Hugh Grant was among the first celebrities photographed making his way into Madison Square Garden on Friday evening for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s highly anticipated nuptials.
The Bridget Jones star cut a dapper figure in a black suit paired with a bow tie as he walked towards the iconic New York venue.
Black SUVs ferried guests to white tents erected outside the arena, which has been at the centre of elaborate preparations throughout the week.
Throngs of fans and journalists assembled outside, eager to spot famous faces entering the star-studded affair.
Hugh Grant and Anna Elisabet Eberstein arrive at Maddison Square Garden
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Uniformed police officers maintained a visible presence as vehicles patrolled the surrounding streets.
Aerial photographs revealed the venue bathed in pink lighting, whilst interior images showed decorations featuring peach-coloured roses.
Supermodel Gigi Hadid dazzled in a sparkling pink sequined gown as she collected boyfriend Bradley Cooper from New York’s West Village neighbourhood en route to the ceremony.
Mr Cooper, 51, looked sharp in a classic black tuxedo with bow tie as he joined the 31-year-old in their waiting vehicle.
New York has been preparing for the wedding all day
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GETTYMusic mogul Jay-Z arrived in the city alongside his daughter Blue Ivy Carter, with acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg also spotted ahead of the festivities.
The guest list blended Hollywood royalty with sporting elite, as numerous NFL players descended on the Big Apple despite sweltering 100-degree temperatures.
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk attended with wife Kristin, whilst Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife Kelly coordinated in matching green ensembles.
Former US women’s football star Abby Wambach arrived hand-in-hand with her wife, author Glennon Doyle.
Ethan Hawke arrives at Madison Square Garden
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The extravagant celebration, estimated to cost upwards of $15 million, welcomed approximately 1,000 guests to New York’s most famous arena as festivities entered their second day.
Security measures proved exceptionally stringent, with attendees required to surrender their mobile phones upon entry.
Some 130 NYPD officers were deployed around the venue, many visibly perspiring in the intense heatwave as they maintained their posts.
Streets surrounding Madison Square Garden were closed to traffic, though devoted Swifties and curious onlookers still gathered behind barriers hoping for glimpses of arriving celebrities.
Taylor Swift fans hold signs outside Madison Square Garden
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Guests were observed being processed through security checkpoints, with some removing tuxedo jackets during searches.
A tiered arrival system appeared to be in operation, with certain attendees walking through barricades whilst others were whisked in via VIP vehicles.
Swift and Kelce’s relationship blossomed in 2023 after the Kansas City Chiefs tight end revealed on his New Heights podcast that he had hoped to give the singer a friendship bracelet containing his phone number at her Eras Tour concert.
The couple announced their engagement in late August 2025 via a joint Instagram post declaring: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”
The wedding coincides with the July 4th weekend, marking 250 years of American independence.
