Elvis impersonator ties the knot (From This Is Lancashire)

Elvis impersonator ties the knot

8:06am Friday 14th December 2007

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LOVE Me Tender was high on the songlist when an Elvis Presley impersonator and his bride tied the knot on Saturday.

For Bill Wilkinson, who has been a professional tribute act for four years, decided to stick with the Elvis theme for his wedding to fiancee Susan Bonner.

And whilst they were "all shook up" by the torrential rain and gusting wind which greeted them outside Bury Register Office, it did not spoil the occasion. The couple first met during one of Bill's gigs at the Bay Horse pub, in Stand Lane, Radcliffe, in October 2005. Bill said: "Susan wasn't a big Elvis fan until she met me. She loves Elvis now though and we went to Memphis together earlier this year."

When they decided to get married, they chose an Elvis theme for the wedding and everything soon snowballed.

Instead of the formal suit traditionally favoured by bridegrooms, Bill wore a white jumpsuit with blue and red beaded tassles for the ceremony.

The couple, of Stand Lane, Radcliffe, included Elvis songs in their ceremony, with the Hawaiian Wedding Song playing as they entered the room. The registrar even got involved by wearing a gold jacket and Elvis-style sunglasses, and guests donned Hawaiian costumes. Susan (47), who works as a senior carer at Heathlands Village, Prestwich, wore a traditional wedding gown though. Bill (49) said: "It was more fun having an Elvis-themed wedding, especially in the winter. Most people are Elvis fans so they could all join in. Our family and friends really got into the spirit of it."

The theme continued past the ceremony as the couple and their guests went to Moorside Farm pub in Swinton for a reception. Best man, Dave Futcher, mentioned a series of Elvis songs in his speech, and Gracelands was the inspiration for their wedding cake. Bill even performed a 45-minute set at the reception, which was recorded and will be used as promotional footage on his website. He said: "It's stressful leading up to any wedding. It was even worse than a gig."

Bill decided to become an Elvis impersonator after discovering that he could sing like The King' on a karaoke night on holiday in Majorca seven years ago. He continued to perform at karaoke nights until he decided to give up his day job and become a full-time impersonator four years ago. Since then, he has established himself with residencies at pubs in Swinton and Eccles, and bookings at weddings and birthday parties.

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