Guide
Mother's Day and Valentine's Day bookings
Two of the busiest days of the year, and both tend to book up weeks ahead. People want a table for two on Valentine's and a table for six on Mothering Sunday. Get them set up early and you stop turning people away at the door.
Watch: Mother's Day and Valentine's Day Bookings
Set up your busiest days as events with a set menu, deposit and capacity. 66 sec
Read the transcript
Mother's Day and Valentine's Day book up weeks ahead. Here's how to set each one up as an event in Tablez, so you stop turning people away. Events, set menus and deposits are on the Pro plan. Open Events and menus and press Add a set menu. Give it a name and a price a head, then type the courses, one line each. Now press Add an event. Name it something like Mothering Sunday lunch, then pick the date, the times, the capacity and a price a head. To take a deposit, fill in Deposit a head. You need Deposits set up first, with your own Stripe account. If the special menu takes the whole place, tick Close normal table bookings for this date and time. If you still take ordinary tables, leave it unticked. Tick Show on the booking page, press Save event, then share your booking link on social media. Open bookings several weeks ahead. That's your special day ready before the calls start. Start free at tablez.co.uk.
Make each day an event
Go to Events and menus and press Add an event. Give it a name like "Mothering Sunday lunch", pick the Date, the Times, the Capacity (covers) and a Price a head. Add a short Description so people know what they are getting. Tick Show on the booking page.
Use a set menu and a deposit
A set menu keeps the kitchen simple. Add one under Add a set menu, then choose it in Set menu for pre-orders on the event. For a deposit, fill in Deposit a head on the event. This needs Deposits set up with your own Stripe account first.
Whole venue or shared with normal tables?
If the special menu is the only thing you serve that day, tick Close normal table bookings for this date and time. If you also take ordinary bookings, leave it unticked and the event runs alongside them.
Valentine's tables for two
Most bookings will be couples. Check your Tables page has enough 2 seaters, and remember the booking system picks the smallest table that fits. If you want to stop big groups taking your tables, lower Largest party online and ask groups to ring.
Step by step
- Add the set menu. Go to Events and menus, press Add a set menu, and enter the name, price and courses.
- Add the event. Press Add an event and fill in the name, date, times, capacity and price a head.
- Add a deposit. Fill in Deposit a head on the event. Deposits must be set up first.
- Choose how it runs. Tick Close normal table bookings for this date and time if the event takes the whole venue.
- Show it. Tick Show on the booking page and press Save event.
- Share the link. Post your booking link on social media and put a QR poster by the bar.
Watch it and read more
Prefer to watch? The matching video is on the video guides page. More reading: events and set menus and gift vouchers. See the plans and prices if you are not sure which plan you need.
FAQ
Common questions
How early should I open bookings?
Several weeks ahead is a good habit for both days. Mothering Sunday lunches in particular get booked early.
Do I need Pro?
Events, set menus and deposits are on Pro. Without Pro you can still use the Welcome text on your booking page and take ordinary table bookings.
Can I sell gift vouchers for these days?
Yes, on Pro. Vouchers are paid into your own Stripe or PayPal. See the gift vouchers guide.
What if I am fully booked?
Turn on the waitlist under Booking rules (Standard and above). If someone cancels, everyone waiting gets an email with a link to book.