Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce could be masterminding one of the biggest showbiz decoys ever, according to RoseMarie Terenzio, who planned John F. Kennedy Jr.'s secret wedding to Carolyn Bessette. The power couple are set to marry in the coming days, and rumours have been swirling about their choice of venue.
All the clues are signalling that Taylor, 36, and Travis, also 36, will tie the knot at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York. But fans of the notoriously tricksy Taylor are convinced she has concocted a wild scheme and will secretly tie the knot undetected at another place entirely.
Preparations at Madison Square Garden
While details surrounding the ceremony and plans have been kept under wraps, images of security teams and renovations preparing for a huge event at the iconic venue have been making headlines around the world this week. The National Guard and the New York Police Department have been seen outside MSG, and New York City Hall has confirmed that an application has been filed to host an event in or around the venue on July 3, with several road closures in the surrounding area. Today a red carpet has even been rolled out on the iconic steps, seemingly for the arrival of the couple's many VIP guests.
Sources close to the wedding have told TMZ that a huge castle is currently being built inside a garden at MSG to give a fairy-tale vibe for the pair's big day. Crews were snapping and unloading giant, covered scenic pieces labelled "Garden Party 1 (Scenic)" and spray-painted "GP" outside the venue.
Fans question the venue choice
But fans have been questioning whether Taylor and Travis would get married in such a public arena, more suited to hosting comedy shows, sports events and concerts than an intimate wedding for a romantic such as Taylor. Some have even called it a 'tacky' and 'embarrassing' move from the couple, accusing them of turning their union into a 'PR event'. Others believe the venue is actually the perfect fit for a couple wanting private celebrations, as it stops the issue of drones flying overhead and security is notoriously tight and well versed in handling grand occasions. The arena also holds up to 20,000 guests for large events, meaning Taylor and Travis could fit in their nearest and dearest, celebrity pals, and still have room for an elaborate set up.
Kennedy wedding planner weighs in
However, RoseMarie Terenzio, who previously worked as John F. Kennedy Jr.'s chief of staff, believes that the preparations at Madison Square Garden are too public and are all part of an elaborate scheme. "I don't think it's going to be at MSG," she said. Speaking on CBS Mornings, Terenzio, who also planned JFK Jr.'s secret wedding to Carolyn Bessette, believes Taylor could simply be hosting a free event for her fans at the venue as a distraction.
Terenzio managed to fool people about the Kennedy-Bessette wedding by leaving fake itineraries for Ireland around his office. However, the couple actually married on Cumberland Island, Georgia. Giving her take on how Taylor and Travis will be adopting a similarly covert operation, she said: "No text. No emails. Nothing in writing. All by phone or in person." Terenzio said that while it can be difficult, it's not impossible to fool people with elaborate plans. But if she was in charge of the ceremony, her biggest priority would be to make sure all guests were fully involved in the 'maximum privacy' policy. She said this would include "showing up in person to every single person's place" and ensuring they "keep their mouths shut".
NDAs and fan events
It has been reported that Taylor's guests will reportedly have to sign electronic NDAs before attending, with every invite individually watermarked to stop them leaking. Terenzio suggested the moves in New York may be for fans rather than the actual wedding party. "I overheard a girl on the train, she was sitting behind me talking to her mom... And she said, 'You know, Mom, Taylor has to invite us to do something to bring us into her wedding. We've been invested in her love life for so long.' And I think she has such an emotional connection to her fans and she understands that relationship so well that I think there will be something for the fans."
Terenzio praised Taylor and Travis for keeping details of their nuptials under wraps despite their huge public profiles. "Their effervescence as a couple — they're always cheering each other on. I just think people are invested in giving them a beautiful wedding," she added.
