Author: RevSamora

Protect Your Love During Uncertain Times

Keep Your Romance Alive During Uncertain Times

Love Experts
THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2022

Tickets are available through Eventbrite,
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Dr. Jeff and Dr. Samora recently teamed up when Dr. Jeff was asked to officiate his very first wedding for a friend in Texas. Rev. Dr. Samora came highly recommended since she has officiated more than 2,000 ceremonies in her career. Because many relationships and marriages have been tested during this time, Dr. Jeff and Dr. Samora decided to put together this special workshop to support singles, partners, and married couples in keeping the love and passion at the center of their lives despite the curveballs and uncertainties that have become so commonplace in our lives.

Ticket sales support the work of The Interfaith Temple.
Please purchase the ticket level that resonates with your heart!

$11/$22/$33 suggested ticket price.

This promises to be a popular event! Invite your friends and reserve your tickets today!

Tickets are available through Eventbrite,
Click HERE to reserve your seat!

Known as “America’s Psychologist”, Dr. Jeff is one of the most widely sought-after experts in the mental health field. Dr. Jeff is also an ordained minister with a Doctorate in Divinity from The New Seminary. He’s a frequent contributor to the FOX network, the Today Show, MSNBC, and CNN and has appeared on Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta and is the aftercare coordinator and psychologist for Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court.

Rev. Dr. Samora Smith, “The Lovesmith” is an award-winning wedding officiant and relationship expert in NYC. Dr. Samora opened her business Common Ground Ceremonies in 2011 and has since officiated over 2,000 ceremonies for people of all beliefs and backgrounds. Dr. Samora is also a Board-Certified Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner, and Reiki Master who combines her skills to not only assist couples in planning their wedding but also in preparing for their marriage.

Tickets are available through Eventbrite,
Click HERE to reserve your seat!

Winter Weddings & Elopements in NYC

The Pink Moon & Common Ground Ceremonies

Present

Winter Wedding Wednesdays

Dreams really do come true!  This winter we have created one of the most irresistible indoor wedding  and elopement packages for you to begin this new chapter the right way.  This truly is the perfect setting and ambience for you and your guests to celebrate the most important day of your lives.

Luxurious Winter Wedding Venue

The Pink Moon is an Upscale Event Space and Boutique located in the vibrant and artsy neighborhood of Gowanus, Bklyn. It is owned by the brilliant & uber-talented, Rebecca Sheperd Floral Design.  From the moment you enter, you are transported to another world just by the energy and beauty of the space.

Your Winter Wedding Package Includes ($1299):

 An Hour in a Beautiful Upscale Event Space with up to 10 Guests

An Award-Winning Wedding Officiant

An hour with a High-End Photographer

Customized Music Playlist for Your Ceremony

Champagne Toast for you and your guests

Additional Add-Ons Include Videography, Live Musician, Wedding Bouquet/Boutonniere, Hair/Makeup Services

For Bookings and Additional Info, click here.

 

 

 

A castle, a micro wedding, and a T-Rex

A T-Rex at a Wedding?

As a wedding officiant in New York, I have performed more than 1,500 weddings and Vow Renewals and this was a first.  It turns out my couple met online and part of what brought them together was their mutual passion for Jurrasic Park.  After having to postpone their nuptials numerous times due to Covid-19, they finally planned their micro-wedding in Westchester at Whitby Castle.

Looking for a Venue for your Micro-Wedding in New York?

Wedding Venue in New York
Castle Wedding in New York

Only 30 minutes from NYC, Whitby Castle in Rye, NY is the perfect venue for your fairytale wedding.  These days when you are planning your wedding it is so important to consider the safety of your guests.  Many venues are adapting to these new safety standards and are now offering small, intimate weddings for you to celebrate your big day.

New York Venues Offering Small Weddings

Central Park is the perfect option year-round for your intimate wedding.  If you’re looking for a venue where your guests can attend your ceremony and have a socially-distanced reception, the following New York venues are offering packages for your big day:

  1. Water Club (Manhattan)
  2. 620 Loft & Garden (Manhattan)
  3. Wythe Hotel (Brooklyn)
  4. My Moon Restaurant (Brooklyn)
  5. Midtown Loft & Terrace (Manhattan)

For Officiant and Pre-Marital Counseling services, contact Rev. Dr. Samora Smith for a consultation to discuss your needs.  Dr. Samora is an award-winning wedding officiant in New York and offers ceremonies for multi-faith, non-denominational, LGBTQ weddings and Vow Renewals.  

Email:  rev.samora@gmail.com

Phone: (646) 736-2510

We Are Featured in The Knot!

Check out this new article on The Knot!

Are you planning your Micro Wedding and looking for meaningful ways to write your wedding ceremony? This article is for you.

As a top-rated wedding officiant in New York, I was recently contacted by one of the editors for The Knot to assist engaged couples who are planning their intimate, non-denominational, or hybrid-spiritual ceremony.  These times call for creativity and heartfelt celebrations to celebrate our nearest and dearest. This article answers your questions on how to put together a personal ceremony while still honoring tradition.

Need help with writing your personal vow?

As I mentioned in the article, one of the best ways to personalize your wedding ceremony is to write personal vows to each other.  I recently wrote and published a book with 300 plus original phrases for you to use as inspiration for creating your own wedding vow.  Many engaged brides and grooms refrain from writing vows due to a lack of confidence in their writing skills.  Sometimes with a little encouragement and inspiration, you will find that writing your vow is actually enjoyable.  It’s a chance for you to share your feelings on the most important day of your life.  To order a copy of my book, click here.

