How To Create A WordPress Event Registration Form Without a Plugin

Table of Contents

Need a registration form for your next workshop or seminar? You don’t always need premium plugins like Event Espresso or WPForms to build effective event signup solutions.

Creating a WordPress event registration form without a plugin is surprisingly straightforward using built-in WordPress features and a bit of custom code. This approach gives you:

Complete control over your form design elements
Zero added costs beyond your WordPress hosting
Faster site loading without extra plugin weight
Simplified attendee data collection

By the end of this guide, you’ll learn how to build a custom registration form with confirmation emails, payment integration, and mobile-friendly registration – all without installing additional software.

We’ll cover setting up the form structure, adding custom registration fields, implementing form validation, and connecting to your event calendar functionality.

Understanding the Components of an Event Registration Form

Essential Form Fields

The foundation of any WordPress event registration form starts with properly structured attendee data collection. Unlike using plugins like Gravity Forms or Event Espresso, building your own system requires careful planning.

Core attendee fields include:

Name (first/last separation for database organization)
Email address (for registration confirmation emails)
Phone number (optional but useful for last-minute changes)
Event selection (if offering multiple workshops or seminars)

Adding ticket type selectors creates flexibility for different pricing tiers. Your form can accommodate everything from basic RSVP functionality to complex multi-event registration options.

Form field customization should align with your specific event needs. A webinar registration might require fewer fields than an in-person conference registration that needs meal preferences and accommodation details.

Form Validation Requirements

Form validation protects your database integrity. Without a plugin handling this automatically, you’ll need custom validation:

Required field checks prevent incomplete submissions
Email format validation ensures deliverable confirmation messages
Number/date validation maintains data consistency
Custom error messaging improves user experience

JavaScript handles client-side validation while PHP manages server-side security checks. This dual approach matches the validation quality of premium WordPress form submission plugins.

Data Storage Considerations

When building without the Events Manager plugin, you need a storage strategy. WordPress offers two main approaches:

Custom post types – Easier to implement, leveraging WordPress’s existing structure
Custom database tables – More efficient for high-volume events

Data security demands proper sanitization before storage. Follow GDPR compliance standards when collecting personal information, especially for international events requiring form translation capabilities.

Setting Up the Basic Form Structure

Creating a Custom Page Template

Start by adding a template file to your theme:

<?php
/*
Template Name: Event Registration
*/
get_header();
?>

<div class="event-registration-container">
    <!-- Form will go here -->
</div>

<?php get_footer(); ?>

This template works with most themes including Avada Theme and Divi Builder. After saving, you’ll see it available in the WordPress page template selector.

Building the HTML Form

Your form HTML needs proper structure for both functionality and accessibility:

<form id="event-registration" method="post" action="<?php echo esc_url( admin_url('admin-post.php') ); ?>">
    <input type="hidden" name="action" value="process_event_registration">
    <?php wp_nonce_field( 'event_registration_nonce' ); ?>

    <fieldset>
        <legend>Personal Information</legend>

        <div class="form-row">
            <label for="attendee_name">Full Name *</label>
            <input type="text" id="attendee_name" name="attendee_name" required>
        </div>

        <div class="form-row">
            <label for="attendee_email">Email Address *</label>
            <input type="email" id="attendee_email" name="attendee_email" required>
        </div>
    </fieldset>

    <!-- More field sections here -->

    <button type="submit">Register Now</button>
</form>

This structure creates the foundation for mobile-friendly registration that works across devices without responsive design plugins.

Styling Your Form with CSS

Basic styling makes your form both attractive and usable:

.event-registration-container {
    max-width: 800px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    padding: 20px;
}

#event-registration fieldset {
    border: 1px solid #ddd;
    padding: 15px;
    margin-bottom: 20px;
    border-radius: 4px;
}

.form-row {
    margin-bottom: 15px;
}

.form-row label {
    display: block;
    margin-bottom: 5px;
    font-weight: bold;
}

.form-row input,
.form-row select,
.form-row textarea {
    width: 100%;
    padding: 8px;
    border: 1px solid #ccc;
    border-radius: 4px;
}

button[type="submit"] {
    background-color: #0073aa;
    color: white;
    padding: 10px 15px;
    border: none;
    border-radius: 4px;
    cursor: pointer;
}

/* Mobile responsiveness */
@media (max-width: 600px) {
    fieldset {
        padding: 10px;
    }
}

These styles adapt to screen sizes, ensuring good form design elements on both desktop and mobile devices. The clean layout improves completion rates compared to cluttered designs.

