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Happy day: Elton John, David Furnish marry in England

FILE - A Wednesday Dec. 21, 2005 photo from files showing pop star Elton John, right, and his longtime partner David Furnish, after they had a civil ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor, England. Elton John and his partner David Furnish plan to tie the knot for a second time this weekend, following the legalization of same-sex marriage in Britain. The singer's spokesman, Gary Farrow, said Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, that the ceremony will be private. Same-sex couples have been allowed to marry in Britain since March. Previously, gay couples could form civil partnerships, which carried the same legal status as marriage but without the title. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File) FILE - A Wednesday Dec. 21, 2005 photo from files showing pop star Elton John, right, and his longtime partner David Furnish, after they had a civil ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor, England. Elton John and his partner David Furnish plan to tie the knot for a second time this weekend, following the legalization of same-sex marriage in Britain. The singer's spokesman, Gary Farrow, said Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, that the ceremony will be private. Same-sex couples have been allowed to marry in Britain since March. Previously, gay couples could form civil partnerships, which carried the same legal status as marriage but without the title. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)

By Associated Press December 21, 2014 1 min read

LONDON (AP) – 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.

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.

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.