It was warm that day, for November at least, for a November day in Utah, when Natalie and Levin tied the knot at the Draper Utah temple. Love, as they say, was in the air.

Meet Natalie and Levin.

2012 wedding days are filling up. If you’re planning a wedding of your own and photography is one of your priorities for your big day, let’s talk. 801.916.6993. Getting married outside Utah? No problem!

Here’s the first of a couple weddings I photographed in Idaho last month. Rachel and Preston’s wedding took place in Rexburg, Idaho on a glorious fall day, and I was so happy to be their photographer. Her dress, oh, man. It’s part brand-new, part 100 years old. I think you’re going to like. And here’s a fun fact about their reception. They brought in 30 aspen trees for their background. Very cool.

Now meet Rachel and Preston.

Wedding: Rexburg Idaho Temple
Reception: The Woodman Ballroom

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Planning a wedding of your own? We should talk.

I love Park City in the fall. Actually, I love Park City any time, but the fall is particularly pleasant. So, I was happy to be there for Jen and Ben’s wedding at The Canyons. Having your wedding at the Red Pine Lodge is a grand experience. To get there, you and all your guests take a 15 minute gondola ride to the top of the mountain, well above 8,000 feet. So, high up in the mountains where the air is crisp and cool, Ben and Jen tied the knot. Gorgeous. Just gorgeous.

Meet Ben and Jen.

I’m photographing a wedding in Los Angeles this weekend and I’m really looking forward to that. Coming up on the blog soon, a couple weddings I photographed recently in Idaho. Planning a wedding of your own? Let’s talk. I can’t wait to hear about your big day and talk about how I can help.

Meet Rachelle and Patrick. Married at Millcreek Inn on a lovely autumn day.

Venue: Millcreek Inn

The Alta Lodge is such a great place to have a wedding. I’ve photographed a few up there, and always so happy to be able to do so.

Now here’s a sweet story: Aimie, the bride, her bridesmaids and her mother were all getting reading before the wedding and having a good time. Make-up, hair, you know the drill. Someone came in the room with a gift for Aimie. It was a beautiful necklace from Matt, her soon to be husband, accompanied with a note that said, “To my beautiful bride on our wedding day. I can’t wait to see you at the altar.”

Venue: Alta Lodge
Aimie’s wedding dress: Alta Moda Bridal

Both Aimie and Matt were living in Austin most of this year, so it was in early January (they were both home for Christmas) when we took engagement pictures.

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Justin Hackworth photographs happy couples on mountains or in valleys and he wants to photograph you. Feel free to contact me and we can chat about your big day.

Kelsi and Christian got married in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple and had a beautiful reception at a friend’s house in Orem. It rained a little that day and the weather could have take a turn for the worst later that night. Instead, just about an hour before the guests would arrive, those stormy clouds shuffled on by and and decided to go somewhere else, leaving Kelsi and Christian a perfect night for celebrating with family and friends the start of their new life together.

Meet Kelsi and Christian.

Storm before the calm

Goodnight everybody

Fun fact and totally unrelated side-note. This is my 900th post on this blog.

Ashley and Anthony got married in Temecula this summer. Makes sense. That’s where they’re both from and where their friends and family live. And let’s be honest, why wouldn’t you get married there. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

They started the wedding celebration the night before at Ashley’s father’s house. Close friends and family gathered, ate dinner, and made a few toasts. No one fell in the pool, so that part of the night wasn’t at all similar to what happens in the movies. But Ashley told me that many blissful late nights have been spent with friends in that pool, and from what she told me, it sounds like that part is exactly like what happens in the movies.

The next day I started the afternoon at a lovely house in the hills where the girls were getting ready and enjoying some celebration champagne. Here’s how the wedding day unfolded.

Ashley, lovely bride

Hair, just so. Very important.

Trust me. It's going to fit.

