The lavish wedding of global pop star Taylor Swift, 36, and football star Travis Kelce, 36, has been hailed as the wedding of the century, but it has also sparked controversy over excessive security measures and traffic control.

The couple held their wedding on July 3 (local time) at Madison Square Garden in New York, inviting approximately 1,000 guests. Foreign media outlets estimated that up to $20 million (approximately 27.2 billion KRW) was spent on the ceremony, which lasted about 12 hours from 5:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. the following day, covering venue rental, floral decorations, lighting, stage production, and security costs. Actor Adam Sandler officiated the ceremony, and hundreds of security personnel were deployed to the venue.

However, the ironclad security caused inconvenience and controversy in various places. According to local media reports, about 130 police officers were deployed around the venue, leading to road closures and restricted access to some nearby subway station entrances. Complaints from local merchants and citizens followed as the prohibition of mobile phones and the signing of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) were made mandatory.

U.S. entertainment media outlet TMZ reported that the wedding security was much more intense than expected. According to the report, security personnel even conducted searches on guests to detect hidden recording equipment, including Meta smart glasses.

TMZ reported, "Security guards went around the venue using scanners to check for Meta smart glasses and other recording equipment, focusing on preventing any photos or videos of the wedding from leaking to the outside," adding, "This level of security was also applied to the New York Police Department (NYPD) officers working inside the wedding venue, meaning they were not allowed to carry mobile phones and were removed from duty if they did not surrender them."

Complaints regarding the meal service were also reported. Instead of a formal course meal, the event was held in a buffet style, forcing guests to stand in long lines, and some had to eat while standing due to a lack of seating. One attendee told TMZ, "It was honestly a bit of a mess because there were too many people and not enough seats," describing the atmosphere at the time.

Furthermore, local media reported that some food trucks had to give up business due to traffic controls around the venue, and nearby restaurants and bars suffered operational disruptions due to reservation cancellations and restricted access. Some citizens voiced their complaints, stating, "The city's functions were paralyzed because of a private wedding."

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, who began their public relationship in 2023, became a married couple through this wedding after dating for about two years and getting engaged last year.



(SBS Entertainment News, Reporter Kang Kyung-yoon)