Team Biographies
I try to run my business by this motto: To live as Christ is not to demand it of others, but to find it in myself, so that others may see. We welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the industry.
~Rev. Carleen
Rev. Carleen Burns
My services are based on the belief that my couple's needs are of the utmost importance. I am committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of my business is from vendor and customer's referrals. So that my family and clients are my priority, I am solely devoted to a life cycles ministry (weddings, baby and home blessings and funerals) and do not tend to a church congregation. I am ordained and authorized to solemnize marriage almost anywhere in the USA, but concentrate on Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana. I obtained my ordination to officiate weddings through the Universal Life Church - an interfaith and nondenominational ministry. Because the ULC embraces diversity of beliefs, it allows me to perform a wide variety of ceremonies--from the very secular to the very religious. As a non-denominational minister, I will not ask for a religious commitment or counseling sessions from my couples. I spent the first 12 years of my life in Grand Rapids and enjoy visiting the area. I have lived in the Kalamazoo area since then. I graduated from Parchment and lived in the Mattawan school district for 18 years. I now live in Vicksburg with my husband, Brian, and our youngest son, Brandon. My oldest, Jessica and our son, Travis are out on their own now. When not uniting happy couples in wedded bliss, I work in an elementary school with special needs, and enjoy crafting and writing. I love what I do! I truly feel honored when a couple chooses me for such an intimate day of their lives, and take that trust very seriously. I strive to make the ceremony something they don't have to stress about and will remember fondly. Though my wedding ministry does help me provide something toward our household budget, this is a calling for me; not a "gold mine".
Rev. Véronique Jewell
In 2000, I was ordained by Reunion Ministries as an interfaith minister. Since then, I have had the honor of officiating mostly weddings but also baptisms and other sacred ceremonies. For your wedding, whether you desire a traditional or non-traditional ceremony, my Catholic upbringing and interfaith training together aid me in weaving scripture, prayer and/or blessings into the ceremony of your dreams. My life in two cultures also helps me to enhance the beauty of your wedding. I also perform non‑religious ceremonies should that be your need. My focus and intention is to offer a unique ceremony where the bride and groom feel heard, understood, cared for and blessed while their guests also feel welcome and included. I do not require any religious commitments prior to the ceremony but will provide counseling and guidance if requested by the couple. I was born and lived in France until moving to the USA in 1991 where I married my husband, William (also an interfaith minister). We have been settled in Kalamazoo, MI for 14 years after spending time in Westminster, MD and Raleigh, NC. My daughter, Eleonore lives here in town. We have two super dogs, Gizmo and Muffin. In France I worked as a registered nurse and in pharmaceuticals where I also worked in the US. I am certified and teach Yoga at two studios and also teach French at Western Michigan University. My love for gardening keeps me busy and surrounded by beauty.