Elvis Presley Marries
Tuesday 1st May 1967
"I still feel nervous."
Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu married in Las Vegas at a private suite at the Aladdin Hotel in May 1967. It was the first real celebrity wedding and it was a very civilized affair. The bride wore a white beaded dress and Elvis wore a regular Tuxedo which some sources say didn't quite fit.
Colonel Parker, the since discredited, manager arranged a photo shoot and press conference for the couple. How does this compare to the celebrities of today and the vast sums paid for exclusive photo spreads? Litigation flies around with famous couples all too willing to take photographers to court to protect their 'image rights.'
Elvis and his bride posed for a series of charming pictures and took their time to maximise the exposure they would get in newspapers around the world, the following day.
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1967 was a more innocent time, reporters were, in the main, respectful, Elvis 'The Pelvis' was an icon and a hot property but he was also a well brought up man who believed in marriage as an institution.
The Elvis and Priscilla story was a love match. There is some rumour of Priscilla and her mother scheming to trap the rock n' roll legend but this has never been proved. She was the daughter of a military man serving in the US forces in Europe.
They Met in Germany
The couple had met in Germany in 1959 at a party in Bad Nauheim. Elvis was serving in the US army and was 24. Priscilla was only 14. They stayed in contact until Elvis left for the US in 1960. They did not see each other again until 1962 when Priscilla's parents allowed her to travel to the US and stay for two weeks.
Eventually Priscilla moved to the US permanently under the proviso that she lived with Elvis's parents and was privately educated.
Elvis was 33 and his bride 21 when they flew by private jet into the entertainment capital of the US from Palm Springs. They both went to the local court house for the marriage license and later in the day they married in front of a small party of close friends.
Elvis was the one who said after the wedding 'I still feel nervous.' Unlike another couple, Princess Anne and Tony Armstrong-Jones, we've covered in our series on Royal and celebrity weddings, Elvis had the word 'Obey' removed from the ceremony.
Today any one can marry like Elvis and Pricilla. Las Vegas is full of wedding chapels all too willing to create an Elvis themed wedding. You can choose from packages that include the 'Elvis Hound Dog' which includes your very own 'Elvis' who will sing at the ceremony and even conduct the event. Other options include some 'humorous Elvis vows' and two pairs of Elvis sunglasses presented to the couple at the end of the ceremony. What style of wedding will you be going for; a traditional English Church or a 'Hound Dog' special package.
Historic Newspapers supply original newspapers for special dates in your life in a variety of impressive gift packs including the anniversary folder which contains a newspaper title of your choice for your special day and one for each of the couple's birthdates. All newspapers are 'refreshed' and come with a certificate of authenticity that can be personalised.