I wish I knew what they were looking at

Bridesmaid and owner of the home where the girls got ready

Starting early

Finishing touches

Me and Ashley (I'm the one wearing a tie)

Soon to be wed

Even the bike is cute

A didgeridoo at a wedding? Now that's cool. So California-y

The Groom

Here comes the bride

Wedding attendees

Patient groom

Groomsmen

That's a lot of people that love Ashley and Anthony

Bridesmaids

kissy, kissy

We're in love!

We're still in love

Anthony's sister

The wedding party

Bridesmaids

Groomsmen

Ashley + Anthony = newlyweds

First dance

The crowd goes nuts

Slow dancing, swaying to the music

The band

The band

If you have a wedding in Temecula, it could look like this

The sun sets, the band plays, people dance

A good time had by all

A really good time was had by this guy

Father of the bride

Mother of the Groom

Temecula wedding reception

And they lived happily ever after

And here’s what Ashley had to say about her experience with Justin Hackworth Photography:

Wow, all I can say is you have a gift! You have a special talent to capture every important and beautiful moment through that lens of yours.  I was blown away with your sweet charm that won everyone over at our wedding.  Everyone in our wedding party loved you and felt very special because you gave everyone their own little photo shoot and quality time.  We felt like you were part of the family and you are welcome back anytime! You are the best and we feel so lucky that you flew out to Southern California to make our day so special! You truly captured so much candidness and made our photos look purely organic and authentic. We love them so much and cannot THANK  YOU enough for your amazingness!!!!
Ashley and Anthony Armijo

Planning a wedding of your own? We should talk. Here is a link to my contact info.

The wedding took place in Salt Lake City. The Draper Temple to be exact. It’s not hard to see that Kiersten and Jordan are in love, and on their wedding day, they just couldn’t have looked any happier.

After the wedding, they had a reception for family and friends at The Dock of the Bay restaurant at Deer Creek Reservoir. Then, they left in a boat. I’ll say that again. They left in a boat. Ahhhh, now that’s romantic.

Draper Temple

Hooray for love

The bride and groom

His family

Bridesmaids

Hey, let me see that

Bride and groom

Bride and groom

Draper Temple

Yep. In love.

Dock of the Bay restaurant

Dock of the Bay restaurant

Before the party begins, one must have plenty of rest

Flowers. Smell them. Oh ya, those are real.

Fancy girls

Bridesmaids

How to be beautiful

Still in love

Let's reminisce right now about 5 seconds ago

A wedding reception, may, in some cases, look like this.

Long legs, longer shadows

Dock of the Bay at Deer Creek

Dock of the Bay at Deer Creek on a gorgeous summer night

Bride and groom cut the cake, while me and that other lady take a picture

How to photograph a wedding

First dance

Here, does anybody want this?

Suits and dresses and a boat dock are a great combination

Let's have the bride and groom walk through this pathway.

The bride and groom leaving the party

Thanks for coming to our wedding. Now excuse us as we leave on a boat while you go clean up.

Romantic kiss on a boat. All by themselves. And me.

And they lived happily ever after.

Justin Hackworth photographs happy couples on land or on sea and he wants to photograph you.

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Planning a wedding of your own and authentic, candid moments are the kind of pictures that float your boat? Let’s talk.

On a beautiful day in June, Laura and Austin got married in Salt Lake City. Later that night in a friend’s backyard, they had their wedding reception that was packed with lovely details, beautiful people, delicious food and dancing.

Here they are, funny and fun, Laura and Austin.

The Bride and Groom at the Salt Lake Temple

Mother of the groom

Cute as can be. Little individaul smore boxes as party favors

The food at their wedding reception was delicious

Cheers

I love this picture

First dance

Father of the bride

Don't start my dress on fire, little dude

Also, Laura works at Salon K. Go there. It’s awesome.

