12 July 2026
Jennifer Nettles was shocked to get an invitation to Taylor Swift’s wedding.
Jennifer Nettles ‘surprised’ by Taylor Swift wedding invite
The Opalite singer tied the knot with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in New York last month and Sugarland lead vocalist Nettles, 51, admitted she was surprised to be among the 1,000 strong guest list, even though she and Swift have worked together in the past.
She told PEOPLE: “It all surprised me, because of course, no one knew anything. I guess people had – there were leaks here and there where people were guessing, but no one knew for sure where we were going until much closer to the time.”
However, Jennifer – who collaborated with Taylor on Sugarland’s 2018 track Babe – was thrilled to be among the guests at Taylor’s star-studded celebrations.
She said: “To be a part of even a small part of their story for me was super special because, obviously, these are two people who are at the absolute top of their industry, the top of their game, the top of their craft, the top of their artistry. It’s such an important time in their lives. To be able to witness that very special moment, it’s beautiful.
“I’m so proud to have been even a little part of her story. Obviously, throughout her history, she and I have worked together before, and I have such an admiration for her and what she has done.
“As a songwriter, you can’t touch her. She’s the biggest artist of all time, really of our generation.”
Taylor and Travis first stared dating in 2023 and Jennifer previously shared her wish for Taylor to “find love”.
She told PEOPLE in 2024: “Taylor is such a lovely human being, and I want her to find love just like everybody else. I am invested in that for her.”
Meanwhile, It has been estimated the whole Swift / Kelce wedding – which was officiated by Adam Sandler – cost around $20-$30 million.
Esther Lee, editorial director at The Knot Worldwide, told New York Post column Page Six: “While the average American wedding sits at $34,000, according to The Knot Real Weddings Study, this production would’ve operated on a completely different scale …
“We estimate the decor and florals to be, at minimum, $5 million. Not to forget that custom draping and carpet installation had to transform the space entirely.”
Lee also estimated catering, service and logistics costs would have come to between $2.5 million and $3 million with the bride and groom’s outfits and the entertainment adding another $2 million to the already hefty bill.
She believes planning would have taken months and they would have needed at least six consultation meetings, adding: “Top designers do not just pick a generic theme. Instead, they start with spatial design and figure out how to make a cavernous space feel intimate.”
