Elvis impersonator crackdown leaves Las Vegas weddings all shook up

After overseeing decades of Las Vegas marriages, ‘The King’ may leave the building for good

Elvis impersonator Brendan Paul sings during a ceremony at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images

Every year thousands of visitors to Las Vegas can't help falling in love — at least long enough to get married by an Elvis Presley impersonator.

However, the company that controls Elvis' image rights has sparked outrage in Sin City by cracking down on wedding chapels offering Elvis-themed nuptials.

Authentic Brands Group, which bought a controlling stake in the Elvis estate in 2013, sent cease and desist letters to companies offering the weddings last month.

The move triggered angry responses from Elvis impersonators, chapel owners, and even the mayor of Las Vegas, who called for a little more conversation — and a little less legal action — from the group.

"Elvis Presley long called Las Vegas his home and his name has become synonymous with Las Vegas weddings," Jason Whaley, president of the Las Vegas Wedding Chamber of Commerce, told AFP.

"The Vegas Wedding Chamber shares a concern that many of our chapels and impersonators livelihoods are being targeted, especially as many are still trying to recover financially from the hurdles we all endured with Covid-19 shutdowns."

British singer Lily Allen married David Harbour in front of an Elvis Presley impersonator at the Graceland Chapel Las Vegas in September, 2020. Instagram / Lily Allen

On Thursday, the group apologised for its initial approach, saying it was committed to protecting Elvis' legacy.

"We are sorry that recent communication with a small number of Las Vegas based chapels caused confusion and concern. That was never our intention," the company said in a statement to AFP.

"We are working with the chapels to ensure that the usage of Elvis' name, image and likeness are in keeping with his legacy."

It added: "From tribute artists and impersonators to chapels and fan clubs, each and every one of these groups help to keep Elvis relevant for new generations of fans."

But a day earlier, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the group was now offering chapels financial "partnerships", including annual licences to continue with business as usual.

"That is their solution, to pay $20,000 a year to do what we've been doing for the past nine years," said Kayla Collins, co-owner of the Las Vegas Elvis Wedding Chapel.

"This was not on the table a few days ago. Frankly, I think this thing going to the public has changed their minds."

'Elvis Pink Caddy'

The move comes weeks before the release of Baz Luhrmann's new big-screen biopic Elvis — a large-scale Warner Bros production expected to boost interest in the singer.

Elvis-themed weddings have been a lucrative business in Las Vegas since the 1970s.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual Elvis-themed weddings were held. AFP

Packages today run as high as $1,600 for the Elvis Pink Caddy Luxury Model Wedding Package, which offers couples the chance to be driven up the aisle of the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel by Elvis in a 1964 pink Cadillac convertible.

Weddings are a $2.5 billion industry in Las Vegas, according to the Wedding Chamber of Commerce.

But while Elvis musical tribute acts are freely allowed under Nevada state law, businesses using Presley's likeness simply to attract publicity and customers are not protected.

Harry Shahoian, one of dozens of Elvis impersonators in the city, who officiates at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, told the Review-Journal that people just "love to be married by Elvis".

"I did the whole day Sunday, 22 ceremonies. I've done more than 30 in one day, 100 in a week, all of those Elvis-themed."