This was my first time photographing a wedding at Cardiff’s historic Coal Exchange. Victoria and Nick were married here on Saturday 14th September 2019. My day started with the bride as she prepared for the day in one of the luxury hotel rooms. The main hall has been decorated with cherry blossom trees for the marriage ceremony. Later in the day it would be transformed again to accommodate the wedding breakfast and evening dance floor. It was beautiful late summer’s day with blue skies. Guests enjoyed the suns warmth in the hotel’s courtyard. And in the evening the bride and groom took some tome out together to enjoy the breeze afforded by Cardiff Bay as they strolled along a jetty at the water’s edge. This iconic South Wales building was created in 1888. Within the Renaissance Revival style walls, housed a market trading floor and offices for trading coal. Such was the power and wealth of this era, the building was a global hub of coal trading and witnessed the first ever million pound deal in 1904. Though this level of success was relatively short lived, as the exchange closed it doors 1958 and Cardiff stopped exporting coal altogether a few years later. Despite a Grade II listing the building was allowed to fall in to disrepair, despite acting as a popular music venue for over a decade. This was eventually closed due to safety concerns of the building structure. However in 2016, refurbishment work began to restore the building. With the first phase complete, The Coal Exchange opened its doors to reveal a luxury hotel maintaining much of its original ornate charm. Any South Wales photography enthusiasts, may well recognise the groom and best man. As brothers they are the latest generation to run the family owned Camera Centre UK, with stores in both Cardiff and Newport. There are not many of these independently owned stores left in the UK, but thanks to their wealth of knowledge and friendly service they have a growing loyal customer base.
