Taylor Swift’s rumoured wedding celebrations kick off in New York

For several days, media outlets followed every move outside the arena. They saw trucks with cryptic labels like “GP” and “garden party” and crews unloading tons of equipment and things like a large white stair support and a large mirror ball. Workers were seen rolling out the red carpet earlier in the week, but it was hastily pulled back.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, an astute student of both politics and pop culture, coyly touched on wedding chatter during press conferences.

City officials confirmed to the BBC that someone had applied for a street closure permit in the area, but did not say who.

But the city was unlikely to shut down Manhattan’s busiest corridor for anyone on a holiday weekend. And not just a holiday weekend, it’s the 4th of July weekend. And it’s not just July 4th weekend, it’s America’s 250th birthday weekend – the city is also hosting the World Cup.

Speculation increased.

Then celebrities started to appear.

Paparazzi captured photos of Antonoff, Swift’s longtime producer, heading to Thursday’s event at the Garden wearing a tuxedo and a toothpick dangling from his mouth.

Her sister, designer Rachel Antonoff, followed closely in her bubblegum pink dress.

US tabloid Page Six reported that Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid, long-time members of Swift’s circle of friends, also arrived at the venue.

Pop star and actress Selena Gomez posted photos on Instagram of herself wearing a black dress with gemstone earrings and heading to an unspecified event.

People Magazine published a video of Dunham, who created the TV series Girls, being chauffeured around Manhattan in a black SUV.