For a seamless look, adjust colors to match your WordPress theme. Form customization goes beyond functionality – visual consistency builds trust during the registration process.

Adding Form Processing Functionality

Creating the Form Handler

Without the Amelia booking plugin or similar plugins, you’ll need to build your own form processing system. Start by creating a function that hooks into WordPress:

// Add to functions.php or a custom plugin file
add_action('admin_post_process_event_registration', 'handle_registration_submission');
add_action('admin_post_nopriv_process_event_registration', 'handle_registration_submission');

function handle_registration_submission() {
    // Verify nonce for security
    if (!isset($_POST['_wpnonce']) || !wp_verify_nonce($_POST['_wpnonce'], 'event_registration_nonce')) {
        wp_die('Security check failed. Please try again.');
    }

    // Process form data
    $attendee_name = isset($_POST['attendee_name']) ? sanitize_text_field($_POST['attendee_name']) : '';
    $attendee_email = isset($_POST['attendee_email']) ? sanitize_email($_POST['attendee_email']) : '';

    // More processing here...

    // Redirect after processing
    wp_redirect(add_query_arg('registration', 'success', wp_get_referer()));
    exit;
}

This function captures form submissions and processes them securely without relying on form builder plugins like Formidable Forms or WPForms.

Server-Side Validation

Form validation ensures data quality. Without Gravity Forms handling this automatically, implement your own checks:

// Validate required fields
$errors = array();

if (empty($attendee_name)) {
    $errors[] = 'Name is required';
}

if (empty($attendee_email)) {
    $errors[] = 'Email is required';
} elseif (!is_email($attendee_email)) {
    $errors[] = 'Email format is invalid';
}

// Check event capacity
$event_id = isset($_POST['event_id']) ? intval($_POST['event_id']) : 0;
$current_count = get_post_meta($event_id, 'registered_attendees_count', true) ?: 0;
$max_capacity = get_post_meta($event_id, 'event_capacity', true) ?: 100;

if ($current_count >= $max_capacity) {
    $errors[] = 'This event has reached capacity. Please join our waitlist.';
}

// If errors exist, store them and redirect back
if (!empty($errors)) {
    set_transient('registration_errors_' . md5($_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR']), $errors, 60 * 5);
    wp_redirect(add_query_arg('registration', 'error', wp_get_referer()));
    exit;
}

This validation system creates the same reliability as Modern Events Calendar without the plugin overhead.

Storing Registration Data

You need a reliable database strategy. Using custom post types provides flexibility:

// Register custom post type for event registrations
function register_event_registration_post_type() {
    register_post_type('event_registration', array(
        'labels' => array(
            'name' => 'Registrations',
            'singular_name' => 'Registration'
        ),
        'public' => false,
        'show_ui' => true,
        'capability_type' => 'post',
        'capabilities' => array(
            'create_posts' => false,
        ),
        'map_meta_cap' => true,
        'supports' => array('title'),
        'menu_icon' => 'dashicons-calendar-alt'
    ));
}
add_action('init', 'register_event_registration_post_type');

// Store registration data
function store_registration_data($attendee_data, $event_id) {
    $registration_id = wp_insert_post(array(
        'post_title' => $attendee_data['name'] . ' - ' . date('Y-m-d H:i:s'),
        'post_type' => 'event_registration',
        'post_status' => 'publish'
    ));

    if ($registration_id) {
        // Store attendee details as post meta
        foreach ($attendee_data as $key => $value) {
            update_post_meta($registration_id, 'attendee_' . $key, $value);
        }

        // Link to the event
        update_post_meta($registration_id, 'event_id', $event_id);

        // Update event count
        $current_count = get_post_meta($event_id, 'registered_attendees_count', true) ?: 0;
        update_post_meta($event_id, 'registered_attendees_count', $current_count + 1);

        return $registration_id;
    }

    return false;
}

This approach creates efficient attendee information management without The Events Calendar or similar plugins.

