After nearly four years as a couple, daytime talk show host and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres (The Ellen DeGeneres Show) and actress Portia de Rossi tied the knot Saturday night in an intimate ceremony attended by only 19 guests, including DeGeneres' mother Betty and de Rossi's mother Margaret Rogers, who flew all the way from her native Australia just to witness the occasion.

DeGeneres, 50, and de Rossi, 35, exchanged rings and vows in the backyard for their Beverly Hills home.  The couple's spokesperson confirmed the news to People.com. "Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi were married tonight in an intimate ceremony at their home in Los Angeles."

DeGeneres first announced her plans to marry de Rossi in her talk show in May, following the California Supreme Court decision to overturn the ban on same-sex marriage.  She also promised that part of the ceremony will be shown on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, for which she won her fourth consecutive Daytime Emmy for talk show host in June.

There are ongoing moves in the state to gather enough signatures to put a measure on the November ballot that will ultimately decide if a constitutional amendment to the ban on gay marriage will be upheld.

Well wishes flowed for the newly weds, including one from reality TV starlet Tila Tequila, who once claimed responsibility for the controversial decision, thanks to her bisexual-themed show. I love Ellen I watch her show all the time," she told AP Television.  "I just want to say congratulations and I am really sorry you didn't invite me to your wedding."

Katherine Heigl, meanwhile, emphasized on the special joy only your wedding day can give you.

"So I wish all the best, all the happiness, all the joy that comes with that certificate ... just the joy of being able to stand up and say that.  In front of everyone you love and care about in front of each other and to walk away legal is huge."

Glenn L. Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: TV Guide, Associated Press
(Image Courtesy of WiredImage.com)