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Justin Hackworth photographs happy people and lovely events. Planning a fancy gathering of your own and beautiful pictures are a big priority? Call me. I can help you out with that. 801.916.6993

Marin and Drew got married in Alabama and then had a lovely reception in Provo. Here are photographs from their wedding reception. But first, a quick side-note. I photographed Drew’s (the groom) brother’s wedding a while ago. I’d link to it on this blog, but it was in 2003 and I didn’t have a blog then. I’m talking about Amanda and Cubby. Amanda’s not only a great photographer and one of my favorites, but she’s also a florist along with her twin sister Chealsea, who is an amazing painter. They did the flowers for Marin and Drew. Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. Great job, Amanda and Chelsea.

And now, meet Marin and Drew.

Marin and Drew

Bride and groom

Cubby and Amanda

Zach and Monica

Mother of the bride

Yoema and Matt got married in Idaho Falls on a gorgeous day in June. The weather report said rain. Nope. Just clear skies and good times. I’d spent the previous week in Rexburg, having photographed another wedding at the Idaho Falls temple the week before.

And now, let me introduce you to Yoema and Matt.

I always wonder if I’ll run into anyone I know at wedding receptions I’m photographing. Turns out, Hilary was there. So, extra fun added to the night.

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Justin Hackworth photographs happy people and beautiful events and he wants to photograph you. Planning a wedding of your own? Let’s talk. 801.916.6993.

Amanda and Chris got married in Idaho Falls last month. That’s where she’s from. They’ve both been in L.A. now that school is finished for both of them and they’re just working hard at jobs they like.

So I got to Idaho the night before the wedding and went to Amanda’s house where a party with friends and family was in full swing. The nicest people you’d ever meet. Amanda’s parents even have a sign hanging in their kitchen that says, “be nice”.

The next day, the wedding day, the sun came out and love was in the air.

Meet Amanda and Chris.

Buy prints and view the whole event here:
justinhackworth.instaproofs.com

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Getting hitched? We should talk.

Spend any length of time around Jihan and you will, no doubt, leave her presence feeling happy to be alive. You’ll want to create better art, or be kinder to people around you, have a french accent, or you’ll want to write a poem or a song, and then you’ll wish she lived in your town. But she probably doesn’t live in your town (unless you live in L.A.) but here’s the good news. She’s created a business where she sells something that will nearly give you that same feeling. Balloons. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Balloons? Are you kidding me Hackworth? I can get a free balloon at the pharmacy and I don’t feel a thing. And I’ll say, yes, but not balloons like this.

Let me introduce you to Geronimo Balloons. First of all, they are enormous. I can guarantee that even if you have a giant head and people are always gasping at how big your head is, these balloons are 10 times bigger. If you’re head is as big as this balloon, go to the emergency room right now. Also, forget the chance of ever finding a hat that fits.

But back to the balloons. So they are big, but then there’s the fancy stuff. Jihan dresses up these things like they are on their way to a party. And so, that’s just what they are suited for. If you are planning a wedding where good times are part of the recipe, then I think you’ll want to know about Jihan and her fabulous balloons. And having something like this around will leave you feeling good, good inside. Almost like being around Jihan, herself.

Honestly, we walked along the beach yesterday and people stopped and stared at these things. A little girl came up to her and asked if she was in a magazine. These things are show-stoppers and I think they are the perfect accent to a beautiful event. People are just going nuts for these in California. What’s it all about? Why does she do it? Is she really that charming? Watch this video and see for yourself.

I heart Geronimo Ballons.

I’m in California right now for Ashley and Anthony’s wedding. Here’s the rehearsal dinner and party from last night.

I’m really looking forward to the wedding today. Gorgeous location, beautiful couple, and amazing weather. Hooray for love!

Noelle and Kevin got married at Sundance last month on a gorgeous Saturday morning. A small and beautiful affair with family and a handful of friends. I was so happy to be there to photograph the happy day because Noelle and Kevin are about as charming as can be, and Sundance is such a beautiful place for a wedding.

Meet Noelle and Kevin.

