Enable and Customize SMS Messages
Vendion sends automatic SMS at key moments in the booking process. The same SMS flow handles all three booking types – table booking, event and resource.
SMS types:
| SMS | When sent | Table | Event | Resource |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmation | Immediately on booking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reminder | X hours before | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cancellation | When booking is cancelled | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waitlist | When a table becomes available | Yes | No | No |
| Feedback | After the visit | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Default content (table booking): "Hi {name}! Your booking at {restaurant} {date} at {time} for {party_size} guests is confirmed. Modify/cancel: {manage_link}"
Default content (event): "Hi {name}! Your booking for {event_name} at {restaurant} {date} at {time} for {party_size} guests is confirmed. Modify/cancel: {manage_link}"
Default content (resource): "Hi {name}! Your booking of {resource_name} at {restaurant} {date} {time}–{end_time} for {party_size} guests is confirmed. Modify/cancel: {manage_link}"
Enable and customize:
- Go to Booking → Settings → No-show & SMS
- Turn on Confirmation SMS and/or Reminder SMS
- Set how many hours before the booking the reminder should be sent (default: 3 hours)
- Write custom messages or use the default templates
Variables per booking type:
| Variable | Table | Event | Resource |
|---|---|---|---|
{name} | Yes | Yes | Yes |
{restaurant} | Yes | Yes | Yes |
{date} | Yes | Yes | Yes |
{time} | Yes | Yes (start) | Yes (start) |
{end_time} | No | Yes | Yes |
{party_size} | Yes | Yes | Yes |
{manage_link} | Yes | Yes | Yes |
{event_name} | — | Yes | — |
{resource_name} | — | — | Yes |
{price} | — | Yes (if set) | Yes (if set) |
Reminders for events and resources: Vendion sends reminders automatically based on your setting – whether for tables, events or resources. No extra configuration is needed for event or resource bookings – just enable Reminder SMS globally.
Cost: Reminder SMS are charged per message sent, per your price list (see vendion.com/pris).
Notifications to the restaurant for bookings (email): Want an email the moment a guest books, cancels or modifies a table booking online? On the same tab you can turn on Booking notifications – an email to the restaurant (not to the guest).
- Go to Booking → Settings → No-show & SMS
- Turn on Booking notifications
- Choose which events to email about: New booking, Cancellation and/or Modified booking
- Add one or more recipient addresses (e.g. owner and maître d'). Leave the list empty and the notification goes to the restaurant's administrators.
- Click Send test email to preview it
Notifications are sent only for guests' own online bookings – bookings that staff enter in the POS or admin are not emailed (you already see those). Unlike SMS, email notifications are free.
Tips:
- Reminder SMS dramatically reduces no-shows. We recommend always keeping it enabled.
- For events with high ticket prices – consider a 24-hour reminder instead of 3 hours.
- For resource bookings where equipment needs preparation (bowling, karaoke) – a 1-hour reminder usually works well.
This feature is part of Vendion Booking.
Curious how it looks in practice? Read more about the product or book a short demo.
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