Travis Kelce isn’t the only NFL player getting married in 2026. Here are 4 others
All eyes might be on the pending wedding of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and superstar singer Taylor Swift, but a handful of other NFL players have already beat Kelce to the altar this year — two just this month.
That includes his teammate, defensive end George Karlaftis. In fact, Kelce and Swift attended that ceremony last month.
NFL weddings are just like everyone else’s — if everyone else had the coin to get married in an exotic location or luxury resort, gift groomsmen Rolex watches or were famous enough to have People or GQ feature their shindig.
How about a rodeo welcome reception for guests? A strict no-phones-at-the-ceremony rule?
One groom just had to have a fountain that dispensed ranch dressing.
Here’s how four of Kelce’s NFL colleagues have already tied the knot.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis
Bride: Longtime girlfriend Kaia Harris, former student-athlete at University of Missouri. She is an education lawyer in Kansas City.
When and where: May 9 at the One&Only resort on the outskirts of Athens, according to Greek media.
How they met: The two began dating after meeting on their track team at West Lafayette (Indiana) High School, according to ESPN. They both went to Purdue University and got engaged on April 24, 2025, when he proposed while they were watching TV in bed, according to People.
Why Greece: Karlaftis’ father, who died when the NFLer was young, was Greek and his mother an American.
Special guests: The couple’s dog, Ralph who was in the ceremony. And Kelce and Swift.
Nods to custom: Adhering to traditional Greek Orthodox customs the bride and groom wore wedding crowns and circled the altar three times. They did not recite vows but exchanged Chrome Hearts wedding rings. Karlaftis reportedly danced a Greek “Hasaposerb dance.”
For the single ladies: “In another Greek tradition, Harris wrote the names of all of her single girlfriends on the sole of her shoe,” People reported. The name not worn off at the end of the night is predicted to be the next one to marry.
Secrecy: Wedding guests reportedly handed over their cell phones. Still, TV broadcaster Emi Livaniou shared a photo of herself with Karlaftis.
The party: A cocktail hour on the beach at sunset, then a reception featuring an “international buffet station” of pasta, sushi, lamb, steak, fish and salads. The wedding cake was four tiers and double chocolate.
First dance: “At Last” by Etta James.
Dallas Cowboy tight end Jake Ferguson
Bride: Haley Cavinder, former Miami Hurricanes college basketball player, influencer and model.
When and where: Saturday, June 20 at the Biltmore Hotel in Miami, according to GQ, which shared the details.
The beginning: They began dating in September 2023 and got engaged on a Florida beach in April 2025. Cavinder attended Cowboys games and dressed as a Cowboys cheerleader with her twin, Hanna, for Halloween.
Groom’s request: A ranch dressing fountain. “He’s obsessed with ranch,” the bride told GQ.
The tux: A white dinner jacket and black pants tailored by Mitch Purgason, who has made almost every suit Ferguson has worn during his time in the NFL.
Music: The couple entered to “Fergalicious” by Fergie.
First dance: “Then” by Brad Paisley.
Groomsmen gifts: Custom golf putters and Rolex watches. The best man, Ferguson’s older brother, received a rose gold, ombre-dial classic Rolex Datejust. (They can cost more than $40,000.)
Said no to: Slow dancing, “YMCA,” “Cha Cha Slide” at the reception, and there were no children allowed at the wedding. “I knew for a fact my little cousins would be asking (Cowboys quarterback and groomsman) Dak Prescott for a picture,” Ferguson told GQ. “I just didn’t want that to happen, because I wanted him to let loose a little bit.”
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith
Bride: Mya Danielle
When and where: June 13, all-black, black tie affair at the Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, per People, which had the scoop. “We make an annual trip to Disney every year, so getting married there felt like a natural extension of a tradition that already holds so many special memories for us,” the couple told People. They have two daughters.
How they met: In middle school at track meets. Got engaged in Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve in 2024.
Guests: Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown, Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell and several other players across the league.
Entrance songs: The groom walked down the aisle to Soul For Real’s “Candy Rain” and the bride entered to John Legend’s “So High.” Their daughters walked down the aisle with their grandmother.
First dance: “Slow Dance” by R. Kelly.
Reception: A three-course plated dinner featured slow-cooked short ribs and grilled Mediterranean sea bass. Late-night snacks included chicken and waffle bites, shredded chicken birria tacos, Hershey’s brownies and beignets.
The cake: The 7-foot-tall cake — taller than Smith — mimicked Hostess Ho-Hos with layers of dark chocolate Godiva cake, marshmallow meringue and vanilla bean buttercream.
Giddy up moment: A “Dukes & Boots Welcome Rodeo” for guests with a crawfish boil and custom cowboy hats that honored the couple’s shared Louisiana roots.
Surprise: The bride gave the Super Bowl champion groom a car at the end of the night.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy
Bride: Katya Kuropas, social media influencer
When and where: April 11 at the Zadun Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Mexico
How they met: The Illinois high school sweethearts got engaged in January 2024, The New York Post reported.
Unique touch: Inside McCarthy’s beige suit was a collage of photos of the couple, as well as a leather patch stitched with the wedding date.
Special guest: Their son, Rome, born in September 2025.
Group activity: Smoking cigars with the groomsmen.
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