serving a diverse community since 2004, with over 600 satisfied couples MD and VA

202.253.3629	Serving All Faiths and All People Everyday
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Maryland Gay Weddings Virginia Commitment Ceremonies   Family Matters We who support marriage equality in Maryland are still fighting the good fight to keep marriage equality here.   Even though our state governor will sign the bill into law on 3/1/2012, we still face challenges.  It is my prayer that Maryland will celebrate being the 8th state to offer our same sex couples marriage equality in 2013.   For those of you who are ready to tie the knot, then let's work together to make it happen.  You can have your main wedding event in (your hometown) Maryland or Virginia with all your family and friends witnessing your vows.  And either before or after your wedding, you can get married in a private signing ritual in DC, so your commitment can be legal.  It's that easy.   Your commitment ceremony can be: Spiritual Nondenominational Nonreligious Christian    It does not matter what your spiritual beliefs are, you are welcome here.  For God loves all.  We are all created in absolute perfection (gay, lesbian, straight).     I am Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns a court authorized marriage celebrant, ordained minister, and wedding officiant.    Upon completion of my ministerial program, I started serving our gay and lesbian people.   In 2004, I founded The Chapel of Love Ceremonies, then SJB Ministries LLC in 2006.     My experience has shown me that many couples today, seek a celebrant who respects their beliefs, relationships, and values.   And my training has taught me to embrace cultural and spiritual diversity openly, lovingly, and unconditionally.     As a licensed minister, I am authorized to perform weddings and other rites of passage.    Recently I have been seen standing with our state governor and other clergy in support of the Civil Marriage Protection Act for all families.  I know that Maryland does not offer same sex marriage, right now.  If the new Civil Marriage Protection Act law survives a referendum, I will be officiating same sex marriages in Maryland very soon.      Meanwhile, you are welcome to have your marriage officiated in DC through a private signing ritual, then return to Maryland or Virginia for your big wedding celebration.      If you contract me to officiate your main event in MD or VA (first); then your signing ritual in DC is FREE (certain conditions do apply).   That's a $195 value.   Traveling to your wedding site is not a problem.  I will come to a home (in safe communities only), garden, park, mansion, banquet hall, country club, ballroom, hotel, restaurant, yacht, etc.   Letting me know where, when, and how to get there; puts me at the right place at the right time.       Planning Suggestions   Planning a commitment ceremony,  is no different from planning a wedding.  So relax and think about hiring a professional wedding planner or day of coordinator to help you plan your special day.    Meanwhile, I have provided some friendly ceremony planning tips to take the mystery out of planning a commitment celebration or wedding.  To learn more, click the link tips and suggestions or join us on Facebook.       Changing Your Name in Maryland or Virginia   Since MD recognizes same sex marriages performed in other states, changing your names should not be a problem.  However, those living in Virginia will have to  petition the Circuit Court in the county or city where you reside.  Links for the forms are provided below:   Virginia Form   If you need more information, kindly contact the Circuit Court Clerk in your jurisdiction.   Virginia     Fees:   Same Sex Celebrations (MD & NoVA) Commitment Ceremonies - Gay Weddings - Lesbian Weddings MD Gay Weddings (one day Gay Marriages) $395 to $625   VA Commitment Ceremonies $395 to $795   DC Wedding Services  (to make your marriage legal, learn more, click the link) $195  and up     Upon booking your wedding with me, you will receive a free ceremony workbook with sample ceremonies, rituals, and readings.  In addition, you will receive a personalized draft ceremony, and along with a pre-wedding questionnaire.     The above fees are based on writing and revising the ceremony, traveling to and from the wedding site, rehearsal attendance (when needed), wedding party direction and coordination (if needed), my time corresponding with you, officiating the ceremony, signing and mailing the marriage license, and (if applicable) a holiday wedding fee ($60 is added to the base cost).   You may reserve your wedding date and time with a $100 nonrefundable  deposit.  This payment can be made by mail with a check or money order (and it is subtracted from your total fee).  I normally collect this fee at the conclusion of our first meeting (in person or over the phone).  The balance is due 60 days before the ceremony.   Making a deposit!  click the link   Meeting (Initial Consultation in person or by Skype)   Once we have agreed on a meeting date and time; kindly confirm it with me the day before or the morning (after 10:00 am) of our meeting.  This way I will know that you are sincere about your wedding plans and meeting with me.  If I do not hear from you, I will assume that you are no longer interested in my services.   All meetings are held in Bowie, MD or via Skype.  And I ask that you do not bring kids to the meeting.  Children can be very distracting for this type of business discussion.  Try to consider this a sacred time for you and your fiancé or fiancée.    Our meeting will be held at Panera Bread in the Vista Gardens Marketplace:  10531 Martin Luther King Jr. Highway, Bowie, MD  20720.    If you would like to reserve my services at the end of our meeting, you will need and a $100 cash deposit.  Checks and money orders are also accepted.      Click here for directions to my home office.       Gay and Lesbian Weddings SJB Ministries LLC   Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns  MD Pro Gay Wedding Officiant and Gay Friendly Wedding Minister    202.253.3629 revsjb@comcast.net   Serving MD, VA, and Washington DC
	Same sex marriages are not legal in Maryland or Virginia.  So many couples are celebrating their love through a jumping of the broom rituals such as; commitment ceremonies, unity weddings, or declaration of love celebrations.  However, DC has marriage equality (legal same sex marriages, and many couples are getting married in DC and having their public celebration in Maryland or Virginia).         Member of several:    Professional Organizations for Wedding Ministers, Wedding Officiants and Wedding Professionals   Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC Wedding Ministers & Gay Friendly Wedding Officiants'  Site NYC gay officiants, DC gay officiants, ny gay wedding officiant, dc gay wedding officiant, ny gay weddings, dc gay marriages, ny gay marriages         Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns supports Pro Gay Wedding Officiants and Same Sex Wedding Ministers across the nation who perform same-gender loving weddings or commitment ceremonies.   SJB Ministries LLC is offering MD Gay Weddings, Commitment Ceremonies, & VA Same Sex Weddings  service to a diverse spiritual community   Serving Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia Pro Gay Wedding Minister and MD Pro Gay Officiant       Planning Resources   NY Gay Marriages   DC Gay Marriages     There are many terms to describe the sacred union of same sex couples who want the right and  freedom to marry:  Lesbian Weddings, Gay Marriages, Gay Weddings DC MD VA,  Commitment Ceremonies, Civil Unions, Holy Unions,  Same Sex Weddings, Same-gender loving weddings and Domestic Partnership Ceremonies.  However, NY Gay marriages, DC same sex marriages are here.   And I am a Maryland Lesbian Friendly Wedding Minister, MD Pro Gay Officiant, Washington DC Lesbian Friendly Officiant, DC Pro Gay Officiant, DC Gay Friendly Minister and Virginia Lesbian Friendly Minister, NY Pro Gay Officiant, NYC Gay Officiant. And I have performed more than 75 Lesbian Weddings & Gay Weddings, in Maryland, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and Manhattan NY     ©All Rights Reserved SJB Ministries LLC 2008-2011   Revised July 14, 2011     Back to top