Expect a tight security cordon around the Garden, including hundreds of police officers. The nuptials are casting a spotlight on the extraordinary, and increasingly expensive, ways the wealthy and famous protect their gatherings.
What we know about the Swift events: The couple has invited about 100 people to the Infosys Theater inside the Garden on Thursday and as many as 1,000 guests tomorrow to cocktails, a wedding and a reception in the arena, according to The Times.
A cavalcade of stars have reportedly been invited, including Selena Gomez, Emma Stone, Jason Kelce (of course) and Patrick Mahomes. But will there be a castle? Will pals, including Ed Sheeran, perform?
How extensive is the security? Experts including the private security contractor Melvin Key and the luxury event planners Michelle Rago and JoAnn Gregoli spoke with The Wall Street Journal about what goes into protecting the weddings of the ultrawealthy:
Key, the D.C.-based security contractor, said ultraprivate weddings could have as many as three different security teams at work. These often include private agencies as well as local law enforcement. Private security tends to recruit from the military and police forces; they also hire retired agents from Israel’s Mossad or Shin Bet, he said.
The security costs for weddings could go up to $350,000, Rago said. Gregoli said she’d worked on weddings where the security bill hit $1 million, since it required securing a venue a week ahead. Boots on the ground cost money, but so does technology like drone surveillance and devices that scramble drone signals.
Another planner, Sharon Sacks, told The Journal, “We’re not just wedding planners, we’re a SWAT team.”
Also worth noting: The permit for an extra-large event in New York City, including street closures, can cost as much as $66,000 a day, The Times adds.
