A THREE-tier wedding cake, smart suits and a proper reception - when Michael Elliman marries David Canning, his boyfriend of eight years, next month, he intends to have all the traditional trimmings.

It's a day he never expected to see.

When he was a teenager, it was illegal for two men to have a relationship.

Homosexuals smothered or hid their affections rather than face social rejection.

But society has changed and, on Wednesday, December 21, gay couples will be able to promise everlasting love and respect for one another in a legally-binding ceremony for the first time.

David - an Evesham town councillor - said he was amazed and delighted at the prospect.

"It will bring our relationship more into the open and make it easier with the legal side of things," said the 59-year-old.

"It's a big step forward and is the best thing since 1967, when two men could live together and it was no longer classed as a criminal offence.

"Before then it was swept under the carpet. It's in the open and I'm not frightened of people knowing."

David, aged 41, added: "We will now be able to show everybody that we love each other."

Hairdresser and artist Robin Jackson, and his partner Anthony Cavanagh - who have also been together for eight years - have plans for a flamboyant party to celebrate their wedding, at Worcester's Register Office.

They plan to splash out about £5,000 on their lavish day, arriving in a chauffeur-driven 1940s French limousine.

The ceremony will be followed by photographs in Worcester Cathedral gardens, with a champagne and canap reception and lunch at Browns restaurant, next to the River Severn.

Robin will take Anthony's surname after their ceremony, when they become the first same-sex couple to get hitched in the city.

Robin, aged 40, said: "I've been out of the closet since I was 18, and Anthony has for about 10 years.

"This is something that I've always wanted to do, to get married and have the loveliness of a marriage.

"It will be such a lovely occasion for us and it's about time that it was allowed in this country because everybody's equal."

Painter and decorator Anthony, aged 45, added: "It means that we are like any other couple - and it's about time too."

The civil partnerships may be breaking new ground, but many couples appear to be embracing tradition, and everything it represents - love, truth, and faithfulness.

Abba Flint's proposal to her girlfriend Meridy Swann on the River Severn was every bit as romantic as Mr Darcy's to his Elizabeth.

Abba, aged 22, said that she had never previously considered having the ceremony, until last year when it dawned on her that she had met 'the one'.

The Droitwich brides will walk down the aisle at Worcester's Register Office together, with both of them wearing classic white dresses and bouquets.

Meridy, aged 30, is originally from South Africa and will be reunited with her family, who will be jetting in for the couple's special day, which is expected to cost about £2,000.

Paul Dening, of the Hereford and Worcester Lesbian and Gay Switchboard said: "We are delighted that partnership rights for gay couples are about to become a reality as many of us thought this would never happen in our lifetime.

"As well as giving some practical benefits and rights previously denied, the civil partnership acknowledges the existence and validity of same-sex relationships and allows these relationships to be publicly celebrated.

"It is a powerful message to all gay people, both young and old, that their relationships are as real and as meaningful as those of their straight friends and that they are due the respect that has been previously denied.

WHAT IS A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP?

What does the partnership mean?

A duty to provide reasonable maintenance for your civil partner and any children of the family.

Civil partners to be assessed in the same way as spouses for child support.

Equitable treatment for the purposes of life assurance.

Employment and pension benefits.

Recognition under intestacy rules.

Access to fatal accidents compensation.

Protection from domestic violence. Recognition for immigration and nationality purposes.

With the average cost of a wedding estimated at £17,000, the partnerships have led to an explosion in the 'gay wedding' industry.

Pink Products provide an online service, offering unique invitations and wedding favours.

The Gay Wedding Show 2005, organised by Pink Products and Pink Weddings, took place in Manchester earlier this month.

There will be other events in Cardiff later this week and Brighton in December.

The Gay Wedding Fair recently took place in London, giving couples the opportunity to shop.