Marriage rates in the US have hit a 140-year low, yet the public's fascination with Taylor Swift's wedding to Travis Kelce has reached fever pitch, with fans even buying trash from outside Madison Square Garden, according to TMZ. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found 111 million American adults were single, up from 70 million in 1990, as economic and social shifts make marriage less attainable or appealing.
The allure of a vicarious wedding
Writer Dave Schilling, who shares a divorce in common with Swift (though not the fame or fortune), argues that the obsession stems from a collective yearning for connection. "Maybe the reason so many people have lost their bearings over the Taylor and Travis wedding is that they might never get married themselves," he writes. With the median cost of a wedding soaring and traditional expectations shifting, many opt out of marriage entirely.
Parasocial bonds fill the gap
Social media and celebrity culture allow fans to experience milestones like weddings through a parasocial lens. Schilling notes that "the bond certain people have with celebrities makes them feel like they actually know these people, without having to actually know them." This transference is particularly strong for Swift, whose confessional songwriting creates an illusion of intimacy.
Singlehood on the rise
The 2023 Pew data highlights a dramatic increase in single adults, driven by economic pressures and changing gender dynamics. Women, in particular, are choosing singlehood due to a lack of suitable partners and a desire for autonomy. "A single person can stay in bed all day if they want to," Schilling observes, contrasting the freedom of single life with the compromises of marriage.
Risk vs. reward in modern marriage
Despite the risks—Schilling himself endured a painful divorce—he advocates for the growth that comes from vulnerability. "Better to have loved than lost than to have bought an empty Ziploc," he quips, referencing the absurdity of fans buying air from Swift's wedding venue. Ultimately, the obsession with celebrity weddings reflects a deeper human need for belonging, even if it's experienced from behind a screen.
