A method of welding at least two workpieces (12,14) together by metallurgically joining faying surfaces of the workpieces (12,14), the method comprising: placing the workpieces (12,14) together so that the faying surfaces thereof face each other and a joint region is defined, the joint region comprising an intersurface portion defined by and between the faying surfaces; welding the workpieces (12,14) together by performing a multistage welding process along the joint region, the multistage welding process characterized by: conducting a laser beam welding process on the joint region and then conducting a hybrid laser arc welding process on the joint region, the laser beam welding process comprising projecting a first laser beam onto the joint region and causing a projection of the first laser beam on the joint region to travel along the joint region, penetrate the intersurface portion of the joint region, and form a preliminary weldment in the joint region, the hybrid laser arc welding process being conducted along the joint region and remelting the preliminary weldment, the hybrid laser arc welding process comprising simultaneously causing an electric arc and a second laser beam to travel along the joint region while melting a filler material with the electric arc, wherein projections (42,46) of the second laser beam and the electric arc on the joint region overlap to simultaneously form a weld pool in the preliminary weldment, wherein the first and second laser beams (32,34) are created by splitting a primary laser beam and the first laser beam is at a power level greater than, and/or, is more focused to have a smaller diameter than the second laser beam; and then cooling the workpieces (12,14) to yield a welded assembly comprising a weld joint within the joint region and through the intersurface portion thereof. placing the workpieces (12,14) together so that the faying surfaces thereof face each other and a joint region is defined, the joint region comprising an intersurface portion defined by and between the faying surfaces; welding the workpieces (12,14) together by performing a multistage welding process along the joint region, the multistage welding process characterized by: conducting a laser beam welding process on the joint region and then conducting a hybrid laser arc welding process on the joint region, the laser beam welding process comprising projecting a first laser beam onto the joint region and causing a projection of the first laser beam on the joint region to travel along the joint region, penetrate the intersurface portion of the joint region, and form a preliminary weldment in the joint region, the hybrid laser arc welding process being conducted along the joint region and remelting the preliminary weldment, the hybrid laser arc welding process comprising simultaneously causing an electric arc and a second laser beam to travel along the joint region while melting a filler material with the electric arc, wherein projections (42,46) of the second laser beam and the electric arc on the joint region overlap to simultaneously form a weld pool in the preliminary weldment, wherein the first and second laser beams (32,34) are created by splitting a primary laser beam and the first laser beam is at a power level greater than, and/or, is more focused to have a smaller diameter than the second laser beam; and then cooling the workpieces (12,14) to yield a welded assembly comprising a weld joint within the joint region and through the intersurface portion thereof.