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It’s that time of year, lots of weddings. I just returned from photographing two weddings on back to back Saturdays in Idaho and this Friday I’m on my way to photograph a wedding in Temecula, CA, then back to Utah for a wedding in Provo. I love this part of the year (love is in the air) and I love to shoot weddings. Planning one of your own and photography is a priority for you? Let’s talk.

A little bit of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of Kellee and Harold on their wedding day. They got married in the Salt Lake Temple and had a beautiful backyard reception at her parents house in Provo. Oh sure, it sprinkled some, but if you ask me, it was a perfect day.

And now, meet Kellee and Harold.

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Rain or shine, Justin Hackworth photographs happy people and beautiful events and he wants to photograph you.

Their wedding took place in Manti, Utah on a day in April that could have been mistaken for December. But just about the time we were going to take group pictures out front, what do you know, the sun came out and the snow stopped. But just for a bit. Then the snow started again. But just for a bit. Kind of crazy.

Meet Gwen and Josh.

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Justin Hackworth photographs weddings in Utah and beyond and he wants to photograph you. Got a wedding of your own? Let’s talk.

I’m so excited to have Whitney and Richard’s gorgeous wedding featured on The Knotty Bride. I love Alison’s blog because she’s funny and a great writer in addition to being a great photo editor. Those are three great skills that not every wedding blogger possesses. Three cheers for the Knotty Bride, and three cheers for Whitney for having such great taste in wedding details. Her wedding was both fun and beautiful. Looking at these pictures makes me want summer to be here, now.

In other news, the 30 Strangers project begins on Friday. Holy smokes I’m excited for that. I can’t wait to get going on it. I’ve been meeting with one of the coolest people I’ve ever met, a mister Stephen Martin, who is helping me with the P.R. for this year’s exhibit (currently planned for September). Our plan is to create a bigger event than in previous years so we can raise even more money for the Center for Women and Children in Crisis than we have in previous years. Good things are cooking up.

How to plan a wedding

Last week we gathered the finest wedding professionals this side of the Mississippi and put on a fancy party for recently engaged girls. We called it Blushing and it turned out to be a smashing success.

The idea (all Amy’s) was sort of an anti-bridal fair. We wanted to create something that was, above all, swanky and fun, where girls that are planning a wedding could come relax, have a good time, eat good food, hear good music, and talk to the best wedding vendors around.

So that’s just what we did and everyone had a great time and we were so pleased with how things played out. The next morning one girl sent an email that said, “I just wanted to thank you again for the event last night, I was basically on cloud nine to say the least, it was a great event that got all my creative juices pumping!!! I look forward to getting to know you in the future!”

Another girl wrote and said, “I wanted to say thank you for putting on such a WONDERFUL event. The evening was beautiful. Honestly, it is the best bridal event I have attended thus far. Blushing was very classy and you catered to what a bride really needs. The bridal events I have attended in the past have been very loud and overwhelming, but Blushing was perfect. It was calm, great music, personable vendors that you could tell really wanted to get to know you. I just wanted to let you know that you did a fantastic job of creating such a lovely event. It was a real treat to attend.” That’s just the sort of response we were hoping for.

Of course Amy and I can’t take all the credit. This was a team effort that just would not have happened without Mood Events who took our idea and made it 100 times better. Not only did Matt, Garrett and Alfreda think of every detail to make certain this was a night we’d all remember, but they are so easy and pleasant to work with. I want to do another party like this, just so I can hang out with them some more. I give them my highest recommendation.

We had live music from the very smooth, very talented Nik Day and the food (oh my, deep breath) the food was provided by The Catering Company. It was so fancy, I didn’t even know what any of it was. (When it comes to food, I’m a bit of a dilettante). There was something with goat cheese, though. I know that. And I ginger-mint drink that made me want someone to hook me up to an IV with that stuff.

