... and he kissed the 'bride'

Sir Elton John sealed his marriage to long-term partner David Furnish with a kiss today.

The couple celebrated Britain's first celebrity gay wedding in what was the star's most understated sartorial display since he stopped calling himself Reg Dwight.

Sir Elton, 58, wore a morning suit and silver tie for the 20-minute ceremony while Furnish, 43, wore a similar outfit set off with a black tie.

If Furnish looked unnervingly like an undertaker - and Sir Elton like the maitre d' of a rather grand hotel, albeit one with a taste for purple tinted glasses - then who is to criticise?

Not only are they showbusiness royalty, but today is the first day for civil partnerships in England and as yet the rules of etiquette and dress codes have not been written down.

But there was one traditional touch - the kiss at the end of the service.

Friend Jay Jopling said: "It was a very happy ceremony. Of course they kissed. It was just like any other marriage service and it was wonderfully happy."

Sam Taylor-Wood, who took the photographs, added: "It was very, very emotional. There were tears and it was extremely moving. It was lovely."

Also present in Windsor's Guildhall was Sir Elton's mother and stepfather, Sheila and Fred Farebrother and Furnish's parents Jackie and Gladys who were witnesses.

Mrs Furnish said: "I'm very, very happy. It was a lovely moving service." Mr Furnish said of his son: "It was the happiest day of his life." The only other guest, apart from, Sir Elton's black and white spaniel Arthur, was Sandy Brant a New York publisher. Police held back hundreds of fans as the couple arrived together in a black Rolls Royce.

Sir Elton was listed under the name of Elton Hercules John. Afterwards the couple are believed to have exchanged 31 carat yellow diamonds.

A party for 700 guests is planned at the couple's £12 million home outside Windsor this evening. It is said to be costing around £1million and guests are to be served pink champagne and roast lamb in a vast marquee. Speeches are expected from Elizabeth Hurley and Donatella Versace, while Sir Elton was planning to sing Your Song in tribute to his newly legalised partner.