Now that marriage equality has finally arrived in England and Wales, Elton John and David Furnish are starting to make plans to get married later this year. The two have been in a civil union since 2005.

Writing in Attitude magazine, Furnish explains the significance of marriage to his family:

"When it was announced that gay couples were able to obtain a civil partnership, Elton and I did so on the day it came into law.

"As something of a showman, [Elton] is aware that whatever he says and does, people will sit up and take notice -so what better way to celebrate that historic moment in time.

"Our big day made the news, it was all over the internet within minutes of happening and front page news the next day."

He continued: "Elton and I both think there is a massive difference between calling someone your 'partner' and calling them your 'husband'. "Partner' is such an impersonal word and doesn't adequately describe the love we have for each other.

"When Zachary and Elijah are grown up and having children of their own, they will – hopefully – be living in a world where everyone can be equal, when being married isn't about whether you're straight or gay, but simply about being human."

Furnish told the the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he and John plan to ditch plans for a big bash:

“We do like big parties,” Furnish said. “Over eight years ago, we had 650 people on the 21st of December at our house in Windsor. 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.”

The two plan to tie the knot in May.