Navigation

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Officially Married

, Editor in Chief
August 18, 2008

America's current reigning celebrity lesbian couple were officially — and legally — married this weekend.

"Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi were married tonight in an intimate ceremony at their home in Los Angeles," their spokesperson told People magazine late Saturday.

De Rossi, 35, wore a backless, light pink dress, and DeGeneres, 50, wore pants, a button-down shirt and vest, all in white, according to Us magazine. Both outfits were designed by Zac Posen.

The private ceremony was attended by 19 guests, including DeGeneres' mom, Betty, and de Rossi's mother, Margaret Rogers, who flew in from Australia for the occasion. The pair reportedly spent the afternoon leading up to the ceremony laughing and walking "all over the lawn together holding hands and posing" before exchanging handwritten vows.

DeGeneres announced her engagement to de Rossi on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in May to a standing ovation from the live studio audience, the day after the California Supreme Court struck down a ban on gay marriage by ruling it unconstitutional.

Backstage after winning another Emmy for her talk show a few weeks later, DeGeneres answered reporters' questions about the engagement, joking: "Planning a wedding is very stressful. It's crazy. My gardener is now invited."

She and de Rossi also showed off de Rossi's new pink diamond engagement ring at the Emmys.

But DeGeneres also spoke seriously about the importance of legalizing gay marriage, telling reporters, "'I think someday people will look back on this like women not having the right to vote and segregation and anything else that seems ridiculous that we don't all have the same rights."

Although the couple did not announce a date for the wedding, news of this weekend's ceremony was leaked by a few press outlets this weekend, fueling the ongoing media frenzy around their wedding.

E! News has more details about the ceremony in their video coverage of the event:

E! News: "Ellen and Portia tie the knot"

Singer Melissa Etheridge and actor Tammy Lynn Michaels had a much-publicized commitment ceremony in 2003, and Rosie O'Donnell and her longtime partner Kelli Carpenter were married in San Francisco in 2004.

Earlier this month, actor Heather Matarazzo (Exes & Ohs) announced her engagement to Carolyn Murphy.

More high-profile same-sex weddings are expected in the coming months, as couples around the country rush to marry before the courts — or the voters — have the chance to roll back recent advancements in gay rights.

For more on gay marriage in American pop culture, read our overview of Lesbian Weddings in Film and TV.

TAGS ::

I wish them the best.

Submitted by

Bri_Nicole (7 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 12:53am.

I wish them the best.

Amazing...That's all I can

Submitted by

Kaitlynn Slaughter (8 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 1:04am.

Amazing...That's all I can really say.

Congrats

Submitted by

Mays (61 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 1:06am.

They both look so beautiful, love love love Portia's dress..

Conragtulations to the happy couple !!

Congrat's to both of

Submitted by

RTT2 (1 post)

on August 18, 2008 - 1:14am.

Congrat's to both of them.

A lifetime in happiness and Love :)

Once Again...

Submitted by

Hollywood Marie (90 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 1:28am.

Absolutely beautiful in every way. Mazel Tov, Ellen and Portia.

let me confess something

Submitted by

CaroL (101 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 1:31am.

When I read this on a different website (earlier) and took a look at the pics.. I don't know why but I seriously almost started to cry! Silly lesbian!!

www.myspace.com/carolconti

nothing silly about it, girl...

Submitted by

~wicked~ (44 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 6:39am.

it's a very touching time....i was terribly misty-eyed myself reading this at work today

www.myspace.com/imfuqdup

yea i would also have to

Submitted by

caramelcoloreds... (15 posts)

on August 19, 2008 - 5:08pm.

yea i would also have to agree...happy thoughts and positive energy for them...the last paragraph of the blog made me sad though....how this can be recognized, then possibly taken away and called "unconstitutional" is beyond my comprehension ...stupid :-(

Most beautiful couple ever!

Submitted by

Kat (13 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 1:33am.

Most beautiful couple ever!

Aww, that's amazing! They

Submitted by

~Misty~ (70 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 1:33am.

Aww, that's amazing! They look so happy together! And I love Portia's dress <3

~No matter which way you go. No matter which way you stay.~

-teary eyed-

Submitted by

Katy (71 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 1:48am.

Awww I'm so happy for them! After all of what Ellen has gone through, it's great to see a happy ending... hopefully.

about time..

Submitted by

vanity (1 post)

on August 18, 2008 - 1:55am.

sapphic together with the world, i'm uberly glad this legal wedding finally happened!

a match made in heaven! and an -oh-so-good-looking couple!

