May 2026 - In The Booth

Golden Hour Photos

Posted on 2026-05-212026-05-19 by In the Booth

EVENT PLANNING

Golden Hour Photos

Every couple dreams of soft, glowing wedding portraits. You know the ones – those glowing images at sunset on Pinterest that get you lost in a wedding day daydream! Those dreamy images often happen during Golden Hour. Golden Hour is the short period before sunset or after sunrise. During this time, natural light looks warm, soft, and flattering. You’d be hard pressed to find a photographer without Golden Hour photos in their website gallery!

Golden Hour Photos create romantic skin tones and beautiful golden highlights. Additionally, they give wedding galleries a timeless and cinematic feel. However, these photos need thoughtful planning to work perfectly. It’s common knowledge that wedding day schedules often don’t run to plan. People are late, things go wrong and the schedule gets behind.

By working with your photographer and wedding planner, you can count on creating incredible Golden Hour Photos without feeling rushed.

IN THE BOOTH WEDDINGS

Talk to Your Photographer Early

Start discussing Golden Hour during your wedding planning process. Sunset times change throughout the year. Therefore, your photographer can recommend the best timing for portraits. Listen to their advice and work your wedding day schedule around this. Remember, the day will pass but you’ll have your photos forever. Some extra time worked into your schedule for Golden Hour photos is so worth it.

Summer weddings often have later sunsets. Meanwhile, winter weddings usually reach Golden Hour much earlier. Because of this, your timeline should match the season and venue location. You may need to be flexible to make everything work together. For example, a summer Golden Hour may mean dinner starting later for your guests as your reception arrival will be later after photos. How can you keep your guests fed and happy while they wait?

Your photographer has most likely been to your venue before. Ask their advice for the best locations on property to capture Golden Hour. When couples trust their photographer’s advice, the results are always worth it!

Build Extra Time Into Your Timeline

Wedding days move quickly. Family photos, speeches, and dancing can fill your schedule fast. Therefore, adding breathing room is extremely important. Instead of rushing portraits, schedule dedicated time for Golden Hour Photos. Even 15 minutes can completely transform your wedding gallery.

If Golden Hour falls later, perhaps schedule 15 minutes with your photographer outdoors after the reception has started. Many couples hesitate to leave guests during the reception. However, your photographer will be conscious of this and keep things moving. They also give couples a quiet moment together. Pause, breathe, and enjoy your wedding day sunset together.

Stay Flexible During Sunset

Light changes quickly over minutes and even seconds. Weather conditions will also effect Golden Hour photos on your day. The movement of the light means no two photos will be the same and your photographer will use this to your advantage.

Be prepared to be flexible and be ready to move! If your photographer says “quick!”, there’s a reason why. They’re trying to capture that perfect light and sunset waits for no one!

Choose the Right Locations

Be practical about your locations for your Golden Hour photos. If you’re in love with a beach sunset image, your photographer won’t be able to recreate this for you in a rainforest setting. It’s important to work with your available landscape and not against it.

You might have a particular idea in mind for your photos, but let your photographer lead the way. Your idea may not necessarily work well with the available light. Be prepared to hustle to where your photographer places you. Asking questions takes up valuable time when the sun is setting – just trust and go!

Capture Golden Hour Candids With Guest Cam

In the Booth’s Guest Cam always gets a work out during Golden Hour! It’s a great activity to keep guests busy while you’re off having your photos taken. Guests often get a bird’s eye view of your reception or photo time and some of the most beautiful candid pictures will be waiting to surprise you on your USB folio.

Let your guests know via your invitation that Guest Cam will be available so they can download the app and be ready to go. Trust us – once one guest gets snapping, that’s all it takes! Their printed photos make the perfect keepsake if you’re looking for a way to keep costs down too.

Budget Catering Ideas

Posted on 2026-05-192026-05-19 by In the Booth

EVENT INSPIRATION

Budget Catering Ideas

Without a doubt, one of your largest invoices for your wedding or event will be for catering. Feeding people is just expensive, full stop. Eating and drinking at weddings and events go hand in hand! Guests arrive and they’re almost instantly looking for food and water!

In addition, you know what’s more expensive than feeding a few people? It’s feeding a lot of people! The average wedding guest list is approximately one hundred people. Imagine if each guests takes three canapés – that’s a bill for 300 canapés. You can see how costs can add up quickly.

Today on the blog we’re looking at the best ideas we’ve seen for keeping catering within budget. With some small sacrifices, you can keep your catering bill under control and guests’ bellies full too. Remember to Google suppliers in your local area to keep delivery costs down and support your local small businesses!

