St. Mary Magdalene Chapel Wedding → Heritage Square Oxnard | Celeste & Franz
Celeste and Franz’s wedding blended timeless tradition with heartfelt, candid moments—first at St. Mary Magdalene Chapel in Camarillo, CA, then at a vibrant outdoor reception at Heritage Square in downtown Oxnard, surrounded by Victorian homes. I photographed 100 next-day sneak peeks for the blog (below), with Melissa second-shooting from the balcony for incredible ceremony perspectives and Nick filming (video not featured here). Photographed on September 27, 2025.
Looking for a Camarillo or Oxnard wedding photographer who delivers next-day sneak peeks? You’re in the right place.
Ceremony at St. Mary Magdalene Chapel (Camarillo)
Though Celeste and Franz describe themselves as shy, their love photographed effortlessly. Inside the chapel, we focused on quiet, genuine interactions—hand squeezes, soft smiles, and the kind of eye contact you can feel.
From the upstairs balcony, Melissa captured sweeping views of the vows and ring exchange; from the aisle and side chapels, I concentrated on layered compositions—candles, architecture, and expressions in the same frame.
Family Portraits on the Chapel Grounds
After the ceremony, we moved outside for efficient, flattering family portraits. I kept groupings organized and lighting even so everyone looked their best, then transitioned into a few relaxed photos with immediate family before sending guests to the reception.
Reception at Heritage Square (Oxnard)
Heritage Square’s courtyard feels like a “bowl” embraced by Victorian houses and stairways—photographer heaven. I used those elevated stair angles to craft wide storytelling frames of the dance floor, speeches, and toasts. This mix of aerial context + close candid emotion gives the gallery its energy.
Speeches & Reactions: Some of my favorite frames were during toasts—true, unprompted emotion from the couple and their families.
Water Tower Portraits: We slipped away for a few portraits in front of the water tower—romantic, modern, and a perfect contrast to the historic architecture.
Dance Floor & Details: With stairs all around, I could float between bird’s-eye scenes and ground-level moments to keep the coverage dynamic.
Florals by the Bride’s Sisters
Every floral element felt personal. Celeste’s sisters handmade the flower arrangements, and they were stunning—cohesive palettes, elegant shapes, and thoughtful placement throughout the venue. Those details tied the entire day together beautifully.
Local Favorites Featured
Churro Champ (Oxnard, CA) — a huge guest favorite and very photogenic treat moments.
DJ Electric (Oxnard, CA) — kept the dance floor packed and the energy high all night.
100 Next-Day Sneak Peeks
Enjoy a curated set of 100 next-day sneak peeks highlighting the ceremony, family portraits, creative portraits, reception candids, speeches, dance floor, and details. (Full gallery above.)
Vendor Team
Venue (Ceremony): St. Mary Magdalene Chapel — Camarillo, CA
Venue (Reception): Heritage Square — Oxnard, CA
Florals: Bride’s sisters (in-house)
Dessert: Churro Champ — Oxnard, CA
DJ: DJ Electric — Oxnard, CA
Photography: Amori Weddings (Andrew + Melissa)
Videography: Amori Weddings (video not featured in this post)
Thinking about your own wedding in Camarillo or Oxnard?
If you love candid, true-to-you images and fast delivery (100+ sneak peeks within 24 hours), I’d love to help you plan photography that fits your day.
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