Craig Conover and Austen Kroll Say ‘I Do’ to the Wedding Industry with The Waverly

Craig Conover and Austen Kroll are expanding their growing business empire. And this time, they’re entering the wedding world. The “Southern Charm” castmates and longtime friends are teaming up on an “all-in-one” wedding venue in Charleston, South Carolina, that promises to be more affordable than the city’s typical options, and they tell us exclusively why they are diving into their new business venture.

Craig Conover and Austen Kroll’s Affordable Wedding Destination in Charleston

During a recent chat with Interview magazine, Conover revealed that he and Kroll are working on a wedding venue designed to handle everything in one place. While he didn’t spill too many details, he described the space as “slightly more affordable” than other venues in the area. He even joked about possibly getting his officiant’s license.

“[Austen] and I are opening a wedding venue in Charleston, even though we can’t stop fighting with each other all the time,” Conover said. “It’s an all-in-one location, so you can do your ceremony, your reception, and your afterparty there.”

The ‘Southern Charm’ Besties Believe Charleston Needed The Waverly

In an exclusive statement to Entertainment Now, Conover and Kroll opened up about their decision to launch The Waverly, an all-in-one wedding venue aimed at making Charleston nuptials more accessible—without sacrificing style or Southern flair.

“This has been an exciting new venture for Austen and myself, having been in business together to open By The Way with Uptown Hospitality, and now with the opening of The Waverly,” Conover said. “We’re really proud of the space and what we think it will offer people who’ve always wanted to get married in Charleston but could never find a venue that was right for them. With this, they can really create whatever their vision is for their special day.”

Kroll echoed those sentiments, pointing to the city’s reputation as a wedding destination — and the very real limitations many couples face when trying to book a venue in Charleston.

“I’ve had the joy of attending many weddings in Charleston over the years, at nearly every venue in the city,” he shared. “It’s considered one of the most beloved wedding destinations in the country. I’ve also heard from so many couples near and far who dream of getting married here, but struggle to find an available venue. That really stuck with us. We wanted to create a space that reflects the timeless Southern charm of downtown Charleston, and offer couples a setting that feels as special as the city itself. That vision is what brought The Waverly to life.”

Inside Craig Convover and Austen Kroll‘s Ever-Growing Business Portfolio

This new venture is just the latest chapter in Conover and Kroll’s growing list of business collaborations. Conover founded his lifestyle brand, Sewing Down South, in 2018. Shortly after, Kroll launched his own beer company, Trop Hop Beers. 

Together, they’ve co-hosted the “Pillows and Beer” podcast, invested in the NYC restaurant Carriage House, and most recently, opened the Charleston bar By the Way.

In a 2024 interview with Life & Style, Conover admitted that going into business with a close friend comes with its challenges.

“We butt heads a lot,” he said. “We have to be careful because we’ve got our podcast and we also own Carriage House in NYC. It’s definitely put stress on our relationship — but it also pulls us through a lot of things.”

Craig Conover and Austen Kroll are both returning for “monster” season 11 of “Southern Charm,” although Bravo has not announced a premiere date.