I don't want wedding gifts

Sir Elton John has told guests invited to his wedding reception not to give him presents.

Instead the 58-year-old singer has asked for donations to his Aids Foundation, which could boost the charity by millions of pounds.

Meanwhile, a huge marquee neared completion today outside his £12million home near Windsor, in preparation for the party after his wedding to long-term partner David Furnish in a fortnight.

The tent for the 700 guests, including Elizabeth Hurley, Rod Stewart and Victoria Beckham, towers over the manicured Italian-style garden at the house, the venue for Sir Elton's annual White Tie and Tiara fund-raising ball.

One insider described the scene as looking like "something from Billy Smart's Circus".

A source close to the star told the Evening Standard today: "Sir Elton and David Furnish are not expecting presents from any of their guests but they do appreciate some of them would like to mark the occasion with a gift so have nominated the foundation.

"Obviously a donation can be as large or small as the person giving wishes to make it. The scale of the donations will not be made public, although Sir Elton and David will know and will write personal letters of thanks. If guests want to donate anonymously that is also fine by Sir Elton. There really is no pressure at all.

"He knows some guests will want to buy him something anyway but it is fair to say there really is no need for anybody to turn up with a toaster."

Both men are patrons of the foundation. Sir Elton will wed 43-year-old Mr Furnish, his partner of 12 years, in a quiet civil ceremony in Windsor's 17th-century Guildhall on 21 December, the first day on which gay couples are allowed to marry under new civil partnerhsip laws.

The couple announced their plans with two slips of blue paper giving their names, ages, professions and marital status posted at the town hall in Maidenhead.

Their wedding day will start with a civil partnership ceremony conducted by Superintendent Registrar Clair Williams, who presided over the wedding of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in April. It is believed Sir Elton's mother and stepfather, Sheila and Fred Farebrother, and Mr Furnish's parents-will be the only guests. The pair could also have special vows, poetry, readings, messages of congratulation and music.

Ms Williams said: "We are delighted that Sir Elton and Mr Furnish have chosen to have their civil partnership ceremony in the royal borough.