Portugal Colonial - 'Royal wedding': Swift and Kelce kick off star-studded celebrations

The billionaire singer and three-time Super Bowl champion, both 36, opened the festivities Thursday with an exclusive rehearsal dinner -- only around 100 guests were invited.

Swift, who announced her engagement to Kelce last August, has been tight-lipped about what will surely be the wedding of the year, and guests have reportedly signed non-disclosure agreements.

But all signs point to the celebrations, which fall as Americans mark the 250th US anniversary, being a glitzy affair befitting one of the world's most famous couples.

An AFP journalist saw a procession of black SUVs, believed to be carrying guests, pulling into a privacy tent outside the Garden late Thursday while fans buzzed nearby for a peek at the action.

"She is the biggest thing in America -- like she is our royalty, she is our queen, she is everything," said Alyssa Heinen, 24, from Manhattan.

"We are just so happy that she found the love of her life and he happens to also be such a big deal. It feels like a royal wedding to us."

Friday's proceedings are expected to involve up to 1,000 guests, according to US media, including models Gigi Hadid and Cara Delevingne, singer Selena Gomez and actress Zoe Kravitz -- all known to be Swift pals.

Kelce's teammates from the Kansas City Chiefs are also expected to be on hand.

Rumor has it that Stevie Nicks and Tim McGraw, both close to Swift, will perform. British artists Ed Sheeran -- another Swift pal -- and Paul McCartney may also go on stage.

Guests will reportedly not be allowed to have their phones during the main ceremony, which is expected to begin with mid-afternoon cocktails before a reception going into the night.

- 'So excited' -

Swifties, as the megastar's fans are known, have flocked to Big Apple locations mentioned in their idol's lyrics.

Among the hotspots were the "Bus Stop Cafe" in the West Village, which Swift has visited, and nearby Cornelia Street, which lends its name to the hit song.

"We are so excited to see Taylor," Lindsey Bongiorno, 25, told AFP outside Madison Square Garden, hoping to experience the occasion from afar.

Rumors have been rampant for weeks over the couple's wedding, with no official confirmation, but the Garden has been buzzing over the past week.

Journalists have sighted food delivery trucks carrying lobster meat and doughnuts, while police have announced road closures around the arena.

The couple appear to already be in New York.

Swift's private jet landed nearby on Tuesday and her car was seen in the city. Meanwhile, Kelce was photographed jogging in Manhattan.

Ahead of the big day, the couple announced they were donating $26 million to various US charities.

Madison Square Garden, which includes both an arena and a smaller theater, is perhaps not a traditional wedding venue -- but Swift would not be the first musician to marry there.

Sly Stone, who died last year, was married there in June 1974 to actress Kathy Silva during a concert by his band, Sly and the Family Stone.

Swift, a 14-time Grammy winner, is coming off a banner year with the success of her album "The Life of a Showgirl," induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and a new song on the "Toy Story 5" soundtrack.

Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, has signed on to play for a 14th season in the National Football League. He starred on three Super Bowl-winning teams with the Chiefs and is also a co-host of the popular "New Heights" podcast alongside his brother Jason.

S.Pimentel--PC