Elton John marries longtime partner David Furnish in England
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dec. 21, 2005. Elton John, right, and his longtime partner David Furnish, after they had a civil ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor, England. (The Associated Press)
Entertainer Elton John and longtime mate David Furnish have officially converted their civil partnership into a marriage.
The ceremony took place exactly nine years after they entered into a civil partnership.
The couple was able to marry under new laws that took effect in England earlier this year.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}John had earlier tweeted about their plans and Sunday posted a photo on Instagram showing them getting ready to sign official papers.
"That's the legal bit done. Now on to the ceremony!" the couple wrote on their posting.
They planned a celebration at their estate near Windsor Castle west of London. An A-list crowd is expected.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The singer has praised England for changing its laws to allow same-sex marriage. He said the wedding would be a joyous occasion shared with their children.