AWARD-WINNING NYC OFFICIANT FOR 15 YEARS

Award-Winning Wedding Officiant in NYC

Rev. Dr. Samora Award Winning NY Officiant

Simple Marriage License Signings, Elopement Ceremonies, Luxury Weddings, Destination Weddings, Bi-Lingual Ceremonies, Interfaith Weddings, Vow Renewals, Custom Baby Naming Ceremony

Common Ground Ceremonies was founded in 2010 by Rev. Dr. Samora ("The Lovesmith") a highly acclaimed NYC wedding officiant & trainer, interfaith minister, expert relationship coach, speaker, author, and the Assoc. Director of The New Seminary for Interfaith Studies and Director of The Interfaith Temple where she fosters a culture of inclusivity and connection. Born and raised in New York City, Dr. Samora comes from a multicultural and multi-faith family (Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, & Buddhist) where she learned to value one's path and honor others regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds. After becoming ordained as an interfaith minister, she created Common Ground Ceremonies to offer services to all people, no matter their faith (or non-faith), beliefs, sexual orientations, or backgrounds. Her vision is to bring unity and harmony to our world by celebrating common ground and connecting hearts through sacred ceremonies. Dr. Samora and her team are always committed to providing services that make your celebration as special and heartfelt as possible. With a personalized and inclusive approach, we specialize in creating unique wedding ceremonies, elopements, vow renewals, baby blessings, and milestone celebrations, reflecting your beliefs and preferences. Based in New York City, we also travel to serve the Tri-State area and beyond.

We Specialize in Weddings and More

Your love knows no boundaries, and your ceremony should reflect that. Rev. Dr. Samora and her team are masters in creating personalized ceremonies including non-denominational, interfaith weddings, bi-lingual and Spanish weddings, and indigenous ceremonies that honor your culture, beliefs, and values. Common Ground Ceremonies is an LGBTQ+-friendly business that is committed to supporting everyone's right to love (and marry) whom they want to love. As a BIPOC-owned company, Rev. Dr. Samora curated a team that includes a Spanish-speaking officiant and a Native American (Lakota) ceremonialist who performs authentic native blessings and performances for all occasions. In addition to wedding ceremonies, we offer vow renewals, alternative baptisms and baby namings, Celebration of Life services, Indigenous land acknowledgments, new home blessings, and other milestone celebrations. Most importantly, we take the time to understand your needs, working closely with you to create a ceremony that speaks directly to your hearts. Your guests will be captivated by the heartfelt moments and meaningful highlights that make your special day a truly unforgettable experience.

Prepare For a Lifetime of Love

Marriage is the most precious relationship and to ensure your success right from the start, Dr. Samora provides private Pre-Marital Coaching sessions. And for couples who prefer to do it as an online course, click here to learn more about her online program called "The Marriage Success Blueprint™" to support you in building a strong foundation for your marriage in the comfort of your own home, and at your convenience,

Thinking about Eloping in NYC? Let us Guide you!

Imagine getting married or renewing your vows surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Manhattan's Central Park, with its romantic settings featured in so many timeless movies and picturesque views. Or perhaps in the now-popular Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo, located in between the iconic Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges with the stunning Manhattan skyline in the background. (See our recommendations) And let's not forget the holiday magic of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree during the best time of the year in NYC. At Common Ground Ceremonies, we offer elopement packages designed to make your celebration seamless and unforgettable. Let us guide you to the perfect location with expert services like photography, videography, florists, musicians, day-of coordination, and more to ensure your wedding is a momentous occasion to cherish forever.

"Marry Us Now" Services

For those who wish to avoid dealing with the Courthouse and are looking for a simple marriage license signing, we offer a "Marry Us Now" Special. For a small fee of $250 (witness is additional), we will meet you at a mutually convenient location to sign and complete the necessary paperwork saving you another trip to the often-chaotic city clerk's office. Let us take care of the legal part, so you can save time and focus on the joy and excitement of your special day.

From Local to Global, We Travel for Love

Brooklyn Officiant, Westchester Officiant, New Jersey Officiant, Long Island Officiant, Connecticut Officiant, Lehigh Valley Officiant, Philadelphia Officiant

New York City is a fabulous destination for your wedding celebration, and we perform weddings in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island. We are also available to provide our services outside of New York. We provide officiant services throughout New Jersey, Westchester, Long Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding areas, and we travel to your preferred destination, be it out of state or abroad. We will travel to wherever love leads you.

