Taylor Swift's rumored July 3 wedding sparks holiday weekend etiquette debate for guests
To loyal fans, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding — rumored to be taking place on July 3 as part of the long holiday weekend — is not a surprise. The popular occasion has long been part of Swift lore, thanks to headline-making July 4 parties at her Rhode Island estate.
But with the ceremony and reception reportedly so close to July 4, the timing has fueled an etiquette debate: Should marrying couples ask their guests to give up a prime summer holiday weekend just for them?
"Holiday weekends often mean higher travel costs, crowded airports and giving up time with family. But every couple has the right to choose a date that's meaningful to them," California-based etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts told Fox News Digital.
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"Celebrity weddings are naturally different," she added. "Many guests will gladly rearrange their schedules for an event of this significance."
Even so, holiday weekends can be tricky. "Many people travel or spend time with family," said Florida-based etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore. "If you choose one of those weekends, give your guests plenty of notice with a ‘save the date’ so they can plan ahead."
It is likely their closest friends have been aware of the wedding date for quite some time, many believe — enabling these friends to make travel plans in advance.
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Actor Bradley Cooper, Gigi Hadid's longtime boyfriend, owns a historic 5-story town house in the West Village of Lower Manhattan, where they can stay.
But Selena Gomez and others spend most of their time on the West Coast.
The NYPD is preparing to lock down a city block outside Madison Square Garden, the apparent location, according to a source with knowledge of the event, as Fox News Digital previously reported.
The source detailed an event spanning multiple days of setup, with 1,000 guests expected to attend.
Even so, this year's Independence Day marks America's 250th anniversary. For some guests, this consequential occasion may hold even more meaning.
"Even if it's for one of the biggest pop stars in the world, good etiquette gives guests permission to decline graciously, without guilt or explanation," Grotts of California said.
Texas-based etiquette expert Diane Gottsman agreed on that point.
"Summer weddings have their own challenges, with family vacations being planned," she said.
"Some people may not mind, and others will choose to skip the occasion."
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It seems unlikely, however, that many invitees have declined.
Swift’s ties to Independence Day are well documented.
Fourth of July parties at her Rhode Island home have featured red, white and blue outfits, plus barbecue and baked treats, according to reports.
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Over the years, guests have included Hadid, the Haim sisters, Blake Lively, Emma Stone and many others, as E! News has reported.
While many surely view Swift and Kelce's wedding as a can't-miss event, the larger question is this: Should non-celebrities ever consider a July 4 wedding?
"I think a lot of people [in the U.S.] have traditions and routines surrounding this holiday. I also think it’s a day many people want to be outside, near water, drink[ing] beer and [enjoying] BBQ with friends and family," one Reddit user wrote.
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Another person wrote on the platform, "It will be fine with some people, and may still reduce your attendance rate."
A third said, "I went to one wedding on the 4th of July years ago ... It was horrible because I could've spent an entire weekend on a boat at my friend's beach house."
Yet another said, "Personally, I wouldn’t go to a [July] 4th wedding. The night before, yes. Day of or day after, no."
Still, etiquette expert Grotts said that, all things considered, guests should not get too hung up on the date.
"The most memorable weddings aren't defined by the schedule," she said. "They're defined by how guests are made to feel."
Michael Ruiz and Janelle Ash of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.