The Branding Station

Somewhere in every good gathering there's a moment when people stop watching and start doing.

Ours is a branding station: a hot iron, a bench of scrap leather, and a saddler who has worked leather for more than 25 years. Guests come up one at a time, choose their initials and a symbol, and watch their own tag take the burn — smoke curling off the iron — and then it's theirs to take home.

It isn't a photo booth. It's something made in front of you, by hand. It's the thing people still have on their keys years later.

What's included

Every booking includes one cattle ID tag per couple. Up to three initials and a symbol, chosen on the day from the set we keep in the kit — stars, longhorns, love hearts and more.

Bring something of your own

Anything past that first tag is $10 an item. Another tag, or something you bring yourself: a felt hat, a belt, a pair of boots, a bag. We don't supply hats — the hat is yours, we do the branding. And if your family has its own property brand, Dave can press that onto your own item, so long as the design isn't too complex. Send us a photo when you enquire and we'll tell you before the day.

What it costs

From $550 for three hours, including the tag for each couple. Travel is charged at 95c per kilometre from Wondai — we're at 73 Haly Street, and we travel across the South Burnett and surrounds.

Where you'll find us

Weddings, birthdays, festivals and rodeos. Anywhere people gather and want something to do with their hands.

To book

Call Tania on 0408 419 437, or email tania@saddlersrestwondai.com.au with your date, the venue, roughly how many guests, and how many tags you think you'll want. If you're not sure how it would work in your venue, say so — we'll talk you through the setup.