Your Unforgettable Wedding Awaits

At Common Ground Ceremonies, we are passionate about creating extraordinary celebrations that are as unique as the communities we serve. Let us be a part of your special day and craft a unique ceremony that surpasses your expectations. Contact us today to begin your unforgettable journey toward a meaningful and personalized celebration.

Ashley & Aaron - Dumbo Loft

"Dr. Reverend Samora was amazing! She was very warm and kind and we loved that about her from the very first conversation we had with her. After that first conversation, we knew she was the officiant we wanted to have for our wedding. She helped us figure out the vibe we wanted for our ceremony and absolutely delivered!

48:42

Multicultural & Interfaith Weddings - AMM's New Virtual Course Launch! | Officiants Online

Join us for a special edition of Officiants Online as Rev. Dr. Samora shares her expertise as a wedding officiant, interfaith minister, and relationship coach who specializes in creating weddings for interfaith and intercultural couples. She will give a brief presentation followed by a short look into her new AMM course, and will answer questions from the audience! --- Learn more and purchase the AMM Interfaith & Multicultural Weddings Course here: https://courses.theamm.org/amms-interfaith-multicultural-wedding-course/ A recording from our February 25th Officiants Online event. Subscribe to the AMM newsletter to hear about upcoming classes and other fun events: https://theamm.us17.list-manage.com/s... --- Key moments in this video: Intro: 00:07 Dr. Samora's Introduction: 03:49 Presentation: 06:37 Q&A Begins: 23:34 Q1: 23:38 | When performing a ritual or ceremony that might be new to you as an officiant, do you recommend an additional rehearsal to work through any movements or props? Q2: 25:25 | Are there any particular changes in trends you've noticed in intercultural and interfaith weddings since you began in 2010? Q3: 27:43 | When other people are helping during the ceremony such as other faith leaders, do you meet with them prior to the wedding? Q4: 32:23 | How did you become a Reverend Doctor and how long did it take? Q5: 37:16 | How do the majority of your couple's find you? Closing Remarks: 47:29 --- About the Speaker: Rev. Dr. Samora Smith is a highly recognized and in-demand minister, coach, chaplain, author, speaker, and healer. As the Associate Director for The New Seminary for Interfaith Studies, she plays a pivotal role in promoting interfaith understanding and cooperation, and training of ministers. In addition to this, she serves as the Minister of Music for the Interfaith Temple, using her wide range of musical talents to inspire and uplift the community. Dr. Samora is also recognized as the Director of the Spiritual Coaching program at TNS, where she guides and mentors students on their spiritual journeys as coaches and leaders. As a Certified Hypnotherapist & NLP practitioner, Dr. Samora utilizes these techniques to facilitate personal growth and positive change in the lives of her students and clients. Her expertise also extends to the field of sound and vibrational therapies, as she holds the title of Master Sound & Vibrational Healing Specialist. Through her knowledge and skills in this area, she provides therapeutic and transformative experiences to those seeking healing. Driven by a deep sense of justice and compassion, Dr. Samora is a Certified Human Rights Advocate. She actively supports struggling communities and contributes to the advancement of indigenous healing organizations and cultural exchange as a board member and active performer. Additionally, she is a staunch advocate for LGBTQ rights, promoting equality and inclusivity in all aspects of society.

03:36

Marriage Success Blueprint Program

Marriage Success Blueprint Program - an online DIY pre-marital coaching program to help engaged and newlywed couples build a successful foundation for their partnership. It is perfect for non-denominational couples or interfaith couples. Please visit https://lovesmith-academy.newzenler.com/courses/marriage-success-blueprint for more info. www.commongroundceremonies.com

45:57

Celebrating Love Beyond Boundaries - Navigating Diversity as an Officiant | Officiant Accelerator

