Melissa Rivers, the 57-year-old daughter of the late comedy icon Joan Rivers, recently celebrated her wedding to attorney Steve Mitchel, 63, in a heartfelt ceremony that marked a new chapter in her life. The wedding took place at the Four Seasons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on March 15, 2023, and was attended by 150 guests, including friends and family.
During the planning of her wedding, Rivers made it clear that she wouldn’t be wearing a traditional white dress. “I said I'm not wearing white, but I did have to promise Steve that I wouldn't wear black,” Rivers told PEOPLE. Instead, she chose a stunning gunmetal silver lamé gown from Stella McCartney's 2023 collection, although she had some plans to make personal adjustments. “I know Stella and I adore her, but I knew I was going to shorten it,” she explained. After some discussion with McCartney, Rivers successfully altered the gown to her liking.
After the ceremony, Rivers changed into a black dress by Brunello Cucinelli, embracing a casual and relaxed atmosphere for the celebration. “When we were planning it, our goal was simple: throw a party and have a wedding ceremony break out somewhere in the middle,” she said, reflecting on the event’s laid-back vibe.
The joyous occasion brought together a mix of guests, including 29 of Rivers' college friends from the University of Pennsylvania and several friends from the L.A. area. Her son, Cooper Endicott, 24, also gave a touching speech during the wedding. He humorously recounted the initial meeting of his friends with Mitchel, which garnered laughs from the audience. “Steve replied, 'I'm your worst nightmare,'” Cooper recalled, sharing the unexpected charm of the moment and expressing gratitude towards his new stepfather. “Thank you for taking me and my mom in with wide open arms,” he remarked.
Rivers acknowledged the emotional significance of her remarriage, especially in light of her late mother’s reaction, joking that Joan Rivers would be shocked by the news. “If she wasn't already dead, she would die. Finding out that I am getting married again, that news would've killed her,” Rivers added, noting that her mother understood her previous hesitations about marriage. However, upon meeting Mitchel, Rivers felt a change of heart. She described him as “just a solid guy,” someone who her mother would have approved of wholeheartedly. “He's kind, he's generous and well-mannered. Even a year and a half, almost two years in, he still opens the car door,” she said, expressing appreciation for his respectful nature and genuine character.
As they celebrate their union, Rivers and Mitchel are also navigating life's challenges. Earlier this year, they lost their home and all of their possessions in the Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025. Despite this hardship, Rivers expressed optimism about their future, stating, “The amount of genuine happiness in that room was so overwhelming.” In a moment of sincerity, she remarked, “I’m not one to be cliché and say, ‘Oh, you could feel the warmth and love!’ But you know what? I actually felt it! And I’m so grateful.”
Looking ahead, Melissa Rivers feels grateful for the support of her new husband and the positive energy surrounding their wedding celebration. As they begin this new chapter together, they are focusing on rebuilding and finding joy in every moment, embracing both the challenges and the happiness life brings.
