Photo by Rose Apodaca =====================

Once everyone was seated and buzzing after the resonant Wedding March, and the handing over of the soon to be bride, Joe Sola began his 'Sermon,' which was welcoming, dignified and warm. He is so at home with orating and performing that he made it look as graceful as Cary Grant making a martini...until...he stated he would at this point like to talk about a few things before they go forward...he leaves the fireplace and positions himself in front of an easel and  a pad of paper next to a small table with a pitcher of water and a glass on it. As he flipped the page to reveal the first of many pie charts, there was a chuckle from the congregation - everyone was rivited. The charts pictured statistics about married couples, the percentages of which experience troubles in various categories, like home repair, weight gain, or television watching time. There were some very serious topics covered in the charts, but his delivery and the intermingling of comic relief struck the perfect balance. He then took a very very long sip of water, which confused some and created an eerie silence.

It was then that something happened, a kerfuffle commenced as he caught his pants on the easel and began to stumble and fall grabbing at the table as he tumbled.

People gasped. The pitcher and the glass (both made of sugar glass) went flying and crashed and shattered as Joe stumbled into the isle. My father, a doctor by trade, had a look of panic on his face and began to rush forward to help Joe. I put out my arm to block him and whispered that it was all part of Joe’s plan. It took Dad a minute to process, but then he clicked over to amusement and started filming it all with fervor. Joe picked himself up, brushed himself off and eased right into talking about how life will present a married couple with little disasters, but that by being together, remaining open and true to each other, that Bec and Ruben will avoid becoming a statistic. It was such an elegant accident, surprising, shocking even, but then wrapped up so smoothly and most importantly, projecting a positive message. It far exceeded my idea of what his presentation would emit, and it certainly livened the room.

photos by Tyler Hubby

Joe's statement when asked about what he wanted to say about the piece he did for Get Hubbied: "Love"

What followed were the vows led by Joe and the ring exchange, which brought everyone back to focus on the couple and their union.

The ring box was opened to reveal the twig inside wearing the two rings on it's branches. William Stone created it out of a fallen branch - the knot of the branch became the lid, add the word appropriately holding inside the circular symbols of tying the knot.

photos by Tyler Hubby

photo by Bettina Hubby

Over the mantle were the portraits of Bec and Ruben. It was powerful to see images of them from the past in front of the present, as they promised each other a future together. It was also mysterious and surreal, since the image he picked of Ruben is from a carnival where he's picking up a deflated set of barbells, and the one of Bec looks almost exactly the same as she looks now, both painted in the same gray blue pallet to psychologically enjoin the images.

"Based on two very different photographs from their youth, this diptych was created to consider Bec and Ruben's histories, commonalities, and identities both as individuals and as a couple."
~Abel

photo by Tyler Hubby

The was mic was turned over to me and I welcomed everyone, directing their attention to the word written on a piece of Mylar in front of them. I knew that if I had spoken the words of thanks I wanted to speak to Bec, Ruben, their parents, my family, my friends, Tif, and so many more, to express my gratitude for all of their faith, work, and open-mindedness, that my waterproof mascara certainly would have been put to the test. So I wrote those thoughts and split them up into singular words so that each guest, in succession, around the tables and throughout the room, would speak them for me. Everyone had fun with this way of orating. It was so special for me to have those responsible for allowing me to fulfill this vision-- these friends, families, artists, and of course, the couple-to-be the ones to lend the voice for my thoughts. I quote myself:

“This is my love letter to you Bec and Ruben: my platonic serenade, my one hundred and twenty something guest spoken bear hug. Words like: thank you and I love you seem too pale and lacking in the kind of heart, color, life and laughter you both have brought to my life and this project. But I DO.  You are the reason GET HUBBIED got to get to be. You and your brave and open-minded families have allowed me to lead you into your marriage through art. I am grateful beyond words so I thought if I could get this conglomeration of a congregation to speak it would emote  better. We will all witness your marriage and GET HUBBIED today. Our merger created this, and this is just the beginning.”