Watch Rev. Dr. Samora Smith's Full-Length Presentation from our Officiant Accelerator NYC Stop! AMM in partnership with IAPWO is taking its one-of-a-kind wedding officiant training seminar on the road with Officiant Accelerator: https://www.officiantaccelerator.com/ Officiant Accelerator is your gateway to professional and personal success as a wedding officiant. Learn how to deliver powerful ceremonies, build a successful practice in your community, and join a network of passionate wedding professionals with this one-day event happening in a city near you! --- Dr. Samora Smith, DMin : BIPOC Interfaith Wedding Officiant, Pre-Marital Counselor Rev. Samora is a highly-acclaimed and award-winning wedding officiant, interfaith minister, and pre-marital counselor based in New York City. She’s been officiating ceremonies for over 13 years and has performed over 2,500 ceremonies. Rev. Samora comes from a multi-faith and multi-racial household, which naturally gives her the compassion and sensitivity needed when working with couples of ALL backgrounds and beliefs. Her approach is always couple-centered, love-filled, and inclusive. In addition to officiating weddings, Rev. Samora is the Associate Director of The New Seminary of Interfaith Studies, a Sound & Vibrational Healing Specialist, a professional Counselor and board certified Hypnotherapist.

00:27

Rev. Dr. Samora Smith at AMM's Officiant Accelerator: NYC

A short clip of wedding officiant Rev. Dr. Samora performing a Native American influenced wedding song at AMM's Officiant Accelerator: NYC seminar in September. Dr. Samora will be also be presenting at Officiant Accelerator: Jacksonville on Nov. 29th, 2023. Learn more about the Officiant Accelerator training seminar series for wedding officiants here: https://www.officiantaccelerator.com/ Dr. Samora is a highly-acclaimed and award-winning wedding officiant, interfaith minister, and pre-marital counselor based in New York City. She is the owner of Common Ground Ceremonies and The Lovesmith, and has been officiating for over 13 years, with over 2,500 ceremonies performed. Rev. Samora comes from a multi-faith and multi-racial household, which naturally gives her the compassion and sensitivity needed when working with couples of ALL backgrounds and beliefs. Her approach is always couple-centered, love-filled, and inclusive. In addition to officiating weddings, Rev. Samora is the Associate Director of The New Seminary for Interfaith Studies, a Sound & Vibrational Healing Specialist, and a professional Counselor and board certified Hypnotherapist.

11:37

Keeping The Romance Alive with Dr. Jeff Gardere (America's Psychologist) & Rev. Dr. Samora Smith

Rev. Dr. Samora Smith (The Lovesmith) and Dr. Jeff Gardere (America's Psychologist) discuss their online event covering ways to keep the love going during lockdown. #vqlentinesday #relationshipadvice #keepingtheromancealive #loveduringlockdown #loveexperts #drjeffgardere #lovesmithinc #thelovesmith #americaspsychologist #drjeff

01:57

Romantic NYC Rooftop Wedding

Dare to Dream NYC and Rev. Dr. Samora offer Elopement and Wedding Packages in New York City. Expert Photo/Video Services and Officiant Services in New York

01:36

Romantic Elopement at Dene's Summerhouse in Central Park

Dare to Dream NYC and Rev. Dr. Samora offer an Elopement and Destination Wedding Package in New York City. Expert Video & Photographer. Officiant Services.

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Instructions on how to obtain your Marriage License and Park Permit in NYC

LICENSE INSTRUCTIONS

A New York State marriage license is valid for 60 days (except for active military personnel for whom the validity runs for 180 days) and can only be used in the State of New York. All couples must wait a full 24 hours from the time the marriage license is issued before a marriage ceremony can be performed unless a judicial waiver is obtained.

To book an online appointment and begin the application process online go to the following link (valid for 21 days)

You must be able to show valid proof of I.D. (i.e., driver’s license, passport, etc.) and proof of divorce (if applicable). The fee for a Marriage License is $35 by credit card or money order payable to the City Clerk. Your marriage is not official until the license is signed after the ceremony. After it is signed, the license must be filed with the office to receive the legal certificate. The signed license may be mailed (can take up to 4-6 weeks) or submitted in person.

For International couples, you must file the license in person in order to obtain the extended license and Apostille (if required)

PARK PERMIT INSTRUCTIONS

Central Park and many of the city parks require a permit to hold special events. A permit is only required for a group of 20 people or more, however, a permit is still recommended to reserve a specific location. It takes approximately 30 days to receive the permit, so plan in advance. The permit can be obtained at the following link

The fee for the Permit is $25. If you prefer Common Ground Ceremonies to obtain the permit for you, there is an additional administrative fee of $25 applied.