# Completing a booking or handling a no-show

> Mark a photography booking as complete in CoreHue once the session is done, reopen one closed too early, and record a client no-show the right way.

Source: https://help.corehue.co/docs/managing-bookings/completing-bookings-and-no-shows/

Once a session has happened, marking it complete moves it out of your active list and stops reminders and follow-ups. It's also how you close the loop when a client doesn't turn up.

## Marking a booking as complete

1. Open the booking.
2. Choose **Mark as complete** from the three-dot menu.
3. Read any warnings in the dialog, then click **Mark as complete**.

**Mark as complete** is only offered on a confirmed booking. Completing it "closes the booking and stops reminders and follow-ups", and payments, documents and calendar history aren't affected. The booking stays on your calendar, since the session did happen.

Before you confirm, the dialog flags anything still open, such as:

- The booking still has an upcoming date
- A scheduled date is still in progress
- There's an outstanding balance
- A payment proof is waiting for your review
- A contract is waiting for a signature, or for your countersignature
- A questionnaire hasn't been answered

None of these stop you completing it. They're a last check so nothing slips through. An unpaid invoice stays open and keeps its own reminders, so completing a booking never lets a balance quietly disappear.

## Reopening a booking you completed too early

1. Open the completed booking.
2. Choose **Reopen booking** from the three-dot menu.
3. Give a **Reason**. It's required.
4. Turn on **Restart reminders for upcoming dates** if the session is still ahead.
5. Click **Reopen booking**.

The booking moves back to active work as if you'd never closed it.

## When a client doesn't turn up

There's no no-show button or status in CoreHue, so here's the cleanest way to handle one.

### First, check they were told

Open the booking and choose **Email history** from the three-dot menu. If the confirmation or reminder wasn't delivered, your client may never have known the details. Better to know that before you assume anything. See [My client didn't get my email](/docs/messages/when-an-email-doesnt-arrive).

### Write down what happened

Bookings don't have a notes field, so use the contact. Open your client's page, go to the **Overview** tab, and add a note under **Contact notes**. Only you can see it. Write the date, how you tried to reach them, and what you agreed afterwards. If a deposit is ever disputed, this is the note you'll want.

### Sort out the money

CoreHue doesn't charge or refund anything automatically here. Your cancellation policy decides what happens:

- **A deposit already paid** is usually kept, if your policy says so.
- **An unpaid balance** is a judgment call. Many photographers keep the deposit and let the rest go. You can write off what's left on the invoice. See [Editing, cancelling or writing off an invoice](/docs/invoices/editing-cancelling-and-writing-off).
- **If the mix-up was on your side**, refund promptly. See [Refunding a payment](/docs/payments/refunding-a-payment).

### Then close the booking

| Booking was… | Do this |
| --- | --- |
| Confirmed | **Mark as complete** |
| Still pending (waiting on payment or a signature) | **Cancel booking**, leaving **Notify contact by email** off unless you want them emailed. See [Cancelling a booking](/docs/managing-bookings/cancelling-a-booking) |
| Expired on its own | Nothing to do. It's already closed |

## Fewer no-shows next time

- **Turn on booking reminders.** Most no-shows are forgetfulness. Reminders the day before and on the day make a real difference. See [Setting up automatic reminders](/docs/account/automatic-reminders) (Plus and Pro).
- **Take a deposit.** People turn up to things they've paid for. See [Pricing, deposits and payment deadlines](/docs/online-booking/pricing-and-deposits).
- **Send the booking page.** It has the date, place and any meeting link in one spot, so your client isn't hunting through emails on the morning of the shoot.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does marking a booking complete close its invoice?

No. Invoices are separate. An unpaid invoice stays open, and invoice reminders keep working if you have them on.

### Can I complete a booking before the session date?

Yes, but the dialog warns you that the booking still has an upcoming date. If you did it by mistake, use **Reopen booking**.

### Why can't I see Mark as complete?

**Mark as complete** only appears on confirmed bookings. A pending booking needs to be confirmed or cancelled instead.

### Is there a way to mark a booking as a no-show?

Not as its own status. Record what happened in the contact's notes, then complete or cancel the booking as described above.