EVENTS WE BOOTH AT

Wood-fired Pizza

Pizza is a fantastic catering option for feeding a crowd on a limited budget. Most pizza trucks will keep making pizza until your crowd stops eating. Some even offer dessert pizza options so you can kill two birds with one stone. All you’ll need is some outside space for the crew to set up. Don’t forget your guests will need to visit the pizza truck themselves to be served so just allow time for this in your evening’s schedule.

BBQ Buffet

A BBQ buffet can cut down on costs but keep bellies full. Most BBQ offerings will involve a buffet where the food keeps coming out and guests can visit the buffet to serve themselves. Just remember to chat about the details such as serving ware and table clearing. You may be able to hire additional wait staff to clear tables but just remember this may not be included. Cleaning up after buffet can be a task in itself so you may require extra helpers.

Taco Bar

Mad about Mexican? You and most people! A taco bar is an easy and inexpensive way to feed your mob. Chicken, beef or pork fillings can be kept warm in slow cookers for guests to serve themselves into warmed taco shells or wraps. Other items for your tacos such as cheese and lettuce are budget friendly and can be bought in bulk cheaply at places like Costco. A taco bar gives an interactive buffet vibe. A few corn chips on the side and – ole!

Grazing Table

Grazing tables can be a fantastic way to feed your crowd. Guests can pick and choose their favourites and there’s way more variety than “chicken or fish”. Grazing tables are fantastic as a substitute entree or dessert. There’s so many ways they can be themed to suit. From cheese to cannoli there’s literally endless ways to create a delicious grazing table that will keep guests coming back for more.

Dessert Night

If your budget is tight, consider starting your event a little later. Clearly communicate on your invitation that the event is for dessert only. Dessert is such a fun way to spoil your guests without the expense of a full sit down meal. DIY a pavlova bar or gelato station. If dessert only has opened up your budget, splurge on an ice cream truck or other dessert supplier to do the worrying for you!

Soup Buffet

There’s nothing better to fill people up and keep things under budget than some delicious soups. This is a great option especially if your event is in winter. Put out some bowls, spoons and baskets piled high with crusty bread and let your guests go to town! There’s so many options for soups available or ask your friends and family to pot luck and bring their favourite along in a slow cooker.

Wedding Planning Events

Posted on 2026-05-072026-05-07 by In the Booth

WEDDING PLANNING

Wedding Planning Events

Planning a wedding feels exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Thankfully, attending a few helpful events can make the process much easier. These events are designed connect couples with experienced suppliers, fresh ideas, and practical planning advice.

Wedding expos remain one of the most popular planning events. These large showcases feature venues, photographers, florists, entertainers, and In the Booth in one location. Additionally, couples often enjoy live demonstrations, fashion parades, and exclusive event discounts. Instead of searching online for hours, couples can meet suppliers face-to-face and compare services quickly.

Venue open days also offer valuable planning inspiration. During these events, venues display ceremony setups, reception styling, and catering options. Furthermore, couples can explore the space while speaking directly with venue coordinators. This experience helps couples visualise their wedding day more clearly.

Bridal workshops and planning seminars continue growing in popularity as well. These smaller events focus on practical advice and current wedding trends. For example, couples may learn budgeting tips, timeline planning strategies, or styling techniques. In addition, many workshops encourage questions and personal interaction. You’re sure to depart leaving more organised than when you arrived!

Local wedding markets create another exciting opportunity for engaged couples. These relaxed events often feature boutique suppliers, handmade products, and creative services. Meanwhile, couples can discover unique ideas that larger expos sometimes overlook. This personal approach helps couples create weddings that feel authentic and memorable.

Online wedding events also provide convenient planning support. Virtual expos, supplier showcases, and live-streamed Q&A sessions allow couples to research from home. As a result, busy couples can continue planning despite packed schedules.

Every wedding planning event offers different benefits. However, each one helps couples gain inspiration, confidence, and valuable industry connections. Most importantly, these events transform wedding planning into an enjoyable and memorable experience.

IN THE BOOTH WEDDINGS

Bridal Expo

You’ve probably heard of this one! Most major cities will host bridal expos every few months. Smaller areas may hold a yearly event. Google wedding expo organisers in your area. Wedding expos are often linked to bridal magazines or other advertising initiatives. Wedding expos are fantastic for wedding planning because you can see, touch and chat with prospective vendors.

Venue Open Day

Venue open days are usually more intimate and specific to the venue at hand. These can be great to visit before you book your venue to find out more but also afterwards. Venue open days will have a more personal feel and you will be able to chat with their staff about the specifics of your day. View their event spaces in more detail and suppliers are usually the venue’s preferred team.

