Per-event approval
Require review for selected event types instead of every service.
Appointment scheduling with manual approval
LunaCal manual booking approval keeps an appointment request pending until the host accepts it. Review requests from email or the Bookings page before the client receives a confirmation and calendar invite.
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The controls behind an approval-based booking flow
Keep self-service time selection while reserving the final decision for the host.
Pending requests
New requests remain pending until the host takes action.
Host email notification
Receive an email when a request needs a decision.
Approval from email
Approve or reject without first opening the bookings dashboard.
Bookings dashboard
Review pending appointments from the Bookings section.
Booking questions
Collect the details needed to assess the appointment.
Confirmation after approval
The guest receives the confirmation email and calendar invitation after acceptance.
Reminders after approval
Pending requests do not trigger appointment reminders.
Ask the questions needed to make the decision
LunaCal booking questions collect context before you review a request. Use specific fields for the details that determine whether the appointment is suitable.
- Open the event’s Booking Questions tab.
- Add a short answer, selection or other appropriate field.
- Make essential questions mandatory so the request includes the details you need.
What happens between request and confirmation
The client requests a time
The client completes the booking flow and sees that their request has been sent.
The request stays pending
LunaCal notifies the host and lists the request in Bookings. The appointment is awaiting a decision.
The host approves or rejects
Review the request from email or Bookings, then make the decision for that appointment.
Approval triggers confirmation
After acceptance, the guest receives confirmation and a calendar invite. Reminders are held until approval.
Use approval only where a human decision is needed
Manual approval is an event setting. Keep routine meetings instantly bookable while reviewing appointments that need preparation or screening.
Set up manual booking approval →A request that needs context
Ask about the proposed work before committing to a specialist consultation.
A session needing preparation
Collect the topic or requirements so the host can judge whether they can deliver the session.
A routine appointment
Leave approval disabled when a suitable available slot is enough to confirm the meeting.
Availability rules still determine which times clients see
Approval and availability answer different questions. Availability determines when someone can request a meeting; approval determines whether that request becomes confirmed.
- Set working hours and date exceptions for the event.
- Use a notice period to leave time before the proposed appointment.
- Add buffers for preparation and follow-up work.
Why manage booking approvals in LunaCal?
LunaCal connects the request form, host decision and confirmation sequence within the appointment workflow.
Review without rebuilding the booking flow
Clients select a time and answer booking questions in the same event flow. The host makes the final decision.
Choose the review point per service
An introductory call and a specialist appointment can follow different confirmation rules within the same account.
Keep messages aligned with the decision
Pending requests do not send the guest a calendar invitation or appointment reminders. Acceptance moves the booking into its confirmed communication flow.
LunaCal vs Calendly, Cal.com and Koalendar
Manual approval reviews a submitted request. Routing forms qualify visitors before directing them to a booking option; the two approaches serve different workflows.
| Capability | LunaCal | Calendly | Cal.com | Koalendar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review approach | Host approval | Routing forms | Host approval | Host approval |
| Custom booking questions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Paid plans |
| Required answers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Paid plans |
| Service-specific settings | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Working hours | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Calendar conflict checking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum booking notice | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Meeting buffers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Confirmation emails | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automated reminders | Yes | Standard+ | Yes | Paid plans |
| Online meeting links | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Website embedding | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Manual booking approval questions
How do I enable manual approval?
Open the event type, choose Edit, go to Advanced, enable Approve bookings manually and save. New requests for that event require your decision.
Where can I approve a request?
Use the request notification email or the Bookings section in LunaCal to approve or reject it.
Does the client receive a calendar invitation immediately?
No. The client receives the confirmation email and calendar invite after you approve the request.
Are reminders sent for pending requests?
No. Reminders are not sent until the booking is approved.
Can some services confirm automatically?
Yes. Approval is configured per event type, so you can enable it only for services that need review.
Can I ask questions before approving?
Yes. Add booking questions to collect the appointment details and make essential answers mandatory.