When you create an event, one of the first decisions you'll make is choosing the template that best matches your fundraising strategy. If your event uses table hosts, that decision usually comes down to two options: Vision Dinner or a bundle event (Free Registration or Paid Registration).

Both Vision Dinner and bundle events allow hosts to invite guests, but they're designed for two fundamentally different event models:

• Vision Dinner begins with people — hosts invite guests, and guest groups grow naturally as RSVPs are received.

• Bundle events begin with seats — tables or seats are reserved first, and those reserved seats are then filled with attendees.

Choosing the template that matches your event structure will give your staff, hosts, and attendees the smoothest experience.

A quick note on terminology

"Bundle" is shorthand we use for Free Registration and Paid Registration events, because in both, seats are sold or reserved in a fixed block — the bundle — rather than growing one guest at a time. It's not a template you'll find in your event settings; it just means "Free or Paid Registration."

One more thing worth flagging: the word "host" means something different depending on which event type you're running. In a Vision Dinner, a host is a person who's been given permission to recruit guests. In a bundle event, a "host" is just whoever bought or reserved the table — there's no separate recruiting role. Same word, two different jobs.

Choose Vision Dinner if...

A Vision Dinner is designed for relationship-driven fundraising events where the primary goal is growing attendance through personal invitations—not reserved tables.

Choose this template if:

• Hosts invite guests without reserving/purchasing a specific table.

• You don't know in advance how many guests each host will bring.

• Hosts keep recruiting guests right up until the event, and guest counts change as RSVPs come in.

• Staff members assign or approve hosts (optional: this can also be automated).

• Guests should be able to select the host who invited them during registration (optional: you can pick whether to enable a “Select Host Name” dropdown on your public flow).

• You want administrators to be able to promote guests to hosts or demote hosts back to guests as plans evolve.

How Hosting Works in a Vision Dinner Event

In a Vision Dinner, hosts are not tied to a reserved table or a fixed number of seats.

Instead, each host has a guest group that grows naturally as guests RSVP or are added by the host or an administrator. Guests associated with the same host remain grouped together for seating and reporting, but the group is not predetermined and does not reserve event capacity until registrations are submitted.

This flexible model allows hosts to continue inviting guests without worrying about predefined seat limits. Nothing is reserved against your event's capacity until a registration is actually finalized — so hosting stays flexible for as long as you need it to.

Only available on Vision Dinner: Promote to Host, Demote Host, and Select Host. These exist because Vision Dinner hosting isn't tied to a fixed reservation — on a bundle event, promoting or demoting a host wouldn't make sense, since the "host" role is really just seat ownership.

Choose Bundle Registration (Free Registration Event, Paid Registration Event) if...

A Table Reservation event is designed for reserved seating where specific seats belong to the primary registrant.

Choose one of these templates if:

• Individuals or organizations reserve or purchase tables, sponsorship packages, or seat blocks.

• Each reservation includes a predetermined number of seats.

• You need to track ticket ownership and reserved seating.

• Hosts distribute registrations from their reserved/purchased reservation.

How Hosting Works in a Bundle Registration Event

In a Bundle Registration event, hosting is tied directly to the reservation or purchase itself. The moment a reservation is completed, all of its seats are counted against your event's capacity — even before you've entered a single attendee's name. Each reservation is a fixed block: a host can fill their seats, but can't add guests beyond what they reserved. That's what keeps your seating chart, ownership records, and capacity numbers accurate.

Free Registration and Paid Registration work the same way for hosting purposes — the only difference is whether a payment is collected at the time of reservation.

Why Are Some Features Only Available in Vision Dinner?

Some organizations ask whether features like Promote to Host, Demote Host, or Select Host can also be used with Bundle Registration events.

These features are intentionally designed for the flexible, relationship-based structure of Vision Dinner events.

In other events, hosts are connected to a fixed number of seats. Allowing hosts to be freely promoted, demoted, or reassigned would break the connection between fixed reservations, seat ownership, event capacity, and reporting.

Instead, Table Reservation events include management tools designed specifically for reserved seating, such as guest reassignment and registration management, while preserving the integrity of each reservation.

Feature Comparison

Which Template Should I Choose?

Ask yourself one simple question: Does my event begin with people or with seats?

• Choose Vision Dinner if people invite guests first, and guest groups form naturally as registrations are received.

• Choose Bundle Registration (Free Registration Event, Paid Registration Event) if tables or seats are reserved first, and attendees are added later to fill those reserved seats.

In short:

• Vision Dinner is built around relationships.

• Bundle Reservation (Free Registration Event, Paid Registration Event) is built around reservations.

Selecting the template that matches your fundraising model from the beginning will provide the best registration experience for your hosts, guests, and event administrators.

Still Not Sure?

Some events don't fit neatly into either description — for example, a host who buys a table but also gets to invite a few extra guests beyond it. If that sounds like you, reach out to support@fundeasy.com with a quick description of how your hosts actually work, and we'll help you pick (or adjust) the right template.