A Summertime Taylorsville Temple Wedding & Log Haven Reception

Kaela and Spencer were sealed at the Taylorsville Utah Temple on June 19th and celebrated that evening at Log Haven, tucked into the pines of Millcreek Canyon. Their day was full of the kind of joy that spills over. A bridal party laughing and cheering, a big exit through a crowd of loved ones, and two people who are, quite simply, head over heels for each other.

If a Taylorsville Temple wedding or a Log Haven reception is on your radar, this real Utah wedding is full of ideas worth saving.

The Temple Exit: Pure Joy at Taylorsville Temple

There’s nothing quite like the moment when our couples burst through temple doors for the first time as husband and wife, grinning ear to ear, while their bridal party and families cheer them on. Taylorsville is one of my personal favorite temples to photograph, because the exit is surrounded with the most beautiful arch (making for stunning exit portraits).

Pro Tip: we like to gather your immediate family and bridal party right next to the doors, so they’re the first ones to see you come out… and it looks SO good in your portraits!

Portraits: Intimate Moments on the Temple Grounds

After the celebration died down, Kaela and Spencer slipped away for quiet portraits. Foreheads together in the shade of the temple, wandering through the beautiful temple gardens with her cathedral veil trailing behind, and a stolen kiss before they headed out in Spencer’s moms vintage blue BMW convertible. Every detail, from her classic veil to her all-white bouquet tied with a dusty blue ribbon, kept the palette timeless and soft.

The Ceremony: Willow Trees and a Private Pond at Log Haven

Kaela and Spencer’s ring ceremony was held outdoors at Log Haven, standing beneath towering willow trees beside the property’s private pond, with wrought iron arbors and a garden bursting with pink and purple blooms framing the aisle. It’s the kind of hidden-in-the-canyon, storybook backdrop that makes Log Haven one of the most unique wedding venues in Utah. Spencer’s brother officiated their ceremony and there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience. As he officiated, the audience all participated in warming the rings. It was one of my favorite ceremonies to have photographed.

After their ceremony, Kaela and Spencer opted to take a few more quick portraits with their bridal party and a few last couples portraits.

The Reception: String Lights, Log Cabins, and Dancing All Night

As the sun dropped behind the canyon walls, Log Haven’s rustic patio lit up with string lights strung between the rooflines. Kaela and Spencer sat and listened to the most beautiful toasts, cut the cake, and started the night with a first dance that turned into a whole night of dancing… groomsmen cheering, a baby passed around at the edge of the dance floor, and Kaela changing into a shimmering sequin gown to dance the night away.

Pro Tip: a second reception look like a sequin slip dress is a great way to dance comfortably after saying goodbye to your full wedding gown.

The Send-Off: Petals Under the Trees

As the night wound down, guests lined the path with baskets of flower petals, tossing them into the air as Kaela and Spencer walked through laughing, lit only by the string lights and the last blue light of dusk in the canyon sky.

Planning a Taylorsville Temple or Log Haven Wedding?

Kaela and Spencer’s day is proof that some of the best wedding photos come from real, unguarded joy. A bridal party that can’t stop cheering, a couple who can’t stop smiling at each other, and a venue that does half the magic on its own. If you’re getting married at the Taylorsville Temple, Log Haven, or anywhere in Utah, I’d love to help you capture it.

Carys Haslam Photography is currently booking 2026 and 2027 Utah and destination weddings. Reach out at caryshaslamphotography@gmail.com or follow along on Instagram @caryshaslamphotography for more real weddings like this one.