Tag: Wedding Officiant

Should you ask a friend or family member to marry you or hire an officiant?

Weddings can be expensive and most couples today will seek creative ways to cut down on costs. Some of the most popular recent trends is to ask a friend or relative to DJ, take photos or even officiate the wedding ceremony to save those dineros.  As an experienced professional Wedding Officiant in New York for the past 10 years, I have seen many versions of this plan work successfully, however I have noticed a recent increase in being called in at the last minute to come to the rescue because the couple’s alternative “money saving” plan fell apart, which ultimately costs engaged couples even more in stress and time. 

Since officiating is my personal expertise, I have put together a list of things to research and consider before you decide to ask your friend or relative to officiate your wedding: 

  • Does my friend/relative have any experience with public speaking?
  • Does my friend/relative know me and my partner well enough to truly represent us?
  • If they do a “not so great” job will it damage our relationship?
  • How does my friend/relative view marriage? Are they happily married?  (Note: This matters in case they try to throw in some unsolicited advice during your ceremony and believe me, THIS HAPPENS!!
  • Can my friend/relative handle any last-minute changes or requests either made by us, the venue, or the other vendors?
  • Does my friend/relative have an engaging, welcoming personality to make our guests feel included?
  • Does the location where I plan to wed allow non-professional clergy to officiate weddings and sign legal documents?
  • Will my marriage be legal?

When you hire a professional wedding officiant or celebrant, they bring a level of expertise and experience to the most important day of your journey as a couple.  Many Officiants (specifically the ones who have attended seminary) are also ordained ministers and pre-marital counselors who can offer you the support and valuable tools needed to start your marriage on the right track. Also, when you develop a relationship with your officiant, you gain a counselor, a friend and neutral guide to support you through the many challenges and offerings that marriage inevitably brings. 

As an Interfaith Minister and Wedding Officiant in New York, I have developed long-lasting relationships with my couples and I often have the privilege to perform Baby Blessings for their children, Vow Renewals and other big celebrations in their family and friend circle.  Most importantly, as a professional Pre-Marital Counselor, I assist in building a foundation for success which begins before the wedding and helps you through the planning process.

For bookings and more information about my officiating and counseling services, please contact Rev. Samora Smith at rev.samora@gmail.com

New Book Launch: 300 Do It Yourself Vows-Choose Your Own

Have you ever had something that you HAVE to share with all your family and friends because you know it changes people’s lives?  Well, I am jumping for joy because that is exactly how I feel RIGHT NOW and I am so excited to share it with you. Recently, a dear friend and mentor said to me, “With all your years of experience, success and the hundreds of weddings you’ve performed, you could write a great do it yourself vow book. Something that can support couples to create meaningful, unique words on their special day”.  What a GENIUS idea (thank you, Dr. Yvonne!)!

You know that I’m a great lover of romantic films (YES, The Notebook is one of my faves) and as a 10-year, Award-Winning wedding officiant, I absolutely adore hearing people’s love stories. So, I got to writing and before you know it, I had over 300 vows written!

If you are newly engaged, know someone getting married, or want to renew your vows, my “300 DO IT YOURSELF VOWS” book is a wonderful experience. Once you open it, you‘ll keep on reading because it makes you feel so incredibly good. 

AND it’s a gift that keeps on giving!  Everyone knows that for a lasting relationship promises need to be continually created and built upon. For married couples, imagine choosing a “vow-a-day” to say to one another to keep your love alive; a surprise written vow might be even better. Or you can create an anniversary ritual and use this book to pick new vows to say each year on your special day.  Isn’t that awesome?  For engaged couples, this book provides a constant resource of loving, positive words to put together to say on your wedding day. And, it’s fun! You simply copy and paste your favorite lines and TADA! You have wonderful and meaningful personal vows.

Each vow carries a high vibration and the chapters are carefully thought out to align with all the important topics that create a wonderful, lasting marriage.  This is a wonderful gift for yourself, for newly engaged couples, bridal showers, and even your parent’s upcoming anniversary!  