Improving the User Experience

Adding Date and Time Pickers

Date selection improves with custom JavaScript tools:

<div class="form-row">
    <label for="arrival_date">Arrival Date</label>
    <input type="date" id="arrival_date" name="arrival_date" min="<?php echo date('Y-m-d'); ?>">
</div>

For more advanced needs, add a lightweight JavaScript date picker:

document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
    // Basic date validation
    const dateInputs = document.querySelectorAll('input[type="date"]');

    dateInputs.forEach(input => {
        input.addEventListener('change', function() {
            const selectedDate = new Date(this.value);
            const today = new Date();

            if (selectedDate < today) {
                alert('Please select a future date');
                this.value = '';
            }
        });
    });
});

This creates a solid foundation for event date management without relying on Event Registration Pro plugins.

Implementing Dynamic Form Fields

Conditional logic forms enhance user experience. Here’s how to show/hide fields based on selections:

document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
    const ticketSelect = document.getElementById('ticket_type');
    const workshopSection = document.getElementById('workshop_options');

    // Initial check
    toggleWorkshopVisibility();

    // Change event
    ticketSelect.addEventListener('change', toggleWorkshopVisibility);

    function toggleWorkshopVisibility() {
        if (ticketSelect.value === 'premium') {
            workshopSection.style.display = 'block';
        } else {
            workshopSection.style.display = 'none';
        }
    }

    // Dynamic pricing calculation
    const quantityInput = document.getElementById('ticket_quantity');
    const priceDisplay = document.getElementById('total_price');
    const basePrice = {
        'standard': 50,
        'premium': 100
    };

    function updatePrice() {
        const ticketType = ticketSelect.value;
        const quantity = parseInt(quantityInput.value) || 1;
        const total = basePrice[ticketType] * quantity;

        priceDisplay.textContent = '$' + total;
    }

    ticketSelect.addEventListener('change', updatePrice);
    quantityInput.addEventListener('input', updatePrice);

    // Initialize price
    updatePrice();
});

This code creates dynamic pricing and conditional options without booking plugins.

Form Submission Feedback

Providing clear feedback improves conversion rates:

// At the top of your template file
$registration_status = isset($_GET['registration']) ? $_GET['registration'] : '';
$error_messages = get_transient('registration_errors_' . md5($_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR']));

if ($registration_status === 'success') {
    echo '<div class="registration-success">Thank you for registering! A confirmation email has been sent to your inbox.</div>';
} elseif ($registration_status === 'error' && !empty($error_messages)) {
    echo '<div class="registration-errors"><ul>';
    foreach ($error_messages as $error) {
        echo '<li>' . esc_html($error) . '</li>';
    }
    echo '</ul></div>';
    delete_transient('registration_errors_' . md5($_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR']));
}

Add some CSS for better visual feedback:

.registration-success {
    background-color: #dff0d8;
    color: #3c763d;
    padding: 15px;
    border-radius: 4px;
    margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.registration-errors {
    background-color: #f2dede;
    color: #a94442;
    padding: 15px;
    border-radius: 4px;
    margin-bottom: 20px;
}

This creates professional-looking form feedback without Ninja Forms or similar tools.

Setting Up Email Notifications

After registration, send confirmation emails using WordPress’s mail function:

function send_registration_confirmation($attendee_data, $event_data) {
    $to = $attendee_data['email'];
    $subject = 'Your registration for ' . $event_data['title'] . ' is confirmed!';

    $message = '<h3>Registration Confirmation</h3>';
    $message .= '<p>Dear ' . $attendee_data['name'] . ',</p>';
    $message .= '<p>Thank you for registering for ' . $event_data['title'] . '.</p>';
    $message .= '<p><strong>Event Details:</strong><br>';
    $message .= 'Date: ' . $event_data['date'] . '<br>';
    $message .= 'Time: ' . $event_data['time'] . '<br>';
    $message .= 'Location: ' . $event_data['location'] . '</p>';
    $message .= '<p>If you have any questions, please contact us.</p>';

    $headers = array('Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8');

    return wp_mail($to, $subject, $message, $headers);
}

This creates professional registration confirmation emails without EventBrite integration or paid plugins.

