The Project
The Elvies is the official awards show of the Porthcawl Elvis Festival — one of the largest Elvis-themed events in the world. Each September, thousands of fans and tribute artists flock to the seaside town to celebrate The King, with live shows, competitions, and fringe events filling every venue in Porthcawl.
Jonathan Hurley Design was commissioned to rebuild the Elvies website — transforming an ageing HTML site into a modern, dynamic WordPress platform that’s easier to update and better reflects the energy of the festival.
The Challenge
The previous website had served its purpose for years but had become difficult to manage, with outdated code, inconsistent formatting, and a design that no longer captured the excitement of the event. The organisers needed a site that could handle frequent updates, highlight official shows and ticket information, and showcase the festival’s unique character — all while remaining fast, mobile-friendly, and visually engaging.
The Solution
We completely rebuilt the site in WordPress using Elementor, giving the Elvies team a flexible, easy-to-manage platform. The new design features bold imagery, clear navigation, and a lively palette inspired by stage lights and vintage show posters.
Key features include:
- Dynamic pages for official shows, ticket information, and fringe events
- A flexible gallery system for event photography
- Improved structure for SEO and accessibility
- Mobile optimisation for visitors checking the site on the go
The overall look strikes a balance between nostalgic Elvis flair and modern web design — bold headlines, dark backgrounds, and golden accents evoke the glamour of the stage while keeping the interface clean and intuitive.
The Result
The new Elvies website captures the fun, spectacle, and scale of the festival while making life easier for organisers and fans alike. It’s faster, more visually cohesive, and much simpler to update — a fitting digital home for one of Wales’s most iconic entertainment weekends.
