Sir Elton John Ties The Knot

LONDON, UK -- Pop star Elton John was among the first to take advantage of the U.K.'s new Civil Partnership Act when he got married to his longtime boyfriend Canadian filmmaker David Furnish David Furnish (43) at Windsor Guildhall earlier today.

The pair, dressed in tuxedos, arrived Windsor Guildhall in a black Rolls Royce with tinted windows and waved to the crowd gathered outside as they entered the hall. The ceremony was attended by John's mother and stepfather, Furnish's parents and a small group of friends.

Following the ceremony, John and Furnish, who have been together for 12 years, emerged smiling and waved to the crowd outside. Elton John blew kisses and mouthed the words "thank you." The pair were showered with rice, and two young women broke through the police cordon to give the couple an apple ice-cream cake, according to a BBC News report.

Asked how the ceremony went, John said, "Great, thanks." British video artist Sam Taylor-Wood told the BBC News that it was a "very emotional service. Everyone clapped, and of course they kissed at the end." The couple will celebrate tonight with around 700 guests at a nearly $2 million party at John's London mansion; among those scheduled to attend are Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, Liz Taylor, Victoria Beckham, Elizabeth Hurley, George Michael, Sharon Osbourne, and Donatella Versace.

The artist has earlier turned down an offer for 6 million pounds (approx. $10 mill.) from a magazine for pictures from the ceremony and the following party.

"My love for David is sacred and not for sale", Elton said last week.

According to BBC as many as 700 gay couples are expected to get married around Great Britain today.