Ventura Couple Renew Vows at Elvis’ Mansion

A California couple renewed their wedding vows at Graceland today to the delight of hundreds of fans who gathered at Elvis Presley’s mansion to celebrate what would have been the King’s 55th birthday.

Ramona and Robert Carey-Farias of Ventura, were among the fans participating in Elvis Presley birthday activities on the steps of Elvis’ mansion.

The fans, most of whom were dressed in Elvis attire, came from across the country and several foreign countries and were treated to birthday cake and coffee at the tourist attraction.

“I wanted to do this because I wanted Elvis to share in our happiness,” said Ramona Carey-Farias. “This took a lot of planning, but it’s been a wonderful day. This is my dream come true. I’ve been an Elvis fan for at least 29 years, ever since I heard him sing ‘I Want You, I Love You, I Need You.”’

Robert Carey-Farias said he wasn’t a fan of the King until after he married his wife.

“I really wasn’t a fan until Ramona got me hooked,” he said. “Now I’m as big a fan as she is.”

The couple, who declined to give their ages, wore matching lavender Elvis jackets. Ramona Carey-Farias was dressed in a purple poodle skirt popular in the ‘50s and carried a bouquet of flowers.

Graceland officials said two other weddings were scheduled today in the Elvis Assembly Chapel next to Graceland.

The fans, many of whom arrived before dawn, waited patiently until the ceremony began and they were allowed on the steps of Graceland. After the gates opened, it was a mad dash for the best vantage point of the blue-and-white birthday cake.

Receiving the first piece of birthday cake was 86-year-old Naomi Stiers of Houston, who was known to Elvis as his “little Texas lady.” She organized the first fan club in Houston after she said she “fell in love with him” while watching him sing on the Ed Sullivan show in 1956.

Nickole Mead, 8, of Ft. Thomas, Ky., is the youngest fan club president and also president of the smallest, with four members.

Elvis Presley died Aug. 16, 1977, but his fans, in a tribute to his lasting popularity, make the trek to Graceland each year. A new ABC television series about Elvis’ early life filmed in Memphis is scheduled to make the 1990 spring schedule.