{"id":13436,"date":"2025-08-14T08:19:46","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T12:19:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/?p=13436"},"modified":"2025-08-14T08:19:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T12:19:48","slug":"qa-craig-conover-and-austen-kroll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/pop-culture\/qa-craig-conover-and-austen-kroll\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&amp;A: Craig Conover and Austen Kroll on The Waverly, Charleston Weddings, and Working Together"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Bravo fans, get ready\u2014your favorite <em>Southern Charm<\/em> duo is officially in their wedding era. When Craig Conover and Austen Kroll\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/pop-culture\/craig-conover-opens-charleston-wedding-venue\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">announced<\/a>\u00a0they were opening a wedding and event venue in Charleston, South Carolina, the news instantly caught our attention. Their new space,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewaverlychs.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Waverly<\/a>, officially opened its doors in May 2025, offering a fresh blend of modern elegance and Southern charm (wink, wink) right in the heart of downtown. Now, we\u2019re getting the inside scoop straight from Craig and Austen on how the venue came to life, what makes it unique, and how the city\u2019s rich wedding culture shaped their vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Craig-Austen-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Craig-Austen-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Craig-Austen-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Craig-Austen-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Craig-Austen-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 2560px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo courtesy of The Waverly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q: Charleston is packed with wedding venues\u2014what makes The Waverly stand out from the crowd?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Craig:&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cCharleston has been a top wedding destination for years now, and is home to some really awesome venues. With The Waverly, we wanted to create something that was accessible yet elevated, and that supplies brides and grooms with everything they could need on their special day. They can have all of their wedding day events right on the premise, from their cocktail hour to ceremony to reception. We have on-site parking and a 2 a.m. curfew (a rarity for venues downtown!), plus a Bridal and Groom\u2019s Suite, full catering kitchen, and a nice indoor\/outdoor flow. Since we\u2019re in partnership with Uptown Hospitality Group, you can even have the remainder of your wedding weekend just within the portfolio\u2014maybe it\u2019s a bachelorette party at Uptown Social, a post-wedding brunch at Bodega, or a post-wedding night out at our restaurant, By The Way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q: Charleston has such a rich wedding culture. How did that history influence how you envisioned The Waverly\u2019s role in the city\u2019s venue scene?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Austen:&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cI hate to sound cheesy, but it really does blend classic \u2018Southern charm\u2019 with modern elegance. You\u2019ll notice that throughout the space. We really were intentional with the design and wanted it to feel elegant but approachable, a space that can be transformed to suit a variety of styles and tastes. There\u2019s a lot of flexibility with this venue so couples can get creative with their own visions for their special day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Entrance_Credit-Ryan-Serio-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Entrance_Credit-Ryan-Serio-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Entrance_Credit-Ryan-Serio-1280x960.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Entrance_Credit-Ryan-Serio-980x735.jpg 980w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Entrance_Credit-Ryan-Serio-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 2560px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ryan Serio | Photo courtesy of The Waverly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q: The Waverly has such a distinct vibe. What kind of energy or experience did you want couples and guests to feel the moment they walk in?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Craig:&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cIt\u2019s that mix of laid-back Southern charm with refined details. We wanted guests to feel like they\u2019ve stepped into a space that\u2019s thoughtfully curated, but still personal, like a celebration that\u2019s both timeless and totally unique to them. At the end of the day, this space is about creating memories in a place that feels special to every person who steps through the doors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q: What kind of couple do you see falling in love with this venue? Who\u2019s your Waverly client, in your minds?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Austen:&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cIn my opinion, The Waverly couple values experience but are also stylish and fun! I also think these aren\u2019t just couples that are local but also from all around. I can\u2019t tell you how many I\u2019ve talked to through my travels that have expressed wanting to get married in Charleston. There\u2019s certainly a need for this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q: What was the hardest part about opening a venue in the middle of downtown Charleston? What surprised you most?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Craig:&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cWe\u2019re lucky to live in such a historic city, but that can also bring its own challenges. There are a lot of regulations and logistical hurdles when you\u2019re trying to bring something new to a place with so much history and character. We wanted to honor that charm while still creating a modern, versatile space. What surprised me most was how supportive the wedding and events community has been since we opened our doors. This community has such a strong sense of pride, and seeing everybody get genuinely excited about The Waverly and what it brings to the area has been really rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1828\" src=\"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Long-Table-Seating_Credit-Margaret-Elizabeth-Photography-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Long-Table-Seating_Credit-Margaret-Elizabeth-Photography-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Long-Table-Seating_Credit-Margaret-Elizabeth-Photography-1280x914.