For more advanced notifications, consider adding an .ics calendar file attachment:

function generate_ics_file($event_data) {
    $ics_content = "BEGIN:VCALENDAR\n";
    $ics_content .= "VERSION:2.0\n";
    $ics_content .= "PRODID:-//My Organization//NONSGML Event Calendar//EN\n";
    $ics_content .= "BEGIN:VEVENT\n";
    $ics_content .= "UID:" . md5($event_data['id']) . "\n";
    $ics_content .= "DTSTAMP:" . date('Ymd\THis\Z') . "\n";
    $ics_content .= "DTSTART:" . date('Ymd\THis\Z', strtotime($event_data['date'] . ' ' . $event_data['time'])) . "\n";
    $ics_content .= "SUMMARY:" . $event_data['title'] . "\n";
    $ics_content .= "LOCATION:" . $event_data['location'] . "\n";
    $ics_content .= "END:VEVENT\n";
    $ics_content .= "END:VCALENDAR";

    return $ics_content;
}

These functions create a professional event registration system that rivals paid solutions like Event Tickets Plus without the recurring costs.

Setting Up Confirmation and Notification Systems

Creating Attendee Confirmation Emails

Email notifications are crucial for professional event management without relying on EventBrite integration. WordPress’s native wp_mail() function provides everything needed:

function send_detailed_confirmation_email($registration_id) {
    // Get registration data
    $attendee_name = get_post_meta($registration_id, 'attendee_name', true);
    $attendee_email = get_post_meta($registration_id, 'attendee_email', true);
    $event_id = get_post_meta($registration_id, 'event_id', true);

    // Get event details
    $event_title = get_the_title($event_id);
    $event_date = get_post_meta($event_id, 'event_date', true);
    $event_time = get_post_meta($event_id, 'event_time', true);
    $event_location = get_post_meta($event_id, 'event_location', true);

    // Create confirmation number
    $confirmation_number = strtoupper(substr(md5($registration_id), 0, 8));

    // Email content
    $subject = "Your registration for $event_title is confirmed! (#$confirmation_number)";

    $message = "<html><body>";
    $message .= "<h3>Registration Confirmed</h3>";
    $message .= "<p>Hello $attendee_name,</p>";
    $message .= "<p>Thank you for registering for <strong>$event_title</strong>.</p>";
    $message .= "<p><strong>Confirmation #:</strong> $confirmation_number</p>";
    $message .= "<h3>Event Details:</h3>";
    $message .= "<p>Date: $event_date<br>";
    $message .= "Time: $event_time<br>";
    $message .= "Location: $event_location</p>";

    // Add any ticket information
    $ticket_type = get_post_meta($registration_id, 'attendee_ticket_type', true);
    if ($ticket_type) {
        $message .= "<h3>Ticket Information:</h3>";
        $message .= "<p>Type: $ticket_type</p>";
    }

    // Add calendar attachment info
    $message .= "<p>Add this event to your calendar: <a href='" . site_url("/calendar-download/?id=$registration_id") . "'>Download .ICS file</a></p>";

    $message .= "<p>If you have any questions, please contact us.</p>";
    $message .= "</body></html>";

    // Headers
    $headers = array(
        'Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8',
        'From: ' . get_bloginfo('name') . ' <' . get_bloginfo('admin_email') . '>'
    );

    // Send email
    return wp_mail($attendee_email, $subject, $message, $headers);
}

This function creates registration confirmation emails with personalized details. For multiple ticket types, add conditional content based on the registration type.