INSTANT VOWS FOR LOVING COUPLES

 

****SPECIAL LAUNCH PRICE-ONLY $0.99 CENTS****

I am beyond excited to share my book with you and I invite you now to click HERE to order your copy (or copies!) today.

Valentine’s Day Wedding in New York

Are you planning a last-minute wedding or thinking about eloping in NYC?  Valentine’s Day is approaching and it is a wonderful time of year to get married in New York City.

Common Ground Ceremonies offers packages that can include a photographer, flowers, or anything you can think of to make your big day complete.

You can choose from a civil ceremony (humanist ceremony) or spiritual ceremony depending on your preferences.  Our NY Wedding Officiants will perform any type of ceremony you choose and also file the license for you afterwards (saving you a trip back down to the city clerk’s office.)  We can also provide a witness if you are planning to come by yourselves, but also recommend hiring a photographer who can sign for you, in addition to taking you around the city for amazing photos.

For those of you planning to renew your vows, Valentine’s Day is a romantic time to do so.  Contact us and we will assist you with planning your vow renewal ceremony.

2018 Wedding Trends to Watch Out for

Happy New Year!!  Engagement Season is here!!!  In 2017, we saw some really cool DIY wedding ideas and lots of unique touches ranging from non-traditional dresses to having personal pets as guests or ring-bearers….eek!!  Some trends were really awe-inspiring while others were more traditional as we have  witnessed them in the past. We know how much time engaged couples spend researching ideas online, so we thought it would be great to put together some wedding trends to watch out for this year.

Smaller Weddings

One of the most pursued wedding trends this past year was smaller, more intimate weddings. Couples have started thinking more logically than ever. They know how important it is to save money, so instead of going overboard with over-the-top decór or elaborate Viennese tables, they are choosing more intimate celebrations and spending more of their budget on their honeymoon and down-payments on their new home after they are married. In 2017, smaller weddings were trending and still seem to be popular this year. As a result, only your nearest and dearest are in attendance and there way fewer expenditures to worry about after your event.

Bridesmen & Groomsladies

Yes, you heard it right! Times have changed and there is no place for typical weddings anymore. In the coming year, it is expected that wedding parties will take place with some really great innovations. With parties changed and new roles being defined, we cannot predict how bridesmen and groomsladies will dress. Maybe they choose to dress like the opposite gender, who knows? After all, it’s a whole new era of wedding traditions shaping up for the future.

Cross-cultural Weddings

With the growing use of the internet and awareness being spread everywhere, in 2018, it is anticipated that weddings will take place with a glimpse of some other culture and tradition. Couples like to experiment on their special day and marrying their loved one in a unique style, will surely inspire them to follow this new trend. Traditional weddings have those same frocks and gowns, but if you go for cross-cultural weddings, you can get to wear traditional dresses of other countries.

Buffet Food

People are very choosy about their dietary habits. They don’t like to eat unhealthy food and items they don’t like. It can be really very difficult to take care of choices of all the guests. This is the reason why the trend of gourmet buffet food will grow rapidly in 2018. Couples will have more time to hang out with the guests at a place where they can serve a buffet-style meal. Every guest will get a chance to eat their favorite dish without any difficulty.

These are some wedding trends that will transpire in 2018 and transform wedding celebrations completely. These trends can really make your wedding ceremony unique and even more special. If you want to make your wedding celebration memorable, you should look for new and improved ideas and some of  the ideas discussed here, are certainly worth considering.  As a NY wedding officiant, I have seen many trends come and go, so our company provides wedding officiants and planners with years of experience and cross-cultural knowledge to keep up with the international couples we serve. We can help you create a whimsical wedding ceremony by incorporating all the latest wedding trends. Common Ground Ceremonies has recently won their 8th consecutive The Knot-2018 Best of Weddings award so please contact us today to discuss your wedding and for a chance to make your wedding day more special.