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Long-Table-Seating_Credit-Margaret-Elizabeth-Photography-980x700.jpg 980w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Long-Table-Seating_Credit-Margaret-Elizabeth-Photography-480x343.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 2560px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Margaret Elizabeth Photography | Photo courtesy of The Waverly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q: Outside of weddings, what kind of energy or community do you hope The Waverly brings to the Charleston scene\u2014drag brunch? Dog birthday? Craig Conover pillow pop-up?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Austen:&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cWe\u2019ve already hosted a wide range of events since we opened, anywhere from fitness classes to corporate group events. That\u2019s what\u2019s so nice about the space &#8211; it\u2019s really versatile. As for the few you mentioned, the door is certainly open!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q: How did your partnership with The Waverly come about?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Craig:&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cIt was a natural extension of our partnership with Uptown Hospitality Group, who we worked with to open By The Way last year. Having been to so many weddings in the city ourselves, and having spoken to couples who have always dreamed of getting married here, it sparked the idea to create something that could be a fit for everyone. It\u2019s been an exciting process and it finally feels like the work is paying off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Grooms-Suite_Credit-Lawson-Builder-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Grooms-Suite_Credit-Lawson-Builder-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Grooms-Suite_Credit-Lawson-Builder-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Grooms-Suite_Credit-Lawson-Builder-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Grooms-Suite_Credit-Lawson-Builder-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 2560px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lawson Builder | Photo courtesy of The Waverly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q: What drew you both to the wedding industry\u2014and why now?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Austen:&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cThe Waverly was really a step in a bigger vision we\u2019ve had for a while, which is creating spaces in Charleston that bring people together in fun, meaningful ways, which started with opening By The Way. Our partnership with UHG was a huge part of that. They completely understood our passion for creating not just beautiful venues, but full experiences. Timing-wise, it just felt right. We\u2019re both at a place in life where we\u2019ve seen what goes into planning a great event, and we wanted to create a space that made that process easier, more stylish, and more fun. The Waverly gave us the opportunity to take everything we love and bring it into a space where you might be celebrating one of the biggest moments of your life. We don\u2019t take that lightly, and we\u2019re proud to be part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Q: You\u2019ve both made careers out of creative pivots. How does The Waverly reflect your personal or professional growth?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Craig:&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cWe\u2019ve definitely taken some unexpected paths in our careers, from reality TV to our own solo ventures, and I think each pivot taught us something new about building things from the ground up. The Waverly is a great reflection of that growth. It\u2019s not just about creating a beautiful space; it\u2019s about building something lasting, something that brings people joy and feels personal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Lounge-Seating_Credit-McSweenPhotography-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Lounge-Seating_Credit-McSweenPhotography-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Lounge-Seating_Credit-McSweenPhotography-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Lounge-Seating_Credit-McSweenPhotography-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Waverly_Lounge-Seating_Credit-McSweenPhotography-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 2560px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">McSween Photography | Photo courtesy of The Waverly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With its all-in-one design, central location, and undeniable personality, The Waverly is already making waves in Charleston\u2019s vibrant wedding scene. Craig Conover and Austen Kroll have created a space designed for unforgettable celebrations, where couples can host every moment of their big day in one stylish setting. Whether you\u2019re planning your own \u201cI do\u201d in the Holy City or just love seeing Bravolebs branch out beyond the screen, this new chapter for the\u00a0<em>Southern Charm<\/em>\u00a0duo proves they\u2019re just getting started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for more pop culture fun? Check out&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pearl.davidsbridal.com\/inspiration\/\">Pearl by David\u2019s<\/a>&nbsp;for all the latest trends, advice, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bravo fans, get ready\u2014your favorite Southern Charm duo is officially in their wedding era. When Craig Conover and Austen Kroll\u00a0announced\u00a0they were opening a wedding and event venue in Charleston, South Carolina, the news instantly caught our attention. Their new space,\u00a0The Waverly, officially opened its doors in May 2025, offering a fresh blend of modern elegance [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":13437,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2350,1509],"tags":[3246,3245,3243,3239,3344,3247,2196,2195,3244,3242,3345,3346],"dipi_cpt_category":[],"fb_article_type":[],"class_list":["post-13436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pop-culture","category-trending","tag-affordable-wedding-venues-charleston","tag-austen-kroll","tag-charleston-wedding-venue","tag-craig-conover","tag-craig-conover-and-austen-kroll","tag-downtown-charleston-weddings","tag-south-carolina-wedding","tag-south-carolina-wedding-venues","tag-southern-charm","tag-the-waverly-charleston","tag-the-waverly-south-carolina","tag-the-waverly-wedding-venue"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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