It was a case of here come the brides for Ellen DeGeneres and Australian love Portia de Rossi.
The Hollywood couple married at an intimate ceremony at the weekend inside the grounds of their $US29 million ($A33.4 million) Beverly Hills estate.
Their marriage has prompted renewed criticism of the Australian Federal Government's stance on same-sex marriages.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener Peter Furness said yesterday it was shameful the Government would not recognise the couple's legal status.
Same-sex relationships can be registered in Tasmania and the ACT, but the Federal Government opposes them having marriage status.
The Marriage Act was amended in 2004 to make it clear that marriage in Australia can only be between a man and a woman, and that same-sex marriages solemnised in other countries would not be recognised in Australia.
''Every time DeGeneres and de Rossi visit de Rossi's family in Australia, their rights, protections and status as a married couple will cease to exist'', Mr Furness said.
''It is shameful that Portia de Rossi's solemn marriage vows are dishonoured in this way by the Government of her home country.''
Independent polling had shown almost 60 per cent of Australians supported same-sex marriage, Mr Furness said.
DeGeneres, one of America's top TV talkshow hosts, and Geelong-born actress de Rossi, both wore designs by Zac Posen as they exchanged written wedding vows.
De Rossi's mother, Margaret Rogers, flew from Australia for the nuptials, also attended by 18 other guests.
''Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi were married tonight in an intimate ceremony at their home in Los Angeles,'' their spokesperson told People magazine.
The tranquility of the wedding, held inside a marquee in the backyard of the extravagant property, contrasted with desperate paparazzi in helicopters and hiding out in scrubland attempting to nab photographs of the couple.
News of the impending nuptials first leaked to celebrity blogs on Wednesday, and in the lead-up to the ceremony photographers and tabloid reporters held vigil outside the mansion, noting the arrival of catering trucks and florists.
DeGeneres, 50, and de Rossi, 35, began dating in late 2004.
The couple have joined thousands of others in California taking advantage of the state's landmark court ruling in May allowing gay marriage.
The law, however, may soon be overturned.
Groups in California opposing gay marriage have successfully applied to have the issue decided by the state's voters when they go to the polls for the November 4 presidential election.
On the ballot, voters will be asked to support or oppose Proposition 8 which asks for ''only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California''.
De Rossi, who was married to film-maker Melvin Metcalfe for two years, was born Amanda Lee Rogers and was raised in Geelong, but chose the name Portia de Rossi when she was 15.
The actress starred in the 1994 Australian movie Sirens with Elle Macpherson and moved to the US where she had a role in 1997's teen horror film Scream 2.
Her big break was a leading role in the 1997 legal comedy TV series, Ally McBeal. She also starred in the critically acclaimed comedy Arrested Development. AAP