Why celebrant Leonie Duryea just reached 100+ five-star reviews on Easy Weddings

When Albury-Wodonga marriage celebrant Leonie Duryea launched her business, she assumed it would simply be a fun weekend hobby in a competitive regional market. Today, having officiated over 150 ceremonies and earned more than 100 verified five-star reviews on Easy Weddings, she has cemented her place as one of the region’s most trusted wedding professionals.

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For Leonie, hitting the 100-review milestone is less about the numbers and more about the trust built with every couple.

"I now feel incredibly proud to have officiated 150 weddings and received over a hundred 5-star reviews, knowing that each and every one of those reviews represents a real couple who trusted me with one of the biggest days of their lives. In my area, couples have plenty of options when it comes to choosing a celebrant, and I don’t take anyone for granted when I become that choice."

The edge that sets her apart from standard celebrants

What truly sets Leonie Duryea apart in a crowded market is her commitment to deep discovery and tailored storytelling. Rather than applying a one size fits all approach, she treats her very first meeting as an opportunity to listen and learn about the couple rather than sell a service.

"I listen! That very first meeting with a couple is so important. I don’t take a 'selling' approach, it’s all about learning and getting to know them. I ask the little things: How did you meet? What attracted you to each other? What makes you laugh? Who made the first move? What sort of wedding vibe are you after?"

Leonie

She recognises that every relationship requires a unique ceremony structure, whether that means romantic, fun, simple, or high-energy.

"I let them know it’s not just a 'one size fits all' approach. Some couples want romantic and emotional. Some want fun and relaxed. Some want a tiny ceremony with barely any fuss. Some want lots of crowd involvement. And so, I don't write a ceremony I think they should have, I write a ceremony that feels like them."

Leonie

Tailoring every ceremony through active listening

Rather than imposing a standard template, Leonie uses a hands-on planning approach to uncover what makes each couple tick. During initial consultations, she listens to their story and gives couples a physical ceremony planning booklet where they can scribble, highlight, or cross out ideas.

"I don't write a ceremony I think they should have, I write a ceremony that feels like them. I don't just perform ceremonies, I take the pressure off. By this I mean explaining the ceremony process, giving couples ideas, listening rather than imposing, writing something personal, handling legalities, thinking about practicalities, arriving early, doing rehearsals, noticing the little things, calming nerves, interacting with guests, and working with other vendors."

Leonie

Mastering regional logistics and ceremony planning

Covering regional NSW and Victoria, Leonie’s country background gives her a practical advantage when managing open-road travel and venue logistics. She always insists on venue rehearsals and arrives a full hour before the start time to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Her final piece of advice for couples planning their day? Focus on what genuinely matters to you.

"Stop trying to plan a perfect wedding day and concentrate on your own values and what matters to you as a couple. The most relaxed and happiest wedding couples are those who feel comfortable with the choices they have made. Follow your heart, and let a good celebrant help make things easier, not harder."

Leonie

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