A method of welding at least two workpieces together by metallurgically joining faying surfaces (32,34) of the workpieces (36,38), the method comprising: placing the workpieces together (36,38) so that the faying surfaces (32,34) thereof face each other and a joint region is defined therebetween; projecting a first laser beam onto the joint region to produce a first laser beam projection on adjacent surfaces of the workpieces (36,38) and cause the first laser beam projection to travel along the joint region and penetrate the joint region; directing an electric arc onto the adjacent surfaces of the workpieces (32,34) to produce an arc projection that encompasses the first laser beam projection and travels therewith along the joint region, the first laser beam projection and the arc projection forming a molten weld pool capable of solidifying to form a weld joint in the joint region, wherein the first laser beam projection and a center of the arc projection are projected onto a line; projecting a pair of lateral laser beams (44,46) to produce lateral laser beam projections (54,56) that are encompassed by the arc projection and travel therewith along the joint region behind the first laser beam projection, the lateral laser beam projections (54,56) interacting with and affecting portions of the molten weld pool that define lateral edges of the molten weld pool, and wherein the pair of lateral laser beams (44,46) are perpendicularly offset from the line by respective distances d 1 and d 2; and then cooling the molten weld pool to form the weld joint in the joint region and metallurgically join the workpieces (36,38) to yield a welded assembly, in order for the weld joint to have uniform lateral weld bead edges and weld bead toes that define the lateral edges. placing the workpieces together (36,38) so that the faying surfaces (32,34) thereof face each other and a joint region is defined therebetween; projecting a first laser beam onto the joint region to produce a first laser beam projection on adjacent surfaces of the workpieces (36,38) and cause the first laser beam projection to travel along the joint region and penetrate the joint region; directing an electric arc onto the adjacent surfaces of the workpieces (32,34) to produce an arc projection that encompasses the first laser beam projection and travels therewith along the joint region, the first laser beam projection and the arc projection forming a molten weld pool capable of solidifying to form a weld joint in the joint region, wherein the first laser beam projection and a center of the arc projection are projected onto a line; projecting a pair of lateral laser beams (44,46) to produce lateral laser beam projections (54,56) that are encompassed by the arc projection and travel therewith along the joint region behind the first laser beam projection, the lateral laser beam projections (54,56) interacting with and affecting portions of the molten weld pool that define lateral edges of the molten weld pool, and wherein the pair of lateral laser beams (44,46) are perpendicularly offset from the line by respective distances d 1 and d 2; and then cooling the molten weld pool to form the weld joint in the joint region and metallurgically join the workpieces (36,38) to yield a welded assembly, in order for the weld joint to have uniform lateral weld bead edges and weld bead toes that define the lateral edges.