Video: Joan Rivers officiates impromptu same-sex wedding at book signing
Joan Rivers has officiated a same-sex wedding for two fans at a New York book signing.
The 81-year-old comedian – who is a registered minister in the state – agreed to perform an impromptu wedding for Jed Ryan and Joe Aiello, when they approached her at the book signing for her new autobiography.
Aiello told ET: “While we were waiting, we were reading the book, she mentioned being an ordained minister, and I jokingly asked [Ryan]: ‘Do you think it’s true? Maybe she’ll marry us?’.
“And he goes, ‘Ask her.’ So I did. I don’t think he really thought I would, and neither one of us thought she’d say yes!”
Rivers got the crowd at the ceremony to sing “Here comes the groom”, before marrying the men.
She said: “By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I am able to make the two of you into husband and husband.”
She told the couple: “It’s wonderful – you’re my second marriage!”
Rivers has previously officiated a wedding for a gay couple atop the Empire State Building .
Aiello said: “I think I would have dressed a little better if I’d known this was going to be our big night.”
Rivers joked: “Every wedding I officiate has a cover charge and a two-drink minimum.”
