Mayor's Wedding Reception
Mayor Parker and spouse celebrate their marriage at gala reception withenthusiastic crowd
- Kathy Hubbard and Mayor Annise Parker danced to the Etta James classic "AtLast," as the audience cheered.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
- Parker and Hubbard, center, cut the wedding cake with their family.Photo by Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup
- The cake, topped by two brides, was made by Acadian Bakery.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
- A large crowd filled the Corinthian Sunday afternoon to celebrate the marriageof Mayor Annise Parker and Kathy HubbardPhoto by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
- Kathy Hubbard, left, and Mayor Annise Parker make a grand entrance at theirwedding reception at The Corinthian.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
- Mayor Annise Parker and Kathy Hubbard share a poignant moment during the firstdance.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
- Jovon Tyler made the toast on behalf of himself and the couple's children,Sheri, Marquitta and Daniela Parker.Photo by Shelby Hodge
- Susan Christian, left, and Laura Spanjian with their son, Eli.Photo by Shelby Hodge
- From left, Barry Silverman, Mayor Annise Parker, Kathy Hubbard, Shara Fryer.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
- Ann and Kenny Friedman with City Council member Ellen Cohen.Photo by Shelby Hodge
- Claudia Solis and Dutch Small.Photo by Shelby Hodge
- Everyone wants a photo opp with Kathy Hubbard, in blue, and Mayor Annise Parker.Steve and Barbara Levine at far left.Photo by Shelby Hodge
- Charles and Lily Foster at Mayor Parker's wedding reception.Photo by Shelby Hodge
- Mayor Annise Parker and Kathy Hubbard thanked the crowd and talked about theirwedding.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
- The five-tiered wedding cake focal point of the gathering.Photo by Shelby Hodge
- Bob and Gracie Cavnar with Terry Wayne Jones, right.Photo by Shelby Hodge
- Family portrait: Mayor Annise Parker and Kathy Hubbard, center, with theirchildren.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
- Arthur Baird, from left, Evan Thayer, Philamena Baird and Ken Gayle.Photo by Shelby Hodge
- Jovon Tyler, Romey Mitchell, center, and Sonja Mitchell.Photo by Shelby Hodge
- Mayor Annise Parker and Kathy Hubbard toast their wedding with their family.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
- Kathy Hubbard and Mayor Annise Parker share a kiss during their dance.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
After a private wedding in Palm Springs, Calif., in mid-January, Mayor Annise Parker and Kathy Hubbard shared their happiness with close to 500 celebrants at The Corinthian Sunday afternoon. The festivities included a champagne toast from their four children, a first dance, cutting of the wedding cake and congratulations from the cheering crowd.
Close friends of the couple Kathryn McNiel and Katy Caldwell organized the gathering that began with the idea of a small dinner party, then grew into a reception for no more than 200, then mushroomed into such a throng that it had to be moved from a private home to the swank party space in downtown Houston. McNiel allowed that once the RSVP list had surpassed 375, they stopped counting and moved to the larger venue.
"I'm sad that we had to go to California," the mayor told the gathering. "But I'm so glad that we were able to." She added that they had hoped to be wed in Texas, but that was not in the cards.
"We are overjoyed that you are finally married," their son said in a toast.
Supporters cheered and applauded as Parker and Hubbard descended the stairs, hand in hand, from the balcony of The Corinthian to join the celebrants in the vast ballroom, packed with supporters. "Unchained Melody" played on the DJ system as the beaming couple joined their friends. Among those offering congratulations were State Sen. Rodney Ellis, Lilly and Charles Foster and city council members including Ellen Cohen, Stephen Costello and David Robinson.
After numerous photos with fans, iPhones and cameras popping, the couple joined their children around the wedding cake for toasts and words of love to one another. They sealed their commitment before friends and supporters with a kiss.
The newlyweds' 36-year-old son Jovon Tyler led the family toast saying, "The two of you took in all four of us when no one else would . . . You have shown us pure love and happiness and the only time we've seen you fight was when it was about us."
"We are overjoyed that you are finally married," he said.
The couple each kissed all four of the young adults who are part of the Parker/Hubbard family and the both commented on their relationship, the mayor reciting from a poem that she had specially written for Hubbard.
The mayor and Hubbard joined hands for their first dance to the Etta James classic "At Last." Guests hit the dance floor for an extended version of the Pharrell Williams hit, "Happy," as Parker danced with a number of guests, including State. Rep. Sylvester Turner and then the younger guests did an enthusiastic rendition of "the wobble."
For those who had missed the wedding, a video of the Palm Springs event was screened at one end of the ballroom. Among those heading in that direction to view the wedding were Karen and Roland Garcia, Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones, and Gracie and Bob Cavnar.
Reception guests included Ann and Kenny Friedman, Phoebe Tudor, Betsy and Danny Kamin, David Arpin and Alex Martinez, Debra Danburg, Shirley Dannenbaum, Steve Kirkland, Claudia Solis, Jackie Martin, Ed Smith, Susan Christian and Laura Spanjian with their young son Eli, Shara Fryer and Barry Silverman, Bart Truxillo, Tom Conry, Riyad Abu-Taha and Yasmine Gadelmola, and Cherri Carbonara and Tom McGhie.
Coincidentally, Philamena and Arthur Baird were there, celebrating their 29th wedding anniversary on Sunday.