In response to growing security concerns, high-profile weddings have increasingly adopted sophisticated protective measures, reflecting heightened fears of kidnapping, harassment, and privacy breaches. Following incidents involving the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, private security services for weddings have surged, with some firms reporting a 20% rise in demand compared to the previous year.

Event planners and security experts describe a landscape where guests—often billionaires and celebrities—arrive with their own bodyguards, while entire weddings are treated like high-security operations. “There’s a real fear that they and their spouses will be targeted,” said Jeannie Young Savage, a luxury-events planner, underscoring the risks tied to the wealth of those involved.

Security protocols now commonly include enforced no-phone policies, with some planners confiscating devices or limiting their use in designated lounges. Advanced tactics are also employed, such as drone detection and countermeasures; one planner recounted shooting down a spying drone during an event. Planners frequently implement strict guest vetting, complex travel arrangements, and multiple venue options to avoid information leaks. Invitations may only specify a general city or date, with exact locations disclosed at the last minute or kept secret until guests arrive.

Security teams hired for these events often comprise ex-military and law enforcement personnel, including retired agents from Israeli intelligence agencies Mossad and Shin Bet. Costs for such security efforts can be substantial, ranging from hundreds of thousands to occasionally reaching $1 million, especially when venues require protection well in advance. Expenses cover both physical security—such as multiple personnel and secure transportation—and technological solutions like drone signal jammers.

Venues are selected and configured with security in mind, often featuring multiple entry and exit points akin to those used by heads of state. “You want a back entrance, an underground exit—basically anywhere a president would stay,” said luxury planner JoAnn Gregoli, who has worked with clients including Elton John and George Clooney. However, enforcing absolute discretion remains a challenge, with insiders noting cultural differences can complicate confidentiality, as seen in Italy.

Beyond paparazzi and fans, planners emphasize that leaks often originate from within the guests’ own circles. Savage pointed out that vendors are seldom the source of information breaches; rather, family members and friends pose the greatest risks. One planner recalled orchestrating elaborate accommodations and routing to prevent an ex-spouse from intruding at a CEO’s wedding.

To further mitigate exposure, vendors sign stringent nondisclosure agreements and sometimes operate under aliases, with details of the event withheld until the day of. Guests themselves may be transported under strict protocols, unaware of the final venue until arrival.

Overall, security experts liken their role to that of specialized tactical units rather than traditional event coordinators. “We’re not just wedding planners, we’re a SWAT team,” said Sharon Sacks, captain of MVP Worldwide Protection, which has provided services for high-profile clients such as Michael Jordan and Jennifer Lopez. This evolving approach underscores the lengths to which the wealthy and famous will go to safeguard their privacy and security on their most important day.