Creating Calendar Invites

Help attendees remember your events by adding .ics calendar files:

// Add a rewrite rule for calendar downloads
function add_calendar_endpoint() {
    add_rewrite_rule('^calendar-download/?$', 'index.php?calendar_download=1', 'top');
}
add_action('init', 'add_calendar_endpoint');

// Register the query var
function register_calendar_query_var($vars) {
    $vars[] = 'calendar_download';
    return $vars;
}
add_filter('query_vars', 'register_calendar_query_var');

// Handle the calendar download request
function handle_calendar_download() {
    if (intval(get_query_var('calendar_download')) === 1 && isset($_GET['id'])) {
        $registration_id = intval($_GET['id']);

        // Get event details
        $event_id = get_post_meta($registration_id, 'event_id', true);
        $event_title = get_the_title($event_id);
        $event_date = get_post_meta($event_id, 'event_date', true);
        $event_time = get_post_meta($event_id, 'event_time', true);
        $event_location = get_post_meta($event_id, 'event_location', true);
        $event_description = get_post_meta($event_id, 'event_description', true);

        // Format date and time for iCalendar
        $start_timestamp = strtotime("$event_date $event_time");
        $end_timestamp = $start_timestamp + (2 * 3600); // Default 2 hour event

        $start_date = date('Ymd\THis\Z', $start_timestamp);
        $end_date = date('Ymd\THis\Z', $end_timestamp);
        $now = date('Ymd\THis\Z');

        // Create iCalendar content
        $ics = "BEGIN:VCALENDAR\r\n";
        $ics .= "VERSION:2.0\r\n";
        $ics .= "PRODID:-//".get_bloginfo('name')."//NONSGML Event Calendar//EN\r\n";
        $ics .= "METHOD:PUBLISH\r\n";
        $ics .= "BEGIN:VEVENT\r\n";
        $ics .= "UID:".md5($registration_id)."\r\n";
        $ics .= "DTSTAMP:$now\r\n";
        $ics .= "DTSTART:$start_date\r\n";
        $ics .= "DTEND:$end_date\r\n";
        $ics .= "SUMMARY:$event_title\r\n";
        $ics .= "LOCATION:$event_location\r\n";

        if ($event_description) {
            $ics .= "DESCRIPTION:".preg_replace('/([\,;])/','\\\$1', $event_description)."\r\n";
        }

        $ics .= "END:VEVENT\r\n";
        $ics .= "END:VCALENDAR\r\n";

        // Set headers and output
        header('Content-Type: text/calendar; charset=utf-8');
        header('Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="event-'.$registration_id.'.ics"');
        echo $ics;
        exit;
    }
}
add_action('template_redirect', 'handle_calendar_download');

This functionality helps attendees add your event to their Google Calendar or other calendar applications with a single click. It’s especially useful for virtual event registration where reminder notifications are critical.

Admin Notification System

Event organizers need to stay informed about new registrations:

function send_admin_notification($registration_id) {
    // Get admin email
    $admin_email = get_option('admin_email');

    // Get registration details
    $attendee_name = get_post_meta($registration_id, 'attendee_name', true);
    $attendee_email = get_post_meta($registration_id, 'attendee_email', true);
    $event_id = get_post_meta($registration_id, 'event_id', true);
    $event_title = get_the_title($event_id);
    $ticket_type = get_post_meta($registration_id, 'attendee_ticket_type', true) ?: 'Standard';

    // Create subject and message
    $subject = "New registration for: $event_title";

    $message = "<html><body>";
    $message .= "<h3>New Event Registration</h3>";
    $message .= "<p><strong>Event:</strong> $event_title</p>";
    $message .= "<p><strong>Attendee:</strong> $attendee_name</p>";
    $message .= "<p><strong>Email:</strong> $attendee_email</p>";
    $message .= "<p><strong>Ticket Type:</strong> $ticket_type</p>";

    // Add link to admin view
    $admin_url = admin_url('edit.php?post_type=event_registration');
    $message .= "<p><a href='$admin_url'>View all registrations</a></p>";
    $message .= "</body></html>";

    // Headers
    $headers = array(
        'Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8',
        'From: ' . get_bloginfo('name') . ' <' . get_bloginfo('admin_email') . '>'
    );

    // Send email
    return wp_mail($admin_email, $subject, $message, $headers);
}

For multiple event organizers, consider creating a dedicated notification system:

function notify_event_team($registration_id, $event_id) {
    // Get event team emails
    $event_team = get_post_meta($event_id, 'event_team_emails', true);

    if (empty($event_team)) {
        return false;
    }

    // Convert to array if string
    if (!is_array($event_team)) {
        $event_team = explode(',', $event_team);
    }

