GET HUBBIED

There is the obvious choice for wedding reportage this past week, but we will choose to forgo talking about a wedding that actually happened and that was very well attended and covered by the press, because here at the HubbyCo offices we're in the midst of the difficulties it takes to actually make a wedding happen.

We were feeling a little stressed out (to say the very least) this week and so we googled "wedding planning stress." Amongst the dozens of pages of tips for brides-to-be (no grooms-to-be stress sites were evident), we found this article that simply suggested that hiring a wedding planner would make for a much more relaxing experience.

This reminded us of the uniqueness of the endeavor that we are taking on and why we can't just hire someone to do it for us. There will be two marriages happening in September: one between the couple and the other between the couple and HubbyCo. We've curated many shows before, but never one that happened melded with a wedding and we're finding that this concoction of art and real-life can be a hard drink to blend and to swallow.

As is consistently the case for us, one of the main priorities in any project is to espouse a sense of community, collaborative spirit, hard work and a celebratory coming together to enjoy the fruits of our labor. It is that original vision for Get Hubbied we have to get back to, though the decisions to get there are difficult ones for us to make. More on that soon.

'Bridezillas' in an abstract sense, (applicable to many sides of the fence, including the people getting married, their parents, wedding planners and guests) aren't born that way, they erupt during the process of planning something incredibly detailed that they've never undertaken before. In our case, it's not about working with the artists or finding the right caterer, it's about communicating with your partner... in our case, partners.

If you're planning a wedding, and aren't collaborating with a coterie of artists and a curated wedding, then maybe your solution could be, like the below article suggests, to find a fourth party to swoop in and plan things for you, reduce stress and really allow yourself enjoy the process all the way along.

...or, you, your parents, your partner or your loved ones may turn into 'Bridezilla,' Groomonster, etc...

click here for some amusing and/or frightening stories

In addition to writing about wedding traditions from all directions and marriage in general, we've been using this space to make notice of upcoming exhibitions of all the artists who are in Get Hubbied. Guess who got a mention in the New York Times this week? Ours truly, Bettina Hubby. Check out the article about the upcoming show in Santa Barbara she's in, and if you happen to be in town on the weekend of May 21st, stop by for the tour of all ten artists in homes throughout the area. If not for the opening, then one of the weekends from the 21st, throughout June. Congratulations Hubby! We're all proud and excited to see the show. ~Tif

click here

An oddball and searing portrait of the gilded pair to wed.
To quote the artist describing his method as, "a broken ice-cream van approach"

click here for the article

Here at the Get Hubbied offices we are knee-deep in the thralls of wedding planning which can sometimes make you forget about the finish line... marriage! In Elizabeth Freeman's new book "The Wedding Complex," she writes about the relationship between 'weddings' and 'marriage' (making the astute observation that you don't even need a wedding to have a marriage.) Starting from this point she analyzes the wedding machine, the history of weddings, and contemporary traditions. We highly recommend it, but if you don't have the time, we highly recommend you read this interview on Indiebride.com

click here

Bettina and I were talking the other day about how we haven't talked to anyone who is part of an arranged marriage, nor have we ever met anyone in such a situation. It's uncharted terrain for Get Hubbied. I did a little looking around and found this article on NPR about a modern American couple, Shad and Sana, whose parents set them up. Of course what everyone really wants to know is if they are in love?, or do they even like each other? The husband in this couple says that people who are looking for love are missing out and that compatibility is more important. Don't we all wish we were that practical...

For the article, Matched By Mom: Arranged Marriage In America, by Jamie Tarabay
click here

An article proposing that marriages in which individuals demand inspiration and self-expansion from their partners, are happier more sustainable ones:
click here

I especially connected with the first story about how people argue, and how this particular man charted it out after muh observation. I remember my dad telling me long ago that there are certain rules for arguing that make it a productive exercise. The trouble with that for relationships I was in, was that I was the only one who knew the rules. I do think that there is a lot to gain by thinking about the resonance of your own words, and how much of what we argue about is usually far from the core of the matter.

Juicy article about the bond she and Richard Burton shared
click here

I just found it on Netflix, and though a bit dated, it still looks to be a thorough, thoughtful and relevant film. Here is a link to the film's website: click here

This provocative interactive installation is not to be missed. Visit the installation while not populated to experience it as a 'Silent' Disco.

And - to experience it while not silent, there is an Disco dance party on the 22nd of April. See the website for more information. click here

A excerpt from the site I quite enjoyed describing the project's purpose:
"The architectural project here is not limited to the execution of a design and its special effects, but a framework to encourage visual, physical and social pleasure." ========================================================================================================================================================================================================================================