Elton John and David Furnish are to marry in a private ceremony with only their parents as witnesses, they have revealed.

The couple's big day was expected to be a star-studded occasion attended by their celebrity friends, including the Beckhams and Liz Hurley.

But they have decided to keep the ceremony uncharacteristically low-key - although they will follow it up with a lavish evening reception.

Elton told Attitude magazine: "The ceremony itself will be very private. That much we know. It'll be a very small family affair and then in the evening there'll be a soiree somewhere, which we have yet to work out.

"But the ceremony itself will be David's parents and my parents and the two of us. They'll be our witnesses. That's the way we want to do it.

"They've been so fantastic to us and so supportive. Out of respect for their support, we want to just keep it small. Not to make a ballyhoo of the ceremony."

He continued: "There will be a party somewhere, but the day will be very low-key and we'll take our parents to lunch afterwards.

"I haven't thought so much about the emotional side of it yet, but I'm sure this is going to be an incredibly emotional day."

Elton and David will tie the knot on December 21, 2005, becoming one of the first same-sex couples to marry following the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act.

Related News