Tasting Dinner

Tasting dinners are hosted by venues as an opportunity for their couples to test out their menu and make those tricky decisions! Plan a lovely evening out with your betrothed to lock in some menu decisions your coordinator is probably chasing you for! A tasting dinner will often have the opportunity for you to chat with the chefs themselves and ask any specific questions,

Workshop

A creative workshop can be fantastic to help solidify your wedding planning. Florists, cake makers and more are all known for running simple workshops to help you with ideas and options. Slightly less fun perhaps, but a budget workshop can remove a lot of stress from wedding planning and ensure yourself and your partner are on the same page when it comes to wedding expenditure.

Wedding Market

If you live outside of the big smoke, a wedding market can bring a hometown and more relaxed feel than a inner city wedding expo. Wedding markets are more likely to have some items for sale such as napkins, centrepieces or other styling options. Buying handmade and local is more important than ever and you’re sure to meet some amazing small business at your local wedding market.

Venue Tours

Don’t be afraid to request a venue tour! You’re sure to receive some one on one time with the venue coordinator and trust us, there’s no one more qualified to help with your wedding planning questions! They will have seen it all; what ideas work and what don’t. Remember to trust their experience – they only want the best possible outcome for your day.

Country Queensland Wedding for Justin & Ali

Posted on 2026-05-012026-05-01 by In the Booth

IN THE BOOTH MACKAY

Country Queensland Wedding for Justin & Ali

Justin and Ali’s wedding redefined what a true Queensland country wedding can be. Set against the rustic charm of the Glenden Rodeo Grounds, their celebration marked a milestone. Not only did they embrace a relaxed, authentic country style, but they also became the very first couple to ever host a wedding at this gorgeous country Queensland location. As a result, their day carried a sense of home that their guests aren’t likely to forget.

From the moment celebrations began, the atmosphere felt welcoming and undeniably Australian. Akubras met polished details, while wide-open spaces created a breathtaking backdrop. Furthermore, every choice reflected Justin and Ali’s vision. They leaned into a genuine Australian country theme, blending natural textures with simple, thoughtful styling. Because of this, the setting felt both effortless and super sweet.

A wedding more Aussie than The Castle

In addition, the Glenden Rodeo Grounds offered something truly special. Instead of a traditional venue, the couple chose a space rich in character and local spirit. Consequently, their wedding stood out as more than just a celebration. It became an experience that honoured Queensland’s rural charm – complete with cows!

Meanwhile, guests enjoyed the relaxed pace that defines a Queensland country wedding. Laughter carried across the grounds, and the open air invited everyone to unwind in the marquee. As the day unfolded, each moment felt connected to the the story Justin and Ali were beginning together.

GLENDEN RODEO GROUNDS

It’s almost impossible to pick a favourite image from Justin and Ali’s wedding gallery. The colours, the light and those flower girls – it was all breathtaking! How is it possible that Justin and Ali even seemed to coordinate their gorgeous auburn feature colour with the cattle!

It’s difficult to picture a better backdrop for Justin and Ali’s ceremony than the Glenden Rodeo Grounds cattle yards. Towering gums and their stunning arbour created the backdrop for hay bale seating and spring Australiana florals. The bridesmaid gowns in rust were nothing short of eye catching and seemed to carry through the warmth of the colour palette through to the sunset. Groomsmen in crisp blue jeans, grey jackets and Akubras finished off their theme like something out of a Queensland Country Wedding magazine!

Justin & Ali’s Wedding at Glenden Rodeo Grounds

As the sun started to go down, it only painted the landscape more beautifully. How perfect are the shots of Justin and Ali in the old ute? Their reception marquee was all pallet timber, expansive florals and rust features. In the Booth Mackay settled into the adjoining hay shed for the evening as the drinks and the instant prints started flowing!

Justin and Ali made the perfect choice of our Sparkler Love design which was paired with our Gold backdrop – one of our favourite combinations! The party vibe meant the Guest Cams kept snapping outside while the booth captured the traditional photo booth memories.

Thank you so much for choosing In the Booth Mackay, Justin and Ali! We feel truly privileged to have shared in your amazing wedding day. Ultimately, your wedding proved that with creativity and heart (and two beyond gorgeous flower girls!) any space can transform into something unforgettable. Therefore, Justin and Ali didn’t just host a wedding—they set the stage for many more to come.

ROAMING PHOTO BOOTH

Gorgeous Guest Cams

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Congratulations!

A note from the Bride…

Glenden Rodeo Grounds Wedding

“Our wedding day was uniquely ours because this was the first wedding that the Glenden Rodeo grounds has ever hosted. Our country rustic theme for the wedding complimented the rodeo grounds perfectly!”