Elvis impersonators in Las Vegas could be banned from wedding ceremony after licensing company makes a request | US News
Chapels of love in Las Vegas have been rocked by moves to prevent them from using Elvis Presley impersonators in themed wedding ceremonies.
The licensing company that controls the name and image of “The King” is asking the operators of chapels in Sin City not to use his image when married to couples.
Authentic Brands Group sent cease-and-desist letters in early May to a number of chapels, which are expected to comply for the time being, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The city’s wedding industry generates $2 billion a year, but with Elvis– themed weddings represent a significant number of ceremonies performed, it is feared that the demand could wreak havoc on businesses.
“We are a family run business and now we are with the big dogs,” said Kayla Collins, who runs Little Chapel of Hearts and LasVegasElvisWeddingChapel.com with her husband.
“It was our bread and butter. I don’t get it. We were just hitting our stride through COVID, then this happened.”
Clark County Clerk Lynn Goya, who leads a marketing campaign promoting Las Vegas as a wedding destination, said the development could not have come at a worse time for the sector.
“It could destroy part of our wedding industry. Some people might lose their livelihood,” Goya said.
A chapel dressed as Elvis to change into a leather jacket, jeans and felt hat last weekend for a “rock ‘n’ roll” themed ceremony, the Review-Journal reported.
Graceland Wedding Chapel, which conducts 6,400 Elvis-themed weddings a year, said it has yet to receive the warning.
An Elvis impersonator overseeing a wedding at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, said they did not receive a single letter. Photo: AP
Authentic Brands Group has yet to comment.
The licensing company oversees the properties of figures including Marilyn Monroe and Muhammad Ali along with 50 consumer brands.
Its cease and desist letter said it would cease unauthorized use of “Presley’s name, loveliness, voice image, and other elements of Elvis Presley’s personality in advertising, merchandise, and things.” other”.
The letter further states that “Elvis,” “Elvis Presley,” “and “The King of Rock and Roll” are registered trademarks.
According to Mark Tratos, a local attorney, attorney Mark Tratos, a local attorney, helped write the statute.
“An Elvis gig is a performer who entertains another person by recreating that person on stage,” said Mr. Tratos.
Kent Ripley, whose business is called Elvis Weddings, says he hasn’t had this problem in 25 years of performing as Elvis.
“They want to protect the Elvis brand. But what are they protecting by taking Elvis out of the public eye?” he asks.