    // Format emails
    $team_emails = array_map('trim', $event_team);

    // Get event details
    $event_title = get_the_title($event_id);

    // Create subject and message
    $subject = "New registration for your event: $event_title";

    $message = "<html><body>";
    $message .= "<h3>New Registration Alert</h3>";
    $message .= "<p>There's a new registration for <strong>$event_title</strong>.</p>";

    // Add registration counts
    $total_registrations = get_post_meta($event_id, 'registered_attendees_count', true) ?: 0;
    $capacity = get_post_meta($event_id, 'event_capacity', true) ?: 'unlimited';

    $message .= "<p>Current registration count: $total_registrations";
    if ($capacity !== 'unlimited') {
        $message .= " out of $capacity (" . round(($total_registrations / $capacity) * 100) . "% full)";
    }
    $message .= "</p>";

    // Add admin link
    $admin_url = admin_url('edit.php?post_type=event_registration');
    $message .= "<p><a href='$admin_url'>View registration details</a></p>";
    $message .= "</body></html>";

    // Headers
    $headers = array(
        'Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8',
        'From: ' . get_bloginfo('name') . ' <' . get_bloginfo('admin_email') . '>'
    );

    // Send email to all team members
    $sent = true;
    foreach ($team_emails as $email) {
        $result = wp_mail($email, $subject, $message, $headers);
        if (!$result) {
            $sent = false;
        }
    }

    return $sent;
}

This system ensures all stakeholders stay informed without relying on Event Manager or similar notification plugins.

Registration Management Interface

Create a custom admin dashboard to manage registrations:

// Add meta boxes to registration post type
function add_registration_meta_boxes() {
    add_meta_box(
        'registration_details',
        'Registration Details',
        'display_registration_details',
        'event_registration',
        'normal',
        'high'
    );
}
add_action('add_meta_boxes', 'add_registration_meta_boxes');

// Display registration details
function display_registration_details($post) {
    // Get all meta data
    $meta = get_post_meta($post->ID);

    // Get event info
    $event_id = isset($meta['event_id'][0]) ? $meta['event_id'][0] : 0;
    $event_title = $event_id ? get_the_title($event_id) : 'Unknown Event';

    echo '<div class="registration-admin-panel">';
    echo '<h3>Event: <a href="' . get_edit_post_link($event_id) . '">' . esc_html($event_title) . '</a></h3>';

    echo '<table class="form-table">';

    // Attendee details section
    echo '<tr><th colspan="2"><h4>Attendee Information</h4></th></tr>';

    $fields = array(
        'attendee_name' => 'Name',
        'attendee_email' => 'Email',
        'attendee_phone' => 'Phone',
        'attendee_ticket_type' => 'Ticket Type'
    );

    foreach ($fields as $key => $label) {
        if (isset($meta[$key][0])) {
            echo '<tr>';
            echo '<th><label>' . esc_html($label) . '</label></th>';
            echo '<td>' . esc_html($meta[$key][0]) . '</td>';
            echo '</tr>';
        }
    }

    // Add custom fields section
    echo '<tr><th colspan="2"><h4>Additional Information</h4></th></tr>';

    // Dynamically display all other meta fields
    foreach ($meta as $key => $value) {
        // Skip already displayed and internal fields
        if (array_key_exists($key, $fields) || in_array($key, array('_edit_lock', '_edit_last', 'event_id'))) {
            continue;
        }

        // Format key for display
        $display_key = ucwords(str_replace(array('_', 'attendee_'), array(' ', ''), $key));

        echo '<tr>';
        echo '<th><label>' . esc_html($display_key) . '</label></th>';
        echo '<td>' . esc_html($value[0]) . '</td>';
        echo '</tr>';
    }

    echo '</table>';

    // Add admin actions
    echo '<div class="registration-actions">';
    echo '<h4>Actions</h4>';
    echo '<a href="#" class="button resend-confirmation" data-id="' . $post->ID . '">Resend Confirmation Email</a> ';
    echo '<a href="#" class="button cancel-registration" data-id="' . $post->ID . '">Cancel Registration</a>';
    echo '</div>';

    echo '</div>';

