No More “Elvis” Weddings?!?! I’m “All Shook Up!”
Yes, this news has Elvis fans stunned: the company that owns “all things Elvis” has stopped Elvis weddings from taking part in Las Vegas!
The “Elvis Wedding” ceremony has been iconic in Las Vegas for decades, but that may have ended!
Here’s the story as reported in the terrific website Vulture.com:
Las Vegas’ Elvis-themed wedding industry is all shook up, after a series of cease and desist letters were issued at the behest of Authentic Brands Group.
ABG controls the King’s merchandising as well as trademarks on “Elvis, “Elvis Presley,” “and “The King of Rock and Roll.”
The letter sent to multiple wedding chapels that feature Elvis weddings made it clear that the use of the Entertainer’s likeness in any way was unauthorized and done without permission – the letter state firmly:
“Presley’s name, likeness, voice image, and other elements of Elvis Presley’s persona in advertisements, merchandise and otherwise” was unauthorized, and they demanded it cease by May 27, or there could be legal action.
As reported in a Las Vegas newspaper:
“This could be very damaging to our industry,” Melody Willis-Williams, president of Vegas Weddings and Viva Las Vegas Weddings, told the R-J. “Most of us are small businesses, and we’re up against a superpower with a lot of money. It could kill us in lawyer fees to fight this.”
This hilarious retro way to get married has been a Las Vegas institution for decades!
It all began when Elvis staged a wedding in this film:
You know, the film where he and Ann-Margret had a wild 60’s dance off:
I will follow this story to see if there is any sort of compromise – some wonder if this is tied to the upcoming release of the new “Elvis” movie:
“Moulin Rouge” Director Baz Luhrmann has delivered a wild new look at “the king of rock’n’roll” – have you seen the trailer?
If not, here it is! Just click for the trailer and a look at the film, including Tom Hanks as Col. Tom Parker!
The trailer for “ELVIS” shows that Bad is going to deliver again – and it also reminds me of two things I love about Elvis:
Yes, he loved a “Peanut Butter, Banana and Bacon Sandwich” – one of the wildest mashups imaginable!
Here’s how to make one!
Another thing I loved about Elvis is that he made a movie in my hometown!
“It Happened At The World’s Fair” captured Seattle at a groundbreaking time – click here to see why:
If you like these stories, why not sign up to receive emails whenever I post? It’s easy to do, I do NOT collect any information about you at all, there are absolutely NO ads of any kind, just stories about movies, music, books, food, travel and pop culture…
You can sign up by clicking on my blog here and see the note on the right!
If you enjoy this story, please share on social media – and leave me a comment with your thoughtonn the “Elvis wedding” ban!
Categories: Art, Books / Media, Classic Rock, Exotic Travel, Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
oh no! elvis has left the building?! again? a crazy decision
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another corporate “overreach” to be sure…make quiet deals with them and let it be the goofy fun its meant to be…makes Elvis eternally cool! Thanks for the comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ridiculous
LikeLike
What is wrong with these people? Stopping the Elvis weddings will cause more collateral damage than expected revenue. This smokes of the upcoming movie, big time. On a side note, I can confirm that a peanut butter, bacon, and banana sandwich is absolutely delicious!
LikeLike
I knew someone who got married in an ‘Elvis Chapel’, 20 years ago or more. We saw their wedding video, and the ‘Elvis’ looked nothing like him at all! But at least they are still together. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pete, it’s one of the goofy things about Las Vegas, as immortalized in “Honey IN Vegas” with Nicolas Cage…sad to see the Presley estate decide to clamp down NOW!
LikeLiked by 1 person