Taylor Swift ‘Trying Not to Get Bogged Down’ by ‘Pressure’ for Travis Kelce Wedding to ‘Be Perfect’

Back in October, a newly-engaged Taylor Swift told UK talk show host Graham Norton she was “so excited” to figure out the details of her upcoming nuptials to fiancé Travis Kelce. “I know it’s going to be fun to plan,” she said with a big smile, adding that the only “stressful” weddings to execute are small ones “where you have to evaluate or assess your relationships with [people] to see if they should be there.” Added Taylor confidently: “I’m not gonna do that.”

As her big day draws closer — Taylor and Travis, both 36, are set to wed on July 3 in New York City — the “Fortnight” singer appears to be eating her words. A source tells Star the couple of nearly three years (Travis popped the question with a brilliant-cut old mine diamond ring in his backyard in August) are dealing with “major drama” over their guest list and security concerns. What was originally intended to be a blowout bash at the Ocean House resort near Taylor’s $17 million Rhode Island summer home has become a scaled-down, more private affair partly due to leaks that have left the couple feeling exposed and disheartened. “They’ve had to change venues and dates,” says the source, adding, “it’s been a monstrous headache.”

Now, she’s being forced to carefully pick and choose who makes the cut, and those who’ve been snubbed are feeling the burn. As hangers-on continue to pester Taylor for an invite, guests who were invited without a plus-one are said to be openly complaining they have to attend solo. Former besties reportedly on the chopping block include Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and Keleigh Sperry and her husband, Miles Teller. “The last thing Taylor wants is for her wedding to turn into a big showbiz circus,” says the source. “She’s trying not to get bogged down by the guest list and all the details but it’s difficult with so much global attention and the pressure for everything to be perfect.”

On the Outs

Taylor and Karlie, 33, became inseparable after meeting at the 2013 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. They appeared together on the cover of Vogue, attended awards shows and Karlie made a cameo in Taylor’s “Bad Blood” video in 2015. The friendship cooled in 2017 with reports later claiming Taylor felt used by Karlie, and that Karlie’s friendship with music manager and Taylor’s nemesis Scooter Braun was the final nail in the coffin. Scooter, who bought Taylor’s former music label Big Machine in 2019 and her masters in 2020, attended Karlie’s 2018 wedding to Joshua Kushner. Taylor was a no-show. (Scooter recently said he “never really knew” Taylor, downplaying the narrative that he betrayed her.) “They drifted apart,” says the source. “It wasn’t an ugly falling-out and they’re still on cordial terms.” (TMZ reported Karlie scored an invite.)

It’s no secret Blake’s messy legal battle with Justin Baldoni negatively impacted her friendship with Taylor. Texts between the two women — in which Taylor referred to Justin as “a bitch” and later acknowledged a strain in her relationship with Blake, 38 — embarrassingly went public via court documents. “All that messy business with Justin took a toll,” says the source. “Chances of an invite are slim to none.” TMZ reported that Taylor and Keleigh, 33, have also grown apart over diverging lifestyles. Still, says the source, “It’s been hard for Taylor to leave off certain names.”

What Really Matters

Protecting the couple’s privacy on their big day is a huge concern. “It’s a shame security has become such a big deal,” says the source. “But it is what it is, and Travis and Taylor are grateful they can cover the expense.” Taylor’s happy to pass off the top-secret planning to seasoned pros, and her dress details, the décor and venue have all been locked down. For the hush-hush festivities, invitees have reportedly signed NDAs, and the source says info is given on a “need-to-know” basis.

The pair are trying their best to keep calm. “I can’t wait,” a grinning Travis said on the May 6 episode of his New Heights podcast while discussing the event. Says the source: “As frantic as it’s been, Travis and Taylor are focused on enjoying the experience and remembering what the day is really all about — celebrating the rest of their lives together.”