A Full Booking is the complete record of a confirmed client: who they are, when and where the event is, which services they've booked, the total price, and how much advance they've paid. Brightdesk works out the balance due for you and keeps it updated as payments come in.
In this tutorial
Step 1: Start a full booking
On mobile, tap ＋ → New Booking → Full Booking. On desktop, click Book in Quick Actions on your dashboard → Full Booking, or Add New Booking on the Bookings page. You'll see the New Booking screen: Add client details and services.
Step 2: Add client information
Under Client Information, start typing in Client Name. If they've booked with you before, choose them from the list and their details fill in. Otherwise type a new name, then add their Client Phone (without country code), Client Email and how they found you.
Step 3: Add booking details
Under Booking Details:
- Booking Name: what you'll call it, for example Ananya's Wedding
- Booking Type: Wedding, Reception, Engagement and so on
- City
- Event Date and Event Time (both required)
Step 4: Add services
Under Services, tap Add and pick from your service catalog, or type a custom service. Change the Quantity or Price for this client if needed, for example Family Makeup × 4. Services Total updates as you go.
At least one service is required.
Step 5: Record the advance
Under Payment Information, enter the Advance Paid. Brightdesk shows the Total and calculates the Balance Due. The advance can't be more than the total.
Step 6: Notes and status
Under Additional Information you can add:
- Notes: anything you want to remember, for example "Bride prefers a soft glam look"
- Special Requirements: client requests, for example "Needs to be ready by 7 AM"
- Status: usually Upcoming
Tap Create Booking.
Step 7: Your booking page
You'll land on the booking's Overview tab. It shows the client, the payment summary (Total, Advance, Balance Due) and an Actions section, where you'll later send a contract and request a review.
How booking status works
- Upcoming: confirmed, event in the future
- In Progress: changes automatically when the event date (or the first session's date) arrives
- Completed: mark it yourself when the work is done. This unlocks Request Review.
- Cancelled: when a booking falls through, with an optional reason
Frequently asked questions
Can I add a booking for a past date? Yes, but set the status to In Progress or Completed. A past booking can't be marked as Upcoming.
The client wants a Wedding and a Reception. Do I create two bookings? No. Create one booking and add the second event as a session. See multiple events for one client.
For a smoother confirmation process, read booking confirmation best practices.
Next step
→ Add multiple events for one client (Wedding, Reception, Mehendi)