Rev. Joe took the helm of Long Island Wedding Officiants in 2023, bringing warmth, integrity, and attention to detail to both his leadership and the ceremonies he performs. Ordained as an Interfaith Minister and having served on the Board of Directors at his seminary, he honors all faiths, philosophies, and personal paths. Raised Italian Catholic (and a second cousin, twice removed, of Saint Padre Pio – it’s true!), Joe’s background in performance and meditation shapes a style that is heart-centered, joyful, and grounded—and equally at home in either the secular or the sacred.

Rev. Aviva Sala has been working exclusively for Long Island Wedding Officiants for over a decade. Aviva is a great speaker who is lauded for her listening and writing skills. From traditional ceremonies to off-beat creations, she is truly at the top of her game right now. Aviva’s creativity and humor have made her a particular favorite; creating masterpieces that are recalled long after the final, “I do’s”.

Pastor April has performed over six thousand ceremonies. As a writer, her gift for crafting rich, descriptive language that reflects each couple’s unique story is unmatched. As a speaker, she is warm and engaging, effortlessly drawing out both laughter and joyful tears. Though now stepped back from full-time work, Pastor April continues to officiate on special occasions. Her professionalism, insight, and deep experience remain the benchmark that all of us at Long Island Wedding Officiants strive to uphold.

Minister Brenda Santana’s background in singing, acting, and performance, richly informs her work as a celebrant. In addition to writing meaningful ceremonies that touch hearts, Brenda has a presence and delivery that are quite-simply exceptional. Did we mention that her family hails from Puerto Rico and that she’s fluent in Spanish too? It’s true! She moves fluidly between English and Spanish without a trace of accent in either. Brenda is known for her gentleness and flexibility from first introductions right through your wedding day.

Rev. Deb Viola has been performing ceremonies for almost as long as Pastor April has and she is amazing! Her nature is warm and welcoming, her demeanor soothing; which is reflected in how relaxed her couples are on their wedding day. Whether using sample pieces from our library or writing fully custom and personalized ceremonies, every couple benefits from Deb’s talented, compassionate style.

Rabbi Sara Shonfeld joined Long Island Wedding Officiants when she saw that the needs of culturally Jewish couples, and those with a religious background but no temple affiliation, were not being met. Sara is seventh generation Israeli who speaks Hebrew perfectly. As a seminary trained interfaith officiant, she can perform ceremonies that honor any religion, represent multiple faiths, or make no mention of religion at all. Most importantly, Rabbi Sara is truly one of the most joyful human beings on the planet and it shows in all of her celebrations.

Rabbi Brian Denker firmly believes that the strength of the Jewish community derives not only from the divine inspiration of the Torah and our unwavering faith in the oneness of the Lord our God, but also from our capacity for adaptability, open-mindedness, and our courage to drive positive change. He’s dedicated to upholding ancient traditions, teachings, and rituals while fostering an inclusive and hospitable environment for everyone.