Union of Elton John and David Furnish

After a 12 year relationship, lovers Elton John and David Furnish marry, following in the footsteps of long time friend, George Michael. Fans lined the streets near Guildhall Hall in Windsor, England, where the ceremony took place. Admid rumors that they were splitting up, the twelve-year relationship of Elton John and David Furnish was formalized in a civil ceremony in Windsor. Here is information on how Elton and David met, their civil ceremony, quotes, and more. 

Birthdates: Reginald Kenneth Dwight (Sir Elton Hercules John CBE) was born on March 25, 1947 in Pinner, Middlesex, England. David Furnish was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on October 25, 1962. 

How Elton and David Met: Elton and David met in 1993 after a friend introduced them to one another at a dinner at Elton's mansion. Elton has said that David helped him overcome his addictions to alcohol and drugs. 

Bachelor Party: On the evening prior to their civil ceremony, Elton and David attended a joint bachelor party at the Too2Much in London's West End. Guests at the party included Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Liz Hurley, Paul O'Grady, Sir Tim Rice, Bryan Adams, Cilla Black, Jake Shears, Jimmy Choo, Kid Rock, Lulu, Trinny Woodall, Susannah Constantine, and Gary Barlow. 

Civil Ceremony: Wearing traditional black morning suits, Elton, age 58, and David, age 43, formalized their relationship on December 21, 2005 at historic 17th century Guildhall in Windsor, England. Normally flamboyant Elton did wear purple spectacles. Superintendent Registrar Clair Williams and Registrar Peter Edwards were the officiates for the ceremony. Their parents were at the small ceremony and acted as witnesses. They took their parents to lunch in a black Rolls-Royce after the ceremony. Hundreds of fans were along the streets near Guildhall Hall. 

Reception: A lavish $1.75 million party complete with lots of vintage pink champagne and lamb for 700 guests, including Victoria Beckham, George Michael, Lulu, Donatella Versace, Sting and his wife Trudi, Hugh Grant, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Naomi Campbell, Jemima Khan, Sharon Stone, Claudia Schiffer, and Elizabeth Hurley was held in two giant white tents erected on the grounds of Elton's mansion near Windsor. Elton and David asked for donations to the Elton John Aids Foundation instead of gifts. 

Honeymoon: Their secret honeymoon has been planned by David for the beginning of 2006. 

Education: Elton attended the Royal Academy of Music in London. 

Occupations: Sir Elton was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. He is a flamboyant Grammy award winning performer, composer, singer, and actor. David is a filmmaker, producer, and director. 

Interests: Elton enjoys tennis and owns approximately 21 dogs. 

Previous Marriages: Elton was previously married to Renate Blauel on 2/14/1984 at St. Mark's Anglican Church in Sydney, Australia. Elton wore lavender and white at their wedding. They later had a second ceremony in England for John's family. Elton and Renate met in mid-1982 while they were working on an album at AIR studio in London. Their no-fault divorce was officially announced on November 18, 1988. Part of the divorce settlement for Renate was a 17th-century cottage in Surrey and reportedly $45 million. 

Residences: Elton's primary residence is Woodside, a country estate in old Windsor, England. He also has a home near Atlanta, Georgia in Buckhead and a lavish home in Nice. 

Quotes about Relationships: Elton, concerning the civil ceremony and their parents, 11/2005: "But the ceremony itself will be David's parents and my parents and the two of us. They'll be our witnesses ... Out of respect for their support, we want to just keep it small. Not to make a ballyhoo of the ceremony." Source: BBC David, about his relationship with Elton, 11/2005: "I've always considered myself committed to Elton and he's the person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. So in that sense, I don't feel like the dynamic of our relationship is going to change." Source: BBC Elton, about his relationship with David: "Meeting David has been the greatest thing to happen to me. Yes, we spend a lot of time apart and it's hard, but we make it work." Source: E! Online 4/25/2005. Elton, on his reasons for wanting to get married in England: 4/25/2005 "I’m not going to run away to Australia and get married. It’s very important that I get married in Britain, because I feel it’s the only place that I could do it." Source: Scotsman.com Elton, in November, 2004 interview about plans: "We haven't set a date and it surely won't be a big public ceremony but I would like to place my life in his hands with a wedding vow. I have never been so happy." Source: The Age Elton, about his marriage to Renate: "I regret it to this day because I was not honest with Renate. I married her while I knew that my truth was different. I find her a beautiful woman, she could have ruined me financially but she hasn't done that. That is what I call true friendship." Source: Imdb.com Elton, on why he married Renate: "Even though I knew I was gay, I thought this woman was attractive and that being married would cure me of everything wrong in my life." Source: Scotsman.com