telling residents to stay indoors and adding, "if you happen to be getting married at Madison Square Garden, you will be staying inside and you will be staying cool."

According to sources, around 1,000 guests from the worlds of music, film, and sport have been invited to the reception. A rehearsal dinner for 100 close friends and family was held on Thursday evening. Celebrities spotted in New York ahead of the event include Ed Sheeran, Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper, Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Graham Norton, who famously secured an invitation during an appearance on his own talk show. The guest list is said to be strictly controlled, with attendees required to sign non-disclosure agreements and surrender their phones. A professional film crew is the only camera crew allowed inside.

The venue, known for hosting major sporting events and concerts, was chosen for its privacy features, including underground VIP entrances and no windows, making it impossible for paparazzi to get shots from outside. The cost of renting the arena for the weekend is estimated at $3 million, with the total cost of the event, including security and street closures, reportedly reaching $20 million.

In a notable gesture, the couple donated $26 million to various charities across the United States in the days leading up to the wedding. The sum is seen as a reference to Taylor Swift's lucky number 13, doubled to represent both of them. The donation was announced by Dolly Parton, who revealed that $2 million of that went to her Imagination Library.

There have been unconfirmed reports in US media that Swift and Kelce may have already exchanged vows in a private ceremony, possibly in Nashville, before the New York celebrations. The couple have not publicly confirmed any details of the wedding.

Meanwhile, Prince William appeared on a pre-recorded episode of Travis Kelce's podcast, "New Heights", which was released on the day of the wedding. In the episode, the Prince of Wales discussed football and his memories of meeting Taylor Swift and his children backstage at her London concert. He was given a grand introduction by Kelce and his brother Jason, listing his many titles. The podcast appearance added to the sense of a major cultural event.

Fans, many of whom have travelled from across the country, have gathered outside Madison Square Garden hoping to catch a glimpse of the celebrations. Some described the event as "the American royal wedding". The reception is expected to run from late afternoon into the early hours of the morning, with performances from several artists, including Stevie Nicks, according to an invited guest. The theme is rumoured to be a garden party, with a castle reportedly being built inside the arena.