Elton John and David Furnish to get married: Couple to have uncharacteristically toned down nuptials in May

Following this weekend’s legislation of gay marriage in England and Wales, the couple revealed that they will wed again

David Furnish, Sir Elton John and their son Zachary attend the 20th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 26, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California

Having children seems to have sadly toned down Sir Elton John and David Furnish’s love of large-scale grand parties.

Following this weekend’s legislation of gay marriage in England and Wales, the couple revealed that they will wed again in May but this time round it’ll be a low-key affair with just close friends and family.

“We don’t feel the need to take an extra step legally,” Furnish told the Las Vegas Review Journal. “But since we’re committed for life, we feel it’s really important to take that step, and take advantage of that amazing change in legislation. We all live by example.

Furnish and John first got married with a civil partnership in December 2005, celebrating with a lavish party attended by 650 people at their Windsor house – attended by an eclectic array of stars including Victoria Beckham, Ringo Starr, Donatella Versace, David Walliams and Sharon Stone.

Their second nuptials could have been another event of royal wedding proportions, but Furnish says that having two young sons (Zachary, three, and 14-month-year-old Elijah), has changed their approach. The couple have been together for 21 years.

''We do like big parties,” Furnish continued. “But with the kids, everything is different. I think what we’ll do is go to a registry office in England in May, and take the boys with us, and a couple of witnesses.”

Furnish is thrilled with the long-awaited legislation. He and John are one of many gay couples to be marrying this year - broadcaster Sandi Toksvig renewed her vows with her civil partner, Debbie, on Saturday, while Union J singer Jaymi Hensley and his fiancé, Olly Marmon, are planning to tie the knot later this year.

“I remember trying to come out to my mother and unfortunately going to all the negatives,” he said.

“You’ll never get married. You’ll never have children. You’ll never be accepted by society. You’ll be prejudiced against. You won’t have a future. We’re living in extraordinary times. My God, 20 years ago, when I started seeing Elton, if you asked me if I’d be able to get married, if I’d be able to have children, it was unthinkable, literally unimaginable.”