If there were two people destined to have the first famous wedding in the New Jersey Meadowlands, it’s Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. The iconic pop star and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end are (supposedly) planning their (secret) wedding right now. And while you didn’t hear it from us (shhh) — sources (just about) everywhere can imagine wedding bells at MetLife Stadium.
Has there been a famous couple wed at MetLife Stadium (or even when it was called Giants Stadium)? Not that we can find! There have been employees of the Giants (Casey Puleo and Ed Triggs in 2017 come to mind).
But, really. Who better than Taylor and Travis to take the crown as the First Couple of the Meadowlands and MetLife Stadium? T&T practically reinvented the 50-yard line as romance du jour.
Who is Busier Than Taylor Swift?
While it’s (seemingly) true the singer missed the Chiefs game in the Meadowlands against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 21, there’s certainly no indication of lost love — not for her, Travis, or the Meadowlands.
She’s simply busy being the superstar that she is as her 12th studio album “The Life of a Showgirl” and its release party film kick off a three-day activation Oct. 3-5.
“Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl” premieres the first music video from the new album, for the song “The Fate of Ophelia.” Locations include all 540 AMC Theatres locations.
Back to The Wedding and The Number 13
Why 13 reasons? If you’re asking that question, you’re obviously not a true Swiftie or an El Travadorie (he has so many nicknames!). So we’ll unpack this for the unknowing. (Did you notice that Oct. 3 adds up to 13?)
Taylor (she said we can call her that) considers 13 her lucky number. She was born on Dec. 13, and turned 13 on Friday the 13th. (My son was born on Friday the 13th, which means Taylor is practically family.)
But wait; There’s More
The Eras Tour concert film premiered in theaters on Friday the 13th in 2023. Her first album, “Taylor Swift,” went gold in 13 weeks. Her first #1 song had a 13-second intro. And she has said in interviews that she often ends up seated in the 13th seat, row, or section when attending award shows.
Travis is in his 13th NFL season and their engagement was announced on Aug. 26, which was 13 days after Swift’s Aug. 13 appearance on “New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce” podcast. Their engagement announcement was also made at 1 p.m., or 13:00 in military time.
Game? What Game?
All eyes were on the 14-time Grammy-winning artist when she came to MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands in New Jersey (not New York, people, the stadium is not in New York).
The Oct. 1, 2023 game pitting the Kansas City Chiefs against the Jets was a headliner because of this: Taylor was photographed sitting next to Travis’s mom Donna. The world took notice. The rest is Hallmark history and romcom writers everywhere are scripting books, movies, and poetry.
The two-time Super Bowl champ was so touched by Taylor’s appearance at his game, he gave a nod to one of her songs, saying, “And then we just slid off in the getaway car at the end.”
13 Reasons Wedding Bells Should Ring for T&T in the Meadowlands of New Jersey
Forget about Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Perhaps it’s the prologue to their love story but Kansas City is not the Meadowlands. Missouri vs Jersey? No contest. It is true that Kansas City is known as the barbecue capital of the U.S. But the Meadowlands has that and so much more.
Taylor and Travis want anonymity? Welcome to the Meadowlands where we practically trip over celebs all the time — at American Dream, Stew Leonards, the Colonial Diner — pick a place; a celeb has noshed or shopped there.
If T&T want to be noticed, they’ll practically have to announce it. But if they crave anonymity? The Meadowlands is the place.
And here is the first installment of the 13 reasons the Meadowlands is The Place for Taylor’s wedding (and maybe yours, too. We see you, Swifties!).
- Teterboro Airport. Regular people fly in and out of Newark Airport. But the rich and famous? They have Teterboro, home to 11 or so people and more private jets than anyone knew existed. Just this month alone there have been an estimated 35 (human) celebs. I know of a bird that got its own flight. And a 5-year-old kid. Taylor & Travis? Teterboro is exactly what you need.
- Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment. This is the perfect venue for your Hen Do AKA Bachelorette Bash – and the Bachelor Party, too! There is simply no other place like it – a truly “Only in the Meadowlands” find. There’s a celebrity chef who I am positive will be yours for the night. Reserve the Skybox Suites — 3,973 sq ft of perfect views, food, and booze for 50-150 of your closest friends. Send the guys over to Fan Duel and the Gallery. Or why not just rent the whole place?
- Cat Friendly Accommodations. Taylor – thank you for upping the cool factor for cat ladies everywhere. I am almost 100% sure anyplace you go will roll out a red carpet scratching post for Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button. Pet love ranks high in the Meadowlands and there are private rooms, special homes, and devoted hotel professionals who are all about kitty happiness. We are here for you and your kitties.
- Martha Stewart. She’s a Jersey girl from Nutley and I will do the leg work for you and get her right by your side for the oh-so-many last minute minutiae. I’m pretty sure she has a million ideas just waiting in the wings. Snoop Dog too, perhaps? Think of the fun. Maybe she’ll make prison-era ponchos as wedding party gifts… What could be better?
- American Dream. Where to start? There is simply so much to do there, you could spend your entire wedding in that place alone. But since there is Just So Much to see and do in the Meadowlands, I envision a pre-wedding, pre-rehearsal dinner blast with your wedding party, family, and closest friends. Of course they will close the mall for you (remember Jonas Con?)
- Start the day with pancakes at Around the Clock Diner and mimosas while skiing indoors at
- Big Snow (of course they will mix up the best mimosas — you are T&T!)
- After a dip in the wave pool and water slide at Dreamworks, pampering awaits at
- Hackensack Meridian’s Vitality Suites.
- For lunch? Again, there are too many excellent places to choose from so let’s point you to Carpaccio for classic Italian with a modern twist.
- Marcus Live Bar & Grill, headed by Marcus Samuelsson, Ethiopian-born Swedish-American celebrity chef, is your Go To for a funky take on casual classics as well as his signature fried chicken & cornbread waffles.
- Relaxed and bellies full, it’s the perfect time to head over to the New Jersey Hall of Fame, where you will be shocked and amazed how many Greats hail from the Garden State.
- Before heading out for a night of fun, pop into the Sea Life Aquarium and go face-to-fin with the city under the sea.
If this isn’t a perfect plan, Taylor, we’ll have 13 more fun ideas for you and Travis next week. We still have flowers, music, and so much more to figure out. But don’t fret. Planning a wedding is hard but you have the Meadowlands — and us! We have more ideas than months before the (undecided) wedding date. So let’s get this party started!
