
Melissa Rivers and Steven Mitchel turned a near-canceled wedding into a joyful celebration despite losing their home to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
- Mar 21, 2025
AceShowbiz - Television host Melissa Rivers is officially taken off the market. The daughter of the late comedian Joan Rivers recently married attorney Steve Mitchel in a heartwarming ceremony.
The wedding took place on March 15 at the Four Seasons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, surrounded by 150 guests. This joyous occasion came just two months after the couple lost their Los Angeles home to the devastating Palisades fires.
"I was absolutely blown away," Rivers said to USA TODAY. "The love in the room was palpable. I usually roll my eyes at people who talk about 'feeling the love.' But this time, I actually got it."
Rivers, 57, initially considered canceling the ceremony due to the overwhelming loss. "I was tapping out, like 'I just can't do this,' " she told People magazine. However, friends who were also affected by the fires insisted that the wedding proceed, claiming it gave them something positive to focus on.
The celebration began with a welcome party and days of skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, culminating in the wedding ceremony. The event incorporated special touches honoring Joan Rivers, such as petite golden bee pins for guests - a nod to Joan's belief in the impossible, symbolized by bees' ability to fly.
Despite the chaos surrounding their lives, Rivers embraced the intimacy and support from those closest to her. "They told me, 'We need to be around you too,' " she recalled. This camaraderie helped fill the emotional void caused by the recent tragedy.
Rivers' son, Cooper Endicott, delivered a touching speech welcoming Mitchel into their family, with humor that drew laughter and tears from the gathered crowd. The ceremony even included a playful nod to their recent misfortune, with the couple dancing to "Burning Down the House" by Talking Heads, followed by "I Say a Little Prayer."
Following the heartfelt vows officiated by Sabrina Lott Miller, guests enjoyed an evening of dancing, dining on gourmet dishes like Korean fried chicken sliders and charred Brussels sprouts, and bonding.
"The energy, the happiness, the fact that people who just met were acting like lifelong friends by the end of the night - it was magic," Rivers reflected. "Or maybe it was the open bar. Either way, it was perfection."
The couple's enduring sense of humor and resilience shone through even in their most trying times. "It's very comforting to find out you do crisis so well together," Rivers noted. Despite the ongoing challenges, the newlyweds are looking forward to a brighter future together.
Melissa Rivers' wedding was not just a celebration of love, but a triumph over hardship, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, joy and unity can prevail.