Tag: engaged2020

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

 

 

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.