‘Hidden Gem’ Bookstore Where Customers Get Married Stuns Internet

A “stunning” bookstore in Tampa, Florida, where couples have been tying the knot, has taken the internet by storm.
A viral TikTok video posted by Kishia Veigel (@myfloridaguide), a 51-year-old detective based in southwest Florida, shows a look inside the Oxford Exchange venue. Since it was shared on August 19, the clip has amassed over 609,000 views.
A note on the video says, “POV [point of view]: When you visit the most beautiful bookstore in Florida and it’s even better than you’d imagined.”
Veigel told Newsweek, “I visited the Oxford Exchange in August of 2024 while on a trip to Tampa for a weekend getaway. I was looking for cute places to relax and enjoy a good book and coffee.”
The footage shows the bookstore’s striking interiors, which feature exposed brick walls, paintings along a stairwell, black and white marble-style tile flooring, velvet chairs and leather Chesterfield sofas and a chic bar area.
Noting that the bookstore also serves as a wedding venue, the poster said, “I personally know several people who have been married here.”
“I do think this is a hidden gem in Tampa. Many from my audience had no idea about it even though they live in the area. I personally had never heard about it until a couple years ago when a friend told me they were getting married there, and I’m a Florida native,” Veigel said.
A survey of nearly 10,000 couples in the United States who were married in 2023, conducted by wedding planning website The Knot, found that couples reportedly hired an average of 14 wedding vendors.
The survey found that last year, traditional religious institutions continued to decline in popularity as the ceremony venue, while farms, barns and ranches were selected most often.
Banquet halls were the most popular venue for wedding receptions—chosen by 20 percent of couples—followed by farms, barns and ranches (18 percent) and historic buildings/homes (14 percent).
Born in Sarasota, Veigel works as a full-time police detective but spends her weekends exploring Florida and sharing her discoveries with her audience.
“When I retire from my police career next year, I plan to travel Florida full-time and share even more hidden gems and beautiful places with my audience. I feature hidden gems, weekend getaway itineraries, hotels and resorts, restaurants, seasonal events, and outdoor activities,” she told Newsweek.
Veigel noted that what makes this “big, beautiful space” so unique is “the addition of so many other things to see and do in the building.”
She said that adjacent to the bookstore is The CandlePour, a candle shop. Further back in the building, you’ll find the coffee shop, tea shop and restaurant, “which has an amazing brunch,” as well as the champagne bar, a high-end home goods store and a lounge area with leather couches.
In addition to its aesthetics, Veigel loves the variety of books on offer at the store.
“I love that you can read on a big leather couch while enjoying a tea or coffee and do some people-watching,” she said.
A staircase leads you to a second floor with additional seating and “spaces that seem to be for rent and are office spaces,” she noted.
TikTok users were blown away by the bookstore in the viral clip, with some sharing that they’ve hosted their weddings at the venue.
A commenter, Jessie, said, “I got married at the Oxford Exchange! 10/10 love it,” and another named Lem noted, “My wedding was here. such a magical evening.”
User @d4i137 wrote “Loved it!!! Loved the whole ambiance !!!” and melissaco11 said, “Ooohhh. ‘Sighs’. The attention to detail.”
Alis ( Piper) Van Doorn said “Omg! Now on my ‘places to immediately go’ list!”
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