Messaging

Overview

DreamPlan’s messaging system connects planners and vendors through a unified inbox. Every conversation is tied to a specific event + vendor pair, so messages stay organised and easy to find. Whether a message originates on the platform or via email, it lands in the same thread for both parties.

Planners send enquiries from the vendor directory or from an event’s vendor list. Vendors receive those enquiries in their inbox and reply directly. Every exchange is tracked, timestamped, and labelled with the channel it arrived through.

How Messaging Works

Conversation Threads

Each thread is linked to one event and one vendor. If a planner is working on two separate events and contacts the same vendor for both, those are two distinct threads. This keeps pricing discussions, timelines, and attachments scoped to the right event.

Channel Badges

Every message is tagged with a channel badge so you know how it was sent:

These badges appear next to each message in the thread view.

Sending an Enquiry (Planner Side)

1. Open your event in the Planner Portal at portal.dreamplan.sagargandecha.dev.
2. Navigate to Vendors from the event sidebar, or browse the vendor directory at /vendors.
3. Find the vendor you want to contact and open their profile.
4. Click Send Enquiry.
5. Select which event the enquiry is for (if you have multiple events).
6. Fill in your message — include your event date, guest count, and any specific requirements.
7. Click Send. The vendor receives your enquiry instantly on the platform and via email notification.

Your sent enquiry appears in your event’s Messages tab at /events/[id]/messages.

Planner Inbox

The planner inbox lives inside each event. To view your messages:

1. Open the event from your dashboard.
2. Click Messages in the event sidebar.
3. You will see a list of all vendor conversations for that event.
4. Click any conversation to view the full thread and send a reply.

Messages are sorted with the most recent activity at the top. Unread messages are highlighted so you can spot new responses quickly.

Email Forwarding via Mailgun

DreamPlan assigns a dedicated event email address to every event. This address is powered by Mailgun and works as a bridge between regular email and the platform.

How It Works

1. When an event is created, DreamPlan generates a unique email address for it.
2. Any email sent to that address is automatically forwarded into the correct conversation thread on the platform.
3. Replies sent from the platform are delivered to the vendor’s regular email inbox.
4. The vendor can reply by email, and that reply appears back in the platform thread.

This means vendors do not need a DreamPlan account to communicate — though having one gives them access to the full inbox experience.

Benefits of Email Forwarding

• Vendors who prefer email can stay in their existing workflow.
• Every email is captured in the platform for record-keeping.
• Planners see all communication in one place, regardless of channel.
• No messages are lost between personal inboxes and the platform.

Vendor Inbox

The vendor inbox is a three-panel layout accessible at vendor.dreamplan.sagargandecha.dev/inbox. For the full vendor inbox guide, see the Vendor Inbox documentation.

Using the Vendor Inbox

1. Log in to the Vendor Portal at vendor.dreamplan.sagargandecha.dev.
2. Click Inbox in the main navigation.
3. Select a conversation from the left panel.
4. Read the message history in the middle panel. The right panel shows event context.
5. Type your reply at the bottom of the middle panel and click Send.

Channel Badges in the Vendor Inbox

Each conversation in the vendor inbox displays a channel badge:

• Email — The enquiry or message arrived via email forwarding.
• Platform — The enquiry was sent directly through DreamPlan.

This helps vendors understand how the planner is communicating and respond through the appropriate channel.

Real-Time Polling

DreamPlan checks for new messages automatically using a 15-second polling interval. This means:

• New messages appear in your inbox within 15 seconds of being sent.
• You do not need to refresh the page manually.
• The unread count in the navigation updates automatically.

Tip: If you are waiting for an urgent reply, you can refresh the page to trigger an immediate check.

Notification Settings

You can control how and when you receive message notifications from Settings > Notifications:

You can also choose your email digest frequency: Instant, Daily, or Weekly.

To update your notification settings:

1. Navigate to Settings in your portal.
2. Click Notifications.
3. Toggle each notification type on or off.
4. Select your preferred email digest frequency.
5. Click Save.

Best Practices

• Be specific in your first message — include your event date, type, guest count, and what services you need. Vendors say this is the most important information for providing an accurate quote.
• Reply promptly — quick responses keep the planning process moving and build trust with your vendors.
• Use the platform for messages rather than switching to personal email. This keeps your full communication history in one place, which is invaluable when comparing vendors later.
• Check your inbox regularly — both planners and vendors should review messages at least once a day during active planning periods.
• Keep threads focused — since each thread is tied to one event and one vendor, all communication about that event stays together naturally.

Tips

Tip: Include your event date and guest count in your first enquiry — vendors say this is the most important information for providing an accurate quote.

Tip: Use the platform to send messages rather than switching to personal email. This keeps your full communication history in one place, which is invaluable when comparing vendors later.

Tip: Vendors should aim to respond within 24 hours. DreamPlan tracks response times and displays an SLA badge on your profile to build trust with planners.

Tip: If you are a vendor and prefer email, you can reply directly to notification emails. Your response will appear in the platform thread automatically.

Tip: Keep the messages page open while waiting for a response. The 15-second refresh means you will see new messages almost immediately.

FAQ

Can I message a vendor before booking them? Yes. The enquiry system is designed for pre-booking communication. You do not need to book or shortlist a vendor before sending them a message.

Do vendors need a DreamPlan account to receive messages? Vendors receive email notifications for every message. They can reply by email without logging in. However, having an account gives them access to the full three-panel inbox, enquiry context, and the ability to send quotes directly.

Can I attach files to messages? File attachments are not currently supported in the messaging system. To share documents, use the Documents section within your event.

Why do some messages show an “Email” badge? The Email badge means that message was sent or received via email forwarding rather than directly on the platform. Both types appear in the same thread.

How do I know if my message was read? Read receipts are not currently available. If you have not received a response, you can send a follow-up message in the same thread.

Can I delete a message? Messages cannot be deleted once sent. This ensures both parties have a complete record of all communication.

What happens to messages if I delete an event? Messages are tied to the event. If you delete an event, the associated message threads are no longer accessible from your side. Vendors retain their copy in their inbox.

Is there a character limit on messages? There is no strict character limit, but keeping messages concise and focused leads to faster responses.

How often does the inbox check for new messages? The inbox polls for new messages every 15 seconds. You do not need to refresh the page manually.

Can I search my messages? Messages are organised by event and vendor. Navigate to the relevant event’s Messages tab to find the conversation you are looking for.