US: Taylor Swift marries Travis Kelce in New York City

American singer and songwriter,Taylor Swift, has married American football player Travis Kelce in a high-profile wedding ceremony in New York City, United States.

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The couple exchanged vows on Friday at Madison Square Garden in a celebrity-filled event officiated by comedian Adam Sandler.

Swift’s longtime publicist said the couple both wore Christian Dior and chose not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen. Instead, Swift’s brother, Austin Swift, served as man of honour, while retired American football player Jason Kelce was best man for the groom.

The wedding transformed one of Manhattan’s busiest areas as the event drew a long list of celebrity guests and forced traffic restrictions around the arena.

Among those seen at the venue were actors Hugh Grant and Jason Sudeikis, singer Benson Boone and model Gigi Hadid. Large numbers of fans also gathered outside the arena on Friday, with some singing Swift’s songs and wearing concert merchandise, while others climbed scaffolding in a bid to get a glimpse of the ceremony.

Wedding celebrations had started on Thursday with a smaller gathering reportedly attended by about 100 guests. A permit submitted to New York City authorities described the event as a “pre-party”.

By Friday, preparations had expanded significantly, with a much larger tent erected outside the venue. Several blacked-out SUVs were seen entering through the structure, allowing many guests to arrive out of public view as parts of Midtown Manhattan were shut to traffic. Workers at Madison Square Garden also installed curtains and gazebos around the arena for the ceremony.

Swift’s longtime publicist, Tree Paine, later confirmed to the BBC that the couple got married in New York City on Friday and shared details of the event.

At about the same time, Madison Square Garden displayed giant signs around the venue reading “JUST&T MARRIED”, a reference to the first initials of Taylor and Travis.

Paine said Swift and Kelce wore wedding outfits designed by Jonathan Anderson, creative director of Dior’s women’s, men’s and haute couture collections, in collaboration with the couple.

“This is the designer’s first couture wedding dress for a world-renowned celebrity,” Paine said in a statement, adding that their shoes were custom made by Christian Louboutin and the bride wore Cartier jewellery.

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Security was tight throughout the day as police maintained a heavy presence around the venue amid intense heat, with temperatures reaching 37C. The New York Police Department shut roads surrounding the arena from midday and blocked both vehicles and pedestrians from entering the area.

Despite efforts to shield guests from cameras and crowds through the use of tents and curtains, several celebrity arrivals were still captured outside hotels and near the venue.

Gigi Hadid was seen heading to the ceremony in a pink sparkly dress alongside actor Bradley Cooper, while actress Dakota Johnson was also photographed.

Some members of Kelce’s football team were also seen arriving openly at the wedding, while other celebrity guests entered the venue under the giant tent to avoid public attention.

TV presenter Graham Norton was also among those spotted at the ceremony after previously receiving an invitation when Swift appeared on BBC’s The Graham Norton Show.

(BBC News)