Rev. S.J. Burns, Officiant - Wedding Planning Suggestions for MD, DC & VA Brides




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Friendly Suggestions from Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns - 202.253.3629
I receive a lot of calls from brides who don't know where to start in planning their wedding or holy union. So I decided to share a few tips from my experience as a minister. Planning a wedding takes a lot of time, attention to details, organizational skills, and patience. If you are missing one or more of the above attributes, then putting your wedding together yourself will be a very frustrating task. You will be stressed out, unorganized, late, inconsiderate of others, and drained. So, I suggest that you delegate this task to a trustworthy individual or people. It is my belief that wedding planning is team work, and sometimes the players will be the event coordinators at the venue and members of your bridal party. The people you would want on your team, or the person you would want to pass the baton of leadership to, should be: someone who is capable of thinking fast and making decisions ability to take charge organized great attention to details care about you and your partner time conscious not easily offended can deal with quick changes have your best interest at heart and care about what she is creating If such a person does not exist amongst your friends and family, then you might think about hiring an event coordinator. Your wedding day should be a day of relaxation, not stress and anxiety. But forget all that, because you're adamant about doing it yourself. Planning Suggestions: Purchase a wedding planning book (very important) Create a budget Get your marriage license (notice if there is a deadline for use) Get vendor recommendations from friends or family members who recently got married and get signed contacts from vendors Buy bridal magazines or use their websites for: Venue Florist Baker Makeup artist Apparel and Accessories Caterer Disc Jockey Photographer Videographer Limousine Service Ice-Carver Vocalist Dancers Musicians Day-Of Wedding Coordinator Decorator Balloon Artist Invitations Rings Programs Create a webpage for your special day announcing all the necessary information for your guests and participants. Such as: Wedding Location Gift Registry Directions Nearby Hotels Sightseeing information Rehearsal details for the bridal party Wedding Day Itinerary Reception Itinerary Age restriction for small guests (with the exception of bridal party participants) The above is just a rough sketch with many missing pieces. Remember that I am a minister, on the outside looking in; sharing with you what I have seen from that position. This task will not be easy, but it will be a training experience that you will always remember. So doing it stress free, well rested, and energized will be the biggest challenge. Are you ready to get started? Amazon Books, here she comes! Modern Bride, watch out! Bridal Party Selections: Selecting your bridal party is never an easy task. There are just too many people who want to have roles, but there are only so many to go around. So select your bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid or matron of honor by their character and willingness to help you to create an event to remember. Your wedding party should be people who are dependable and will not disappoint you for spite. They should be willing to change if necessary to show how much they want to support you and your partner. They should be understanding and forgiving. They should be cooperative and willing to do the work they are assigned. They should be reliable and willing to show up for the rehearsal and fitting on time, and early for the wedding. They should not show any resistance to your ideas, but offer suggestions to add to your creative production. They should be willing to sacrifice their own plans if necessary. They should be willing to prioritize their schedule. My prayers are with you in creating the wedding of your dreams; that you planned, organized, and executed to the best of your abilities.


*Outdoor Weddings Tips* Late evening weddings in August is often a surprise, because the sun begins to set sooner. So plan your outside event while the sun is still bright and clear. Before booking your time with the venue, check to see when the sun will set on you special day. Click the sky above, and get your answer. *Bees and Gnats* I have done weddings at venues where there was an absence of bugs. And I have done weddings where there was a constant fanning of bees; while the gnats would settle in the fabric of the bride's dress. So ask the event coordinator at the venue you choose about their flying neighbors. *Guests* Consider your guests and elderly family members sitting in the sweltering heat while supporting you. The heat can be pretty overwhelming for them especially while dressed in formal clothing. So provide: Ice cold drinking water Fans Start your wedding on time or a few minutes afterwards, but do not delay your wedding more than 10 minutes. It's not fair to them to have to wait in temperatures above 80ş. Aisle Runner Use colored pouches full of stones at 2 feet intervals (both sides) to hold down the runner. This prevents the runner from taking off to distant places across the lawn. Unity Candle Hurricane covers will keep the candles from blowing out. It takes a long time for parents to light candles when the wind is working against their efforts. The same applies to the bride and groom. Therefore, I suggest replacing this ritual with the sand blending one provided that you don't want to purchase hurricane covers.


I am, Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns a nondenominational - interfaith minister, and the founder and director of SJB Ministries LLC. In addition, I am an active minister at the National Spiritual Science Center (NSSC) of Washington, DC. After four consecutive years of ministerial study at NSSC, I became an ordained minister of Spiritual Science, prior to that I was ordained in the Christian faith. I am compassionate, ethical, and professional. So, I will work hard with you to ensure that your wedding ceremony is memorable. My office of services include, weddings, commitment ceremonies, healings, funerals (including pets), baby blessings, baptisms, premarital and marriage coaching, spiritual counseling, house blessings, and other rites of passage. Therefore, I will travel to your ceremony site to perform any of the holy sacraments.


SJB Ministries LLC Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns, MSS MD, DC, VA Officiant and Wedding Minister 4722 Morning Glory Trail Bowie, MD 202.253.3629 revsjb@comcast.net Serving Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia