Elton John Holds stag party ahead of "Wedding"

British pop icon Elton John and his boyfriend threw a stag party with a difference on Monday night to celebrate their imminent ‘marriage,’ with a host of celebrities and male models.

John and long-term partner David Furnish plan to hold a civil partnership ceremony on Wednesday -- the first day such vows can be exchanged in England and Wales under a new law giving legal recognition to gay relationships.

To mark the occasion, the high-profile couple held a joint stag party at the Too2Much club in London's trendy West End.

Among some 180 friends and family who were invited were rock star Bryan Adams, members of the US pop group Scissor Sisters and reformed boy band Take That.

Actresses Liz Hurley and Elizabeth Taylor were also reportedly on the guest list.

Television presenter Paul O'Grady, who compeered the party, said: "We're going to tie them to a lamppost, cover them with shaving foam -- it's an old-fashioned stag do."

In Britain, heterosexual couples traditionally go out and celebrate separately ahead of their wedding.

Women throw so-called hen parties, which typically involve a lot of drinking, hiring a male stripper and making the bride-to-be do stupid dares. At the same time, the men have a large night out which also often comprises alcohol, strip clubs and bad behaviour.

John and Furnish did it slightly differently by holding the party together.

Inside the exclusive venue, topless waiters wearing black ties and riding boots were seen serving guests with flutes of champagne, while deliveries of sushi and presents were taken through the main entrance.

The British singer and his Canadian filmmaker partner are among the first couples in England and Wales to take advantage of new laws that came into force in Britain on December 5 allowing gay couples to exchange vows.

The first such ceremonies took place in Northern Ireland on Monday and more were due to happen in Scotland on Tuesday.

Civil partnerships confer legal status on homosexual unions, allowing them similar tax and inheritance benefits as heterosexual couples.

The showbiz couple will conduct their civil partnership ceremony at the elegant 17th century Windsor Guildhall in Berkshire in southern England -- where Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles married in April.