Juju Smith-Schuster and Laura Kruk’s California coastal wedding was a star-studded affair — and marked the first public outing for fellow newlyweds Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.
Smith-Schuster, 29, and Kruk said, “I do,” on Friday, July 10, in Laguna Niguel, California, surrounded by family and friends. In the wake of their nuptials, the couple is now sharing behind-the-scenes details about the blessed event, which featured Kelce and Swift, both 36, cheering them on in the crowd.
“We wanted our wedding to reflect who we are as people and as a couple and to be one big party,” Kruk, who met the NFL player in 2023, told Vogue in an interview published on Tuesday, July 14.
Smith-Schuster — who played college football at the University of Southern California just an hour north of the Orange County wedding venue — noted that his bride was the star of the show, planning almost every detail of their special day.
“I was a great team player by helping with the DJ and saying ‘yes’ and ‘no,’” Smith-Schuster joked during the joint interview.
Before walking down the aisle, the couple celebrated their nuptials with a beachside welcome party in Laguna Niguel with nods to the New You Giants player’s Samoan roots.
“The guests enjoyed piña coladas in branded coconuts with our wedding logo on them and danced to good music all evening,” Kruk revealed, noting the welcome event was Hawaiian themed. “We brought out Polynesian dancers halfway through the night and listened to speeches from our closest friends and family.”
The couple tied the knot at the Ritz Carlton the following day, overlooking the ocean. Kruk donned a Steven Khalil mermaid-style gown with lace fabric and ruched tulle overlay, while the groom wore a custom suit by Julian Abdul Studios.
According to photos, Kelce and Swift wore their summertime best for the occasion with the Kansas City Chiefs tight end being spotted in a black suit and tie.
Swift, meanwhile, wore a floral ballgown for the sunny ceremony and sipped on champagne, which Kruk told Vogue was given to guests “upon arrival” as some of the couples’ “favorite love songs played by a violinist” prior to her wedding march.
“The moment I saw her walking toward me, I knew without a doubt that I was marrying the woman I had prayed for,” Smith-Schuster told the outlet. “It still feels surreal finally having a ring on my finger — and for once, it’s not a Super Bowl ring.”
Swift and Kelce, who tied the knot one week prior on July 3 in New York City at Madison Square Garden, were also seen spotting what appeared to be their wedding bands.
Smith-Schuster and Kruk, who were guests at the Grammy winner and Kelce’s lavish wedding, told Vogue that they celebrated their own vows with a cocktail hour and reception.
Their guest list also included Smith-Schuster’s former Kansas City teammate Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany Mahomes.
The bride and groom posed for photos with the NFL stars in attendance, which included Kelce and his new wife, Swift. The musician put her arm around Kruk in the group photo, per Vogue’s recap from the event.
Kelce, for his part, had his arm around Swift’s waist and she put her left hand on his in the picture, giving fans a glimpse at her wedding ring.
“No phones were allowed during our wedding celebration, and everyone was so present,” Kruk said, which is the same protocol that Kelce and Swift implemented on their big day.
Smith-Schuster noted that what made his wedding even more memorable was getting Kruk “outside of her comfort zone” for the Samoan Taualuga dance, which is tradition in his culture.
“Seeing her embrace my culture with such love and courage meant more to me than words can express,” the professional athlete said. “Watching her honor my family and our traditions made me incredibly proud and reminded me just how blessed I am to call her my wife.”
Read the full article here