Soo happy

Submitted by

EmmaCariad (120 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 2:09am.

That is fantastic news, and well deserved. If anyone can be an advocate for the importance of gay marriage it is Ellen and Portia. They are so genuine, we are lucky to be able to call them part of the gay community.

I wish them every happiness together, and I hope that the bigots who left horrible messages on TEDS website after she announced their engagement keep their mouths shut and just see how happy and 'normal' (if there is such a thing) they are. I also agree, Ellen deserves this more than anyone. It must be such an amazing feeling for her - eleven years ago she had death threats and abuse hurled at her because she was open and honest, and now she is one of the worlds best loved celebrities. I honestly believe that if she hadn't have done what she did we would not have some of the programmes and gay characters we now take for granted. I hope the gay community never forget what she has done for us. WE LOVE YOU ELLEN!

CONGRATULATIONS!! All the love in the world.

Portia...

Submitted by

browne (273 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 2:00am.

... looks so, so glam 8O

I know Ellen said she would show a tiny bit of the ceremony on her show - do you think that will be today???

Ellen and Portia knot!

Submitted by

Rachel JW (250 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 2:14am.

They're adorable. I'm so happy for them. :)

-Rachel

http://groups.myspace.com/KisstheGirl07

Congrats!

Submitted by

SunriseShadow (101 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 2:23am.

Congrats to both of them! They look absolutely gorgeous and so happy in those pics! Wishing them the best ^^

We don't need sleep to be dreamers

this makes me so incredibly

Submitted by

tess (35 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 4:57am.

this makes me so incredibly happy. their existence as a couple alone, and finally a married couple, has done so much for the lesbian community on so many levels. i'm thankful as hell to be a young lesbian living in this time and place. and for people like ellen & portia paving the way. their union seems a milestone in the making, yes?

Well put.

Submitted by

Jessy (53 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 5:37am.

I agree, Ellen definitely paved the way for us young lesbians and the fact that she got married to Portia gives everyone hope and joy, you can tell by all the positive and happy comments. A milestone indeed!

Somehow...

Submitted by

Carol (28 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 3:44pm.

Somehow I can't stop thinking we're witnessing history in the making.

Such a important day for the lesbian community =)

Portia looks gorgeous as

Submitted by

chocolatebars (78 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 5:15am.

Portia looks gorgeous as always. They looks so happy. awww!

Congrats to the happy newly

Submitted by

Amylin (194 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 5:16am.

Congrats to the happy newly married couple :) I wish them lots of happiness!

Portia's dress is stunningly beautiful!

So cute!

Submitted by

Jessy (53 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 5:34am.

Congrats to these two! They both looked amazing!!

Congrats to Ellen and Portia

Submitted by

Arc (11 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 6:00am.

Congrats to Ellen and Portia - they looked amazing! I hope they have a long and happy future together!

Good time to re-watch Ellen's sitcom proposal

Submitted by

Angie5x5 (199 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 6:05am.

Ellen proposing to Laurie on her sitcom. Watch to the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjiVpCBf4mA

LOVE Portia's dress! Cute

Submitted by

Lacey (241 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 6:28am.

LOVE Portia's dress!

Cute pics

I agree! Portia looks

Submitted by

nowvoyager (38 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 7:08am.

I agree! Portia looks stunning. Her wedding dress is the nicest I've ever seen. They are such a lovely couple.

I'm so happy

Submitted by

AMGF (22 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 8:10am.

For Ellen and Portia! I hope they had a wonderful ceremony and it really touches me to see how happy and in love they look! I hope they have a beautiful, long, and loving life together!

As for the troll poster- the fact that he would even think it's okay to post a comment like that on an LGBT site TELLS me he has about zero common sense....

A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold Stokowski

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space betw

Beautiful Life: Ellen & Portia's Dreams Come True

Submitted by

Miss Ketina (1011 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 9:15am.

www.myspace.com/lunakiss7

I love Ellen D to death. Seriously, I'm so happy, so happy for her to be in a state of happiness. I'm glad love has come to her b/c she has so much to give. Portia is her rock. I bless them a happy and blissful married life to them. One of the most enduring couples on the planet and in the universe. Must had been a sweet and lovely day. Their great role models.

Happy!

congrats!

Submitted by

newbie (27 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 9:35am.

very very happy for them! wish them the best!

Congratulations!

Submitted by

imthey (450 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 5:14pm.

