AWARD-WINNING NYC OFFICIANT FOR 17 YEARS
Acclaimed Wedding Officiant in New York
Simple Marriage License Signings, Elopement Ceremonies, Luxury Weddings, Destination Weddings, Bilingual Ceremonies, Interfaith Weddings, Vow Renewals, Custom Baby Naming Ceremonies
Common Ground Ceremonies was founded in 2010 by Rev. Dr. Samora ("The Lovesmith") a highly-acclaimed NYC wedding officiant, interfaith minister, expert relationship coach, speaker, author, and Associate Director of The New Seminary for Interfaith Studies and Head of The Interfaith Temple, where she fosters a culture of inclusivity and community. 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 embrace her unique background and honor others, regardless of their beliefs. After becoming ordained as an interfaith minister in 2008, she was inspired to create Common Ground Ceremonies, to provide ceremonies to couples and families, no matter their faith (or non-faith), beliefs, sexual orientations, or backgrounds, reflecting her own vision to bring unity and harmony by celebrating our differences. Dr. Samora is committed to providing a service that is heartfelt and a ceremony that reflects what makes you unique and special. Her personalized and inclusive approach, supports in creating unique wedding ceremonies, elopements, vow renewals, baby blessings, and milestone celebrations, always reflecting your beliefs and preferences. Common Ground Ceremonies is based in New York City, but we also serve the Tri-State area and can travel globally.
Multicultural, Interfaith Weddings, and More
Your love knows no boundaries, and your ceremony should reflect that. Rev. Dr. Samora and her associates are masters in creating personalized ceremonies, including non-denominational, interfaith weddings, bilingual and Spanish weddings 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. In addition to wedding ceremonies, we offer vow renewals, alternative baptisms and baby namings, Celebration of Life services, 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 1:1 Pre-Marital Coaching sessions. For couples who prefer to do it as an online course, Dr. Samora created a program, 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 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" and Courthouse Witness Services
If you are looking for a simple marriage license signing or courthouse-style wedding, 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 an additional trip to the 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.
"Can I Get a Witness?" Service
If you are traveling to New York from abroad or out of town and need a professional witness for your courthouse or elopement ceremony, we offer this service for $250. The fee includes travel and walking you through the process at the city clerk's office. We will even take a few pics for you.
From Local to Global, We Travel for Love
Brooklyn Officiant, Westchester Officiant, New Jersey Officiant, Long Island Officiant, Connecticut Officiant
New York City is a fabulous destination for your wedding celebration, and we perform weddings in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the 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.
PREFERRED VENDOR AT
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.