Are small gatherings the new normal for weddings?

Since social-distancing protocols have become the fabric of our existence, it is probably best to plan a smaller wedding celebration than you may be accustomed to.  Many engaged couples are planning outdoor weddings to keep their guests (and themselves!) safe.  If there are people who are unable to attend or travel, you can set up a skype or zoom call to allow your long-distance guests to attend your wedding ceremony live via Livestream.

Rev. Dr. Samora Smith, owner of Common Ground Ceremonies is an award-winning NYC wedding officiant, pre-marital counselor, relationship and life coach, hypnotherapist/NLP practitioner.  You can contact her directly at rev.samora@gmail.com or visit her website for more info www.commongroundceremonies.com

 

 

Book Your Virtual Wedding Today!

Love is NEVER canceled!!

As a longtime NY Wedding Officiant, I was honestly surprised that getting married online would be as romantic and fun as it has turned out to be. I have been overjoyed by all the wonderful ceremonies that I have performed over the last few months. Project Cupid in New York has been extended until August 7th, 2020, so there's still time to book your online nuptials.

Virtual Online Wedding
Online Wedding in New York

What is an Online Wedding?

Online weddings can be as simple as a legal signing over Zoom with a court-style ceremony or, an elaborate wedding ceremony where you can include your family and friends.  It's completely up to you.  Your Officiant will perform the ceremony and send you the necessary steps for legalizing the paperwork.

Virtual Wedding on Zoom

How do I book my Wedding and what are the costs?

The first step for booking your online wedding is to schedule your appointment with the clerk's office.  You will need to book with an office located in the State of New York and you are required (as well as your Officiant) to be located within the State at the time of your wedding.  The cost to book your license application is $35.  The basic ceremony fee is $150 if you book with Common Ground Ceremonies. For a more customized celebration, let us know when you contact us to discuss any additional fees.

How long does it take to receive the license?

Once you book your appointment through Project Cupid, you will receive a copy of your license.  Your Officiant will legalize your paperwork with you during the Zoom or online video call.  Then you will submit the signed license to the portal and your certificate will be mailed to you within 4-6 weeks.  However, your marriage is legal once your Officiant signs your paperwork.

One thing's for sure, love is not canceled.  If your big wedding plans were changed due to Covid, you can still plan a wonderful get together with all your friends and family online.  Contact me at rev.samora@gmail today to book your Virtual Wedding.

 

Are Micro Weddings the New Trend?

Social-Distance Weddings?

In 2020, Love isn’t canceled and neither are wedding ceremonies.  Engaged couples are rethinking their wedding plans and scaling down their original guestlist to have their own Micro Wedding.  In other words, the mini-version of the Big Day.  Safety is the most important thing on our minds these days, and these smaller, more intimate gatherings will be the best options for this wedding season and possibly in the future.

Where can I have a Micro-Wedding?

Now that businesses are beginning to reopen in New York City, many wedding venues are re-thinking their space and creating open areas for wedding celebrations.  If you want to host a ceremony and reception, New York venues like The Water Club and Pier Sixty/The Lighthouse/Current offer amazing water views and wide-open spaces for your guests to celebrate. 

If you are interested in only having an outdoor ceremony, many brides and grooms are choosing to host their weddings in their family’s backyard or, a neighborhood park.  Central Park is a perfect outdoor location for an intimate wedding.  We offer Central Park Elopement packages which include an Officiant, Photographer, live Musician & Flowers.  All you need to do is provide the date, time, and preferred location and we will do everything else.

Still too nervous to have a small, in-person gathering?

Online Wedding Ceremony
Getting Married online during quarantine and social distancing

The best alternative to having an outdoor, small wedding, is to have your wedding online.  At Common Ground Ceremonies, we offer Zoom Weddings that are very romantic and honor all the safety guidelines.  If you have loved ones who are unable to travel or are considered high risk due to Covid-19, you should host your wedding ceremony online.  New York and New Jersey have issued Executive Orders to allow weddings to take place online.  All you need to do is obtain your license and once you have your appointment, you can schedule your online wedding.

For more information, contact Rev. Samora Smith, a New York Wedding Officiant and Elopement Planner to book your upcoming micro-wedding, Central Park Elopement, or Zoom Wedding.

In the meantime, stay safe and be well.

Is it time for a Virtual Wedding?

In the time of social distancing and “Shelter In” orders, couples are still moving forward with their wedding plans.  2020 was a really important year for many couples because of the mark of a new decade and everyone loves to celebrate big events during double numbers.  

The latest trend has been to move bigger events and celebrations online and weddings are no exception.  Just because the venue celebration had to be postponed, couples still want to get married on their original wedding date.  Instead of putting off the marriage you can have a professional officiant perform your ceremony online.  Invite all of your loved ones to an online meeting room and get married with everyone present.

Another alternative is to hire a local officiant to meet you in a safe setting like a rooftop or open outdoor space and have your loved ones attend the streaming of the ceremony.

I recently performed a ceremony on a rooftop in Chelsea for a couple who couldn’t wait another minute and it turned out to be the most romantic wedding I have ever done.  We are all looking forward to celebrating life and these moments make us feel hopeful and excited about the future.  I am currently offering online Virtual services and outdoor elopements in New York City this spring.  Contact me at info@commongroundceremonies.com to learn more.