Congratulations to the happy couple... I too was a bit misty eyed when reading about their nuptials and seeing the photos.

According to the latest from People.com it looks like singer Joshua Radin was the one that performed at the wedding.

I do recall hearing Ellen say that she'll show some footage from the wedding on her talk show, which I believe is slated to return with new episodes in September.

(Self Appointed) "#1 Bridget McManus Fan"

I M THEY ("Think Sideways")

Congrats to Ellen and

Submitted by

rainbowcoloredb... (192 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 9:48am.

Congrats to Ellen and Portia. They both look amazing and wonderful together.

And thanks to the moderators for removing that religious, homophobic bigot. I can't believe they infiltrated AE as well. Don't they have enough sites on which to spew their hatred. They should know they are not welcome here.

ed&portia

Submitted by

swoopesbabe (43 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 10:01am.

love them, So happy 4 them its great 2c an beautiful couple so in love get married.

{ELLEN&PORTIA=4 life}

EEEEE!!!

Submitted by

Aeriana Eve (16 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 10:13am.

Oh it's so happy! They look stunning, goodness. I love that the E video didn't hype it up as a lesbian wedding, just the marriage of a loving couple. =) My only question is why wasn't I invited!?

Yea

Submitted by

Krista LaRotonda (15 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 10:22am.

Congrats to them, I wish them all the BEST!!!!

Yay!

Submitted by

smartie (47 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 11:00am.

All I can say is yay!

The world is definately becoming a better place.

*don't judge*

squeals

Submitted by

bananaf (145 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 11:12am.

I'm SO happy for them!! They look so beautiful together!!

and I agree with smartie, the world is definitely becoming a better place. :)

What a gay Saturday!

Submitted by

GayGirl (5 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 11:18am.

Congrats to Ellen & Portia! :o) They are SO great together.

And how cool is it that they got married on Madonna's 50th birthday?! I mean, I'm sure they don't care about that, but that just made this past Saturday some kind of gay Christmas. ;o)

That's right, I said it!
- GayGirl2000

Check out my blog: http://gaygirl2000.blogspot.com/

whoo hoo

Submitted by

wyle e coyote (40 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 12:18pm.

Portia is so painfully, unbelievably gorgeous, it makes me want to cry. Just sit and cry and cry and cry.

Happy for them, though.

______________________________________________________________

Bridget: Are you really crying because you're not lesbians in real life? Is that why you cry?

Eden Riegel: Well, wouldn't that make you cry?

yes!

Submitted by

LezAgrssion (3 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 1:05pm.

im so happy for them, wish them the best!!

= ] beautiful.

joining in with the eeeeeeee!

Submitted by

it_means_joy (43 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 1:09pm.

this makes me ridiculously happy :) both in terms of what it means for the lgbt society as a whole, and for ellen and portia as individuals - they look amazing together in those photos. really hope their married life is awesome!

tHey look soooo cozy

Submitted by

danieLLe (12 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 1:55pm.

tHey look soooo cozy togetHer... best wisHes.... =)

..attack Life, its goNNa kiLL you aNyway..

Girl-girl is the new black!

Submitted by

DeeVanderbeek (2 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 2:25pm.

Hooray! Girl-girl is the new "black." It's exciting to see stars bold enough to talk about their alternative relationships in public. Fans of Ellen will love the dangerous, true girl-girl-girl romance written about by a Harvard Grad, his crazy wife and real Romanian dancers in: "Caribbean Dreams: TRUE STORY of an Ivy League Couple who Bought a STRIP CLUB in the Caribbean" www.caribbeanstripclub.com

Congrats

Submitted by

sexy2lip (5 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 2:35pm.

They look great together. Congrats gals!!!

Yay

Submitted by

Sara (58 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 2:53pm.

Congrats :)

I am glad they did it....

Submitted by

Ariann (1386 posts)

on August 18, 2008 - 3:51pm.

And want to wish them the best. Lets pray some day that the all of the USA will allow gay marriages in their states.

Portia and Ellen

Submitted by

Steph (1 post)

on August 20, 2008 - 5:51am.

As a Brit I find it hard to understand why the gay marriage thing is such a big issue in the majority of the US. In the UK it's just an everyday thing now (although my girlfriend and I have yet to get our act together!!) and I just can't believe it's not the same in the good old US of A. Surely it will all be sorted one day soon!

Anyway, go Ellen and Portia - totally hot and totally out - what could be better.

Hi to all you US girls from little old England!!

xxx