Meredith Benton Photography

Justin Carney and Lindsey Horton have technology to thank for their paths crossing. The two met in a truly millennial fashion — through the dating app, Bumble. Justin asked Lindsey out through the app and they had their first date on July 31, 2017, at JJ’s Grill.

“We are very thankful for the app because I don’t think we would have met otherwise,” Lindsey says. “He grew up in DeWitt and went to Arkansas State University while I grew up in Little Rock and went to the University of Arkansas. I just don’t think we would have ever crossed paths.”

When it came time to propose, Justin decided to surprise Lindsey before they headed off on a lake weekend trip with friends in Hot Springs. When Lindsey got to her house, Justin was waiting for her inside. He handed her a hand-written note with words about her and their future together. Then, he got down on one knee and popped the question. (Lindsey’s dog Cash thought Justin was playing with him when he got down on one knee!)

“It was totally casual but really heartfelt which is just what I wanted,” she says. “We aren’t flashy people and I never wanted something public – we both wanted it to just be us. It was perfect timing since I just got my nails done plus we were going to celebrate with my friends all weekend. It was a great way to end the summer and begin wedding planning!”

Read on to find out more about Lindsey and Justin’s beautiful and timeless late spring wedding day complete with lots of greenery, thoughtful details and one awesome late-night snack idea.

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

On her gorgeous gown: “Designed by Lea-Ann Belter, my gown was made of Italian duchess silk satin with a plunging V-neckline and back nip into a retro-inspired waist structured to create an hourglass fit. The dress featured a customized detachable train of the same fabric that was secured by a large bow on the back of the gown. I was able to work with the designer myself and she even sent me a hand-sketch drawing of my gown – something I can cherish forever!”

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

On the ceremony and reception venues: “For the ceremony, I chose Pulaski Heights United Methodist because my paternal grandparents have gone there for many years. My grandfather is about to turn 90 and he still goes to church every Sunday. I thought I would also honor my grandmother, who is no longer with us, by having the ceremony in her favorite church. I really felt like she was there watching over us!

For the reception, we chose Chenal Country Club because I wanted a one-stop shop for all my venue needs. They have all the tables, chairs, table cloths, food, bar, plates, etc. that you’d ever need. Also, I have been to many receptions there and their food and service is outstanding. I can’t speak highly enough about their staff – they made sure I had everything I needed throughout the whole night. The club’s ballroom was the perfect size for our guest count and the golf course that it overlooks is one of my favorites!”

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

On her meaningful veil choice: “The veil I wore was my mother’s wedding veil that is white, cathedral length with lace appliques. It was special to me to have her veil since she was the one walking me down the aisle. I also wore blue suede shoes for my ‘something blue’ and all my jewelry worn that day were items Justin had given me.”

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

On the couple’s wedding style: “I didn’t really have a theme to my wedding. I just wanted everything to be classic and timeless with white flowers and lots of greenery. I’ve always loved looking at my parents and grandparents wedding photos and pulled some inspiration from the traditional old-school feel of black and white. I also found a lot of inspiration from Pinterest as far as bouquets and table arrangements go.”

Meredith Benton Photography

On Lindsey’s favorite part of her stationery: “My stationary included our wedding duogram (JL) in gold foil. The duogram was also in the envelope liner when you opened the wedding suite. I love the customary feel of the vintage duogram and I made sure it was displayed throughout the whole wedding process – it was basically our wedding ‘brand.’ You could find it on our save-the-dates, koozies, invites, cake and thank-you notes.”

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

On wedding blooms: “I carried a hand-tied bouquet of O'hara garden roses, playa blanca roses, white ranunculus, gardenia blush peonies, white peonies with mixed foliage including silver dollar eucalyptus and olive leaves. The stems were wrapped in ivory double-faced satin ribbon.”

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

On the lovely cake: “My cake was a three-tier all-white cake with our wedding duogram (JL) in gold on the middle tier. Tiers one and three were vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream icing and tier two was vanilla cake with strawberry filling and vanilla buttercream icing.

The groom’s cake was a two-tier chocolate chip cake with chocolate ganache filling and vanilla buttercream icing with mini chocolate chips. Justin’s cake was special because we had two fondant dog figurines on top to match our two fur children!”

Meredith Benton Photography

On their first dance song: “Justin wanted to choose our first dance song and he is a 90s country fan through and through. I was so happy that he wanted to choose that detail for that special moment. He chose ‘I Could Not Ask for More’ by Sara Evans because he felt like it was us. Every prayer was answered for us when we found each other and we give God all the glory.”

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

On her only pre-nuptial nightmare: “The only nightmare I had was one where Justin picked up his suit but didn’t look at it before our wedding day. Right before I was about to walk down the aisle, I noticed him at the front of the church in a yellow suit and I was so mad at him. Thankfully that was only a dream!”

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

On the feeling of being pronounced husband and wife: “It felt right. Justin and I take wedding vows very seriously and knew how much they meant to each other. Once that part was done and the kiss, I felt complete when he announced us officially as Mr. and Mrs. Justin Peter Carney. I felt like this was right where I was supposed to be in life.”

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

Meredith Benton Photography

One of Lindsey’s favorite details from the wedding day: “I loved when our late night snacks arrived because they were a hit. We had Taco Bell tacos and cinnamon twists and JJ’s Grill brought us cheese dip. JJ’s heard how we had our first date there and that we shared their cheese dip that night. They wanted to gift us with cheese dip for our wedding night and it was so thoughtful of them!”

Meredith Benton Photography

Lindsey’s feeling on her wedding day in three words: “Joyful, ecstatic, complete.”

Lindsey & Justin from Betwixt Magnolias on Vimeo.

The Details

Photography: Meredith Benton Photography

Videography: Betwixt Magnolias, Searcy 

Photo booth: Little Photo Booth

Planning: Meredith Corning with Meredith Events

Florist: Cabbage Rose, Little Rock

Cake and groom's cake: Sweet Lavender Bake Shoppe, Little Rock 

Caterer and drink service: Chenal Country Club, Little Rock

Band and lighting: Diamond Empire Band

Invitations: Simply Paper Co.

Save-the-dates: Designed by bride via Vistaprint

Thank-you notes: Designed by bride through a local printer

Programs: Designed by Pulaski Heights United Methodist, Little Rock

Wedding dress: Bridal Boutique, Lewisville, Texas

Bridesmaid dresses: Beside the Bride, Lewisville, Texas

Groom/groomsmen attire: Men’s Wearhouse

Jeweler: Diamonds Direct, Dallas

Hair and makeup: Lindsey Powers Huey

Party bus for the wedding party: Pinnacle Party Bus & Charter, Little Rock

Honeymoon travel agency: Ann McFarran at Poe Travel Agency, Little Rock

Rehearsal dinner venue: Cotham’s in the City, Little Rock

Late-night snacks: Taco Bell and JJ’s Grill, Little Rock