FUNNYMAN Barry Hilton and his wife Sandy got hitched again, this time in Las Vegas where they vowed to Love Me Tender forever. The couple from Port Elizabeth got married in St Francis Bay six years ago but renewed their vows at the world-famous Graceland Wedding Chapel earlier this month.
International celebrities have been married there including Billy Ray Cyrus, Aaron Neville and Jon Bon Jovi.
Hilton was in the US where he headlined at The Improv at Harrah's Las Vegas. Not wanting to hit the tables in their spare time, the Hiltons decided to walk down the aisle Elvis-style.
"The ceremony was absolutely fantastic ... such a jol," Hilton said yesterday.
The veteran stand-up comedian said they had planned on retying the knot every time they were in Las Vegas. "Sandy is the one for me. After three weddings I know what I am talking about," he said.
The wedding cost about R12000 for the venue, a limo and all the clothing. And it was a wedding fit for a king, Hilton said.
The couple renewed their marriage in front of a small congregation. They sent out a Facebook message earlier in the day asking any South Africans in the area to join them. Five people responded with the Hiltons' wedding party also consisting of Mark Howard (best man) and Abigail Bray (maid of honour). Bray and Howard live in the US but were born in South Africa.
An Elvis Presley impersonator belted out tunes during the ceremony with the Hiltons often joining in.
"It was the most fun thing we have ever done. We are not big gamblers so we decided to get married again," Sandy said.
She said the ceremony went off without a hitch – apart from Hilton cracking jokes the whole time.
"The Elvis impersonator told us 'please folks, please just work with me'."
While the Las Vegas wedding was a success, the couple awoke early on their 2007 wedding day to find two robbers in the room of the exclusive beachfront guesthouse where they were staying.
The thieves made off with a laptop, cellphone, cash and jewellery including a pair of diamond earrings Sandy was planning to wear. "The first one had a few snags with the second one just being awesome," she said.
The couple, who have both been married before, met eight years ago and were engaged in England in 2006.
The wedding video can be viewed at http://www.gracelandchapel.com/weddings/view/?videoid=5037