We decided to have a last minute civil ceremony at our condo in DC after finding out that my father's health was rapidly worsening. We found Reverend Burns online and sent her an email inquiring if she could file our paperwork, bring it to our home and officiate a small civil ceremony. She quickly responded and within 24 hours (beginning on the Sunday of the Thanksgiving weekend) we had received an emailed response, spoke to her on the phone, and completed all the necessary paperwork.

Reverend Burns is kind and thoughtful. She even suggested that my father walk me down the "aisle", which was the entrance to our roof deck. She kept us up to date with emails and she was prompt the day of the ceremony. However, that is not what made her fabulous; my fiance told her our engagement story and she incorporated the tearing of a paper towel as part of the ceremony at the very last minute. It brought me to tears and the entire ceremony was perfect!

She also created a lovely program and had everything prepared in a folder for us to review. She really thought of everything, including the forms and envelopes to get certified copies of the wedding certificate. I strongly recommend her services. She will not disappoint and will probably pleasantly surprise you!

We decided to have a last minute civil ceremony at our condo in DC after finding out that my father's health was rapidly worsening. We found Reverend Burns online and sent her an email inquiring if she could file our paperwork, bring it to our home and officiate a small civil ceremony. She quickly responded and within 24 hours (beginning on the Sunday of the Thanksgiving weekend) we had received an emailed response, spoke to her on the phone, and completed all the necessary paperwork.

Reverend Burns is kind and thoughtful. She even suggested that my father walk me down the "aisle", which was the entrance to our roof deck. She kept us up to date with emails and she was prompt the day of the ceremony. However, that is not what made her fabulous; my fiance told her our engagement story and she incorporated the tearing of a paper towel as part of the ceremony at the very last minute. It brought me to tears and the entire ceremony was perfect!

She also created a lovely program and had everything prepared in a folder for us to review. She really thought of everything, including the forms and envelopes to get certified copies of the wedding certificate. I strongly recommend her services. She will not disappoint and will probably pleasantly surprise you!

We had been engaged quite a while, but rather last minute (in Oct) to get married in DC on our anniversary in Nov 2011. While we did not love the thought of getting married at the courthouse, we thought that was the best option at the last minute. Then I found the Reverend online, we were so excited. She worked with us - at the very last minute (3 or 4 days before) - to create a beautiful ceremony outside of the Jefferson Memorial. She is very flexible in offering skype for first meetings with her, traveling to different sites in DC to officiate, and filing the paperwork for us. But the lasting memory are the lovely vows she drafted based on her first meeting with us. Rev. Burns made our day very special!!!

We have already recommended Reverend Burns to several of our friends. She was very helpful in getting our license without us being there and made the process very easy and painless. The ceremony she provided was very memorable, she also recommended the location which was beautiful.

Rev. Burns is an absolute professional with a witty sense of humor and an amazing ceremony delivery style. Her ability to perform a simple, sophisticated ceremony that wasn't the typical canned presentation was sincerely appreciated not only by the bride & groom but our guests as well. Thank you for adding to the joyful spirit of our event with your presence and your amazing talent. And thank you for giving us a lasting memory of your kindness and generosity. Sincerely, Elisha & Ka-el

Rev. Burns was EXCEPTIONAL!!!!!!!!! We found her only weeks before our wedding, however we felt like we had known her for such a long time. Her professionalism, flexibility, and creativity during our last few weeks of planning put us at ease. Rev. Burns exudes confidence and a great sense of humor, and added a wonderful touch of class to our ceremony. We wholeheartedly recommend her!!!!!

Dellin and Nicole Smith, 10/8/2011
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

Our planner at DIYva Designs recommend Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns to us. We waited so late in the game finding an officiant since our ceremony was not going to be at church and were sooooo relieved when she was available to perform our wedding ceremony for us. We met with her about 1 month prior to our wedding where we got to know each other and she went over her services and what she was able to provide. We were given the opportunity to customize our ceremony and see examples of others that she does. She was very nice to work with and was also very understanding when we experienced a delay at our rehearsal.

She is very easy to talk to, answered any questions we had and was prompt with returning calls/emails which is also very important.

Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns was an exceptional officiant! She made our ceremony everything we had hoped it would be. It was very clear she was very happy to be apart of our special day! If we could we would give her 10 Stars !!!

Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns was very professional and at the same time she was loving and sincere! She made our ceremony exactly what we wanted it to be! She was highly recommended to us and we highly recommend her to anyone planning to get married in the DC area!

Joseph & David

My husband and I selected Rev Burns to perform our marriage ceremony after talking to a few others. The most important thing to us was that we and our family and friends were comfortable with her. Within minutes of meeting, she expressed her belief in equality for gay and lesbian people and her frustration with other religious leaders who oppose equality. I enjoyed using her guidebook to write our ceremony, although she will do it for you if you don't want to. I think the revisions she made to my version were helpful. Rev Burns was gracious to our families and friends and several people remarked that they enjoyed talking to her at the rehearsal, reheasal dinner, and reception. The ceremony went off perfectly. I would certainly recommend Rev Burns for a wedding whether gay or straight.

Rev. Burns was great! she was professional and offered some insight and great advice to us about the journey on which we were about to embark.

She paid close attention to us and took the time to get to know us and find out what was truly important to us, and was sure to include that in the ceremony.

Rev. Burns delivered a wonderful service and I highly recommend her!

I just want to say a few honest and kind words about our experience with Chapel of Love Ceremonies and the respected and most honorable Starlene Joyner Burns, MSS. We arrived from Miami to Washington DC after a earthquake and in the midst of a hurricane this past August 25th. We, my partner and myself were a nervous wreck if you can imagine but went on a vibe all would be fine. Well, it was more than fine, it was spectacular. The storm just brushed by us at our hotel and she was encouraging through the entire process. She was on time, kind and encouraging about doubts, cold feet, vow's and positive advice in making this marriage a most wonderful and long lasting one at that. My partner was an hour late right after the photographer who was just as late due to the storm and she was so patient and calming to me. She spent time sharing advice and listening to me discussing hopes, concerns and desires from Gay Marriage to Acceptance and family turbulence shall I say. She was wonderful! The ceremony went so smooth and her words and vows bestowed upon us were priceless. She further gave us for keep sake a nice folder with all our documents, licenses and vows exchanged etc. A true memorable keep sake and I just want to say on behalf of my partner and I - we thank you so much. We hope many more lucky couples out there get the chance to experience the true blessings and spiritual nature of the most honorable Minister - Starlene Joyner Burns, MSS.
To her I say thank you for your time, patience and true caring nature you bestowed upon Gary and I on August 27, 2011. God bless and much success and many more opportunities to those wishing to elope. Best regards with love, Craig

She is very professional, punctual, and made sure our wedding ran smooth! Definately referrable!

Reverend Burns went above and beyond to help my husband and I make sure our day was perfect. She did a wonderful job and we are very satisfied with her and will recommend her to all of our friends/family.
Thank you again Reverend Burns,

Corey and Avia Cumberbatch

Honestly, you made our wedding day perfect!!!!

Very Very sweet and beautiful person that does everthing with excellent taste.