Amanda + Austin's Merchants Hall Wedding in Downtown Charleston SC: Dark and Moody Wedding Video

April 13, 2022 Ruby Riot Creatives

He Asked Her To Roller Skate In Middle School...And The Rest Is History (Well, Almost)

Okay, I have been obsessed with Amanda and Austin since our first phone call. Amanda and I girl-crushed over each other, gushed over how freakin’ cool Austin and her origin story is (just wait, y’all, just wait), and we giggled about her favorite things about Austin.

“We spent the first five hours of our first date just talking… and we hadn’t talked in almost twenty years. He made me laugh. We’re both SUPER strange. For starters, we both enjoy a onesie (Yoda, batman, Donkey Kong for starters…).”

Maybe I love Amanda so much because she is living proof that a man can indeed be converted into a cat-lover (God bless you, sweet Avery), in addition to a dog-lover.

Amanda and Austin chose Merchants Hall for their wedding venue. It’s chic, oozing with Charleston’s southern idyllic brick walls, right off of Market Street in the heart of downtown Charleston’s historic district.

The backstory on these two?

These two first interacted in middle school when Austin asked Amanda to skate with her. She may or may not have declined (again, many have tried to get to the bottom of this, but we’ll never really know.)

Yes… MIDDLE SCHOOL CRUSH MATERIAL. That’s where their story started…

Amanda and Austin are Charleston locals. They chose Merchants Hall off iconic Market Street in historic downtown Charleston to celebrate (and it freakin’ rocked.)

Still Moments.

Amanda and Austin spoke straight to my heart — Amanda used words like “I’m obsessed with the dark and moody vibe…” she mentioned they’d be writing their vows, Austin being a musician, the two of them both being into strange and weird things. Nobody WARNED me on just how INCREDIBLE these vows were going to be. Like…Amanda and Austin, I’m still freakin’ shook.

So knowing these two are both highly intelligent, obviously highly creative beings, how playful they are, and the contagious energy these two emit that gives you permission to be yourself around them fully —

I knew I would get to pull some bangers from my metaphorical record bins in my brain. I mean— having a musician involved? Come on, meow.

I Went Hard On The Soundscore, Y’all.

Amanda got her own custom LUT build-out (think of it as a color filter) called “Queen Of The Darkness” — because she freakin’ is, okay?

The Tunes

I wanted to play with a nod to nostalgia; Amanda and Austin’s story is SUCH a sweet, REAL life story, so I played with several filters nodding to older film cameras and several songs that had a nod to a more retro-filtering. I kept the camera shake for a number of moments to convey that feeling of being right there with them and their friends in the moments.

For soundscoring I wanted to pull things that felt expansive and playful, and I also wanted to layer in tracks that would be open enough for Amanda and Austin’s vows to color the moment. So we go from Hozier for Amanda’s dark and moody vibe starting off her side of the day at the beautiful Silhouette On Site’s Bridal Suite @ The Faber House to the boys rockin’ it at Haberdasher enjoying themselves, right into a little hip-hop Old School Crush by Healy (only fitting) for their first look. “Uhh can we have like 30 minutes???” Austin, you slay me. This is the most appropriate response to seeing your gorgeous, hot AF bride for the first time. Well done, kind sir.

Meanwhile At Merchants Hall…

Charley Crockett takes us through this sweet wedding ceremony celebrating the beautiful family members and friends surrounding these two. Then it only made sense to have Kai Straw’s Everything’s Sweet for the first dances.

The Budos band kicks us off into the evening’s reception festivities, and then *BONUS* — I had- had- HAD to weave in some serious vows and sound scoring. I don’t typically weave this amount of vows into an edit, but I couldn’t NOT add in these amazing, amazing declarations these two shared.

My Favorite Part Of Their Wedding Film?

My favorite part of the their wedding video at Merchants Hall is those last 2-3 minutes, weaving in these candid slow-motion moments of Amanda and Austin being exactly that — Amanda and Austin.

Amanda is twirling herself around in that INCREDIBLE DRESS (I am still thoroughly obsessed… ugh, the beaded fringe…I just can’t.), and Austin is taking in this powerful vixen — this untamed twirling feminine-force-to-be-reckoned-with that he is 1000% here for. It’s just the two of them in this big expanse of wood flooring. ivy wrapped columns, gorgeous crystal chandeliers and historic Charleston brick.

I loved their moments before their last dance by the speaker… their candid goofiness. Then Amanda (in Amanda fashion) kicked all their friends out so she could go “full emo” and dance with Austin to a soundtrack of her angsty teenage years — “Inevitable” by Anberlin.

These two floated out of Merchants Hall with that iconic sparkler exit to their pedicab, Amanda rocking that glorious black leather jacket with her fur babies hand-painted on the sleeves and that rocking (literally, it was a depiction of crystals) “Til Death Do Us Part” painting on the back — a wearable piece of art by the incredible designer— Fabrics Tattoos. Again, I cannot handle the level of styley details these two dialed in for their day.

Callin’ It A Night…

With words like Austin and Amanda’s — it really called me up to do my best work in creating a wedding video that was REMOTELY near matching those sentiments, those promises, those celebrations of one another, and Amanda and Austin’s commitment to a way of being with and alongside one another. I am such a damn fan of y’all, and I am still in need of an autograph, y’all.

Why Merchant's Hall is the Holy Grail for Your Charleston Wedding

Merchant's Hall is a Charleston icon, and for good reason. With its exposed brick, dripping chandeliers, and old-world charm, it's the perfect backdrop for a wedding that's both timeless and trendy. It's where Southern hospitality meets urban chic, and where your love story unfolds in a setting that's as unique as you are.

Listen, we're not into boring banquet halls or stuffy ballrooms. We're all about spaces that tell a story, spaces that have character, spaces that make your wedding photos look like they belong in a magazine. And Merchant's Hall? It checks all those boxes and then some.

Historic Charm, Modern Amenities

Merchant's Hall isn't just another pretty space – it's a piece of Charleston history. The exposed brick, the soaring ceilings, the massive windows – they all tell a story of a bygone era. But don't be fooled by the vintage vibes. This place is fully equipped with modern amenities, like state-of-the-art lighting, a kickass sound system, and a spacious bridal suite that'll make you feel like a queen (or king) before you say "I do."

Location, Location, Location

Nestled in the heart of downtown Charleston, Merchant's Hall is just steps away from all the action. Your guests can easily explore the historic district, hit up the trendy bars and restaurants, or even take a romantic carriage ride through the cobblestone streets. Plus, there are plenty of nearby hotels for out-of-towners, making it a breeze for everyone to get to and from your big day.

Merchants Hall: A Blank Canvas for Your Dream Wedding

One of the best things about Merchant's Hall is its versatility. It's essentially a blank canvas, ready for you to transform it into your dream wedding venue. Whether you're going for a rustic-chic vibe, a modern-minimalist look, or a full-on glam extravaganza, Merchant's Hall can handle it. With its open floor plan and abundance of natural light, the possibilities are endless.

Your Guests Will Thank You

Let's be real, weddings can be a logistical nightmare. But with Merchant's Hall, everything is taken care of. There's ample parking for your guests, a convenient loading dock for vendors, and a team of experienced event professionals ready to help you with every detail. Plus, with its central location and easy access to all that Charleston has to offer, your guests will have a blast exploring the city before and after your wedding.

Your Wedding, Your Way

We get it. You're not cookie-cutter, so why should your wedding video be? We'll work with you to create a film that reflects your unique personalities and style. Whether you're into punk rock or poetry, craft beer or couture, we'll capture the essence of your love in a way that's authentic, artistic, and undeniably you.

More Than Just Pretty Pictures

Sure, we'll get the stunning shots of you walking down the aisle, the tearful vows, and the epic dance party. But we'll also capture the stolen glances, the inside jokes, and the quiet moments that make your wedding day truly unforgettable. We're storytellers, and we're here to tell yours.

Ready to Ditch the Clichés?

If you're looking for a wedding video that's as unique and unforgettable as your love story, look no further. We're here to break the mold, to challenge the status quo, and to create a film that'll make you laugh, cry, and hit replay over and over again.

Let's Make Some Magic at Merchant's Hall

Your wedding day is a masterpiece, and we're the artists who'll bring it to life. Contact us today to chat about your Merchant's Hall wedding. Trust us, it'll be the best decision you make, besides saying "I do," of course.

Which Wedding Video Package Was This?

This is our signature Head Over Heels collection, 8-Hour Base, with added IG mini clips and vows woven in!

Getting married soon? Know Amanda and Austin? Omg if you’re friends of theirs… we totally want to film your wedding. We travel anywhere. Let’s schedule a time to chat after you check out our media kit.

MEGA SHOUT OUT

And mega, MEGA shout out to the incredible vendor family who absolutely ROCKED it and knocked it out of the park for Amanda and Austin’s big day. I would proudly stamp my endorsement on any of this dream team of vendors— This day COULD NOT BE what it was without your brilliance and professionalism to bring this dream into reality — I celebrate you!

Charleston Wedding Vendor Dream Team FOR THIS MERCHANTS HALL WEDDING:

Wedding Planner + Design // Everything After The Ring (Ashleigh and her team freakin’ ROCKED it!!)

Getting Ready Venue - For The Girls // Silhouette On Site at the historic Faber Mansion on East Bay Street (We’ve shot here several times for several commercial projects — phenomenal lighting and space, highly recommend!)

Getting Ready Venue - For The Boys // Haberdash Charleston - Event Venue and Grooms Lounge - LOVE THIS SO HARD.

Bar // Duvall Catering (These guys had great energy!)

Cake // Cakes By Kait

Badass Hand-Painted Leather Jackets // Fabrics Tattoo

Videographer // Ruby Riot Creatives (Us, of course!)

DJ // Other Brother Entertainment (Our buddy Bryan Mahanes! He rocks it!!)

Florist // Everything After The Ring

Getaway Car // Charleston Rickshaw

Hair/Make-Up // Lashes and Lace

Officiant // Custom Vows By Casey (Casey did such a great job!!)

Rentals // EventWorks

Rentals // The French Eclectic