Honestly, the party wouldn’t have been as fun or worthwhile without the rest of the vendors. Here’s the list of those that were involved:

Featuring:
Alta Moda Bridal – Wowed everyone with a sample gown
The Catering Company – Still dreaming about their food
Dippidee – Served wedding cake at he end of the night
The Flower Basket Botique – Provided all the flowers and they were gorgeous
Velour Live Music Gallery – A perfect location for our party
Seraph Stationery – Made the letterpress invitations the girls received.
Mood Events and Production – Genius.
Nik Day Music – The secret ingredient to any party
Versa Artistry – Provided girls with a lip bar, kissy, kissy
John Beesley Goldsmith – Gave every bride pearl earings
Justin Hackworth Photography – That’s me!

Details by Mood Events

Versa Artistry provided a lip bar

Flower from the Flower Basket Botique

Corey, owner of Velour Live Music Gallery

The gift bags had over $150 worth of cool stuff

The red carpet at the entrance

Cake from Dippidee

Ben Webster's beard, and Ben Webster

One of Alta Moda's beautiful gowns

The Jewler, Andrew Beesley

From the Catering Company

The catering Company at work

Versa Artistry

Nik Day

Beautiful Lucy

Amy gives a toast to all the brides at end the night

The gang's all here - Blushing Vendors

Garrett, Alfreda, Matt from Mood Events with Amy and I.

Not only did the girls walk away with a gift bag their roomates were sure to covet, but we had give-aways throughout the night with very cool prizes from each vendor.

Amy and I had such a great time that night and we went home that night feeling so good about it.

Thanks to all the girls that came. It was wonderful to meet you.

Thanks to Utah Bride and Groom, Utah Bride Blog, Southern Weddings Magazine, Kristian Regal.

Thanks to all the vendors for contributing your talents, your craft and your positive vibes.

Thanks to Amy for such a fantastic idea. Let’s do this again some time.

And if you are planning a wedding of your own, there are a lot of great choices in Utah and the vendors that contributed to this party would be a good place to start.

First, let me say a huge thanks to Nie Nie for hosting our wedding giveaway on her blog. That’s the first thing that must be said. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

And now we have a winner. It’s Ashley Witt who had this to say about winning.

So this morning I wake up and grab my phone to check the time and see my mom left two messages. I call her back instantly because her messages were very loud and in both she just said “CALL ME!!!!.” I was a little freaked out so I proceeded to phone her and all she said was -you won, you won- and I was like what the heck did I win.  I completely forgot that I even entered anything becuase I will still slightly sleeping.  I thought for a second and thought that she was kidding.  She said she was looking at Stephanies blog this morning and not expecting anything saw our names as the winners.  She instantly starting screaming “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” I guess she was screaming so loudly saying this that she woke up my Step Dad Kevin and he was under the impression that she won the lottery or even better, payed off her morgage! haha little did he know that it was something completely different but equally as special and that was that I won Justin Hackworth’s skills and talent for the most important day of my life.  I am still emotional about this since I have never even won something as puney a scratcher ticket.  I do  believe that my Great Grandma Annella was channeling in from the heavens rubbing her good luck off on me.  Grams was an insperation to everyone and this is her way of saying she is happy for us and wishes she was here. Thank you soooo soooo much again for chosing us, this makes us feel so special and you will not be disapointed for it is going to be a magical night!!!!

Congratulations, Ashley. I’m so excited for your wedding.

I’ve got to say, this was a really fun contest for me to host. We had so many people that wrote and shared their love stories with us. Amy and I read every word of every email. I started to makes notes of some re0ccuring themes that I was seeing over and over. Then I deleted those notes by mistake. (Oh, brother). The biggie was timing. That kept coming up over and over. Timing was such an essential element to so many people’s story. Lots of people had just come out of a bad relationship when they met their fiance. Lots of people had know their fiance in high school but nothing really started to light up until they met at a party during college (or something like that). Timing. It’s all about the timing.

The other thing that stood out (and this is going to seem obvious) is that everyone wrote told me about how excited they are about their upcoming wedding, and how excited they are to spend the rest of their life with the one they love. It was beautiful. Email after email of people talking about happiness, bliss, and love. I couldn’t help but smile.