    // Add inline styles
    echo '<style>
        .registration-admin-panel h4 {
            margin: 1.5em 0 0.5em;
            padding-bottom: 0.5em;
            border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
        }
        .registration-actions {
            margin-top: 1.5em;
            padding-top: 1em;
            border-top: 1px solid #eee;
        }
    </style>';

    // Add inline JavaScript for actions
    echo '<script>
        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
            $(".resend-confirmation").on("click", function(e) {
                e.preventDefault();
                if (confirm("Resend confirmation email to this attendee?")) {
                    // AJAX call would go here
                    alert("Confirmation email sent!");
                }
            });

            $(".cancel-registration").on("click", function(e) {
                e.preventDefault();
                if (confirm("Are you sure you want to cancel this registration? This cannot be undone.")) {
                    // AJAX call would go here
                    alert("Registration cancelled!");
                }
            });
        });
    </script>';
}

For better management, add a custom admin column view:

// Add custom columns to registration list
function set_registration_columns($columns) {
    $new_columns = array();
    $new_columns['cb'] = $columns['cb'];
    $new_columns['title'] = __('Registration', 'textdomain');
    $new_columns['event'] = __('Event', 'textdomain');
    $new_columns['attendee'] = __('Attendee', 'textdomain');
    $new_columns['email'] = __('Email', 'textdomain');
    $new_columns['ticket'] = __('Ticket Type', 'textdomain');
    $new_columns['date'] = $columns['date'];

    return $new_columns;
}
add_filter('manage_event_registration_posts_columns', 'set_registration_columns');

// Fill custom columns with data
function display_registration_column_data($column, $post_id) {
    switch ($column) {
        case 'event':
            $event_id = get_post_meta($post_id, 'event_id', true);
            if ($event_id) {
                echo '<a href="' . get_edit_post_link($event_id) . '">' . get_the_title($event_id) . '</a>';
            } else {
                echo 'Unknown Event';
            }
            break;

        case 'attendee':
            echo get_post_meta($post_id, 'attendee_name', true);
            break;

        case 'email':
            echo get_post_meta($post_id, 'attendee_email', true);
            break;

        case 'ticket':
            echo get_post_meta($post_id, 'attendee_ticket_type', true) ?: 'Standard';
            break;
    }
}
add_action('manage_event_registration_posts_custom_column', 'display_registration_column_data', 10, 2);

// Make columns sortable
function set_sortable_registration_columns($columns) {
    $columns['event'] = 'event';
    $columns['attendee'] = 'attendee_name';
    $columns['ticket'] = 'attendee_ticket_type';
    return $columns;
}
add_filter('manage_edit-event_registration_sortable_columns', 'set_sortable_registration_columns');

// Handle sorting
function set_registration_columns_sorting($query) {
    if (!is_admin() || !$query->is_main_query()) {
        return;
    }

    $orderby = $query->get('orderby');

    if ('event' === $orderby) {
        $query->set('meta_key', 'event_id');
        $query->set('orderby', 'meta_value_num');
    }

    if ('attendee_name' === $orderby) {
        $query->set('meta_key', 'attendee_name');
        $query->set('orderby', 'meta_value');
    }

    if ('attendee_ticket_type' === $orderby) {
        $query->set('meta_key', 'attendee_ticket_type');
        $query->set('orderby', 'meta_value');
    }
}
add_action('pre_get_posts', 'set_registration_columns_sorting');

This admin interface rivaling Formidable Forms allows for efficient attendee information management without any third-party plugins.

Data Export Functionality

Add CSV export functionality for attendee lists:

// Add export button to registrations page
function add_export_button() {
    global $current_screen;

    if ('edit-event_registration' !== $current_screen->id) {
        return;
    }

    $events = get_posts(array(
        'post_type' => 'event',
        'post_status' => 'publish',
        'posts_per_page' => -1,
        'orderby' => 'title',
        'order' => 'ASC'
    ));

    if (empty($events)) {
        return;
    }

    ?>
    <div class="wrap">
        <h3>Export Registrations</h3>
        <form method="post" action="<?php echo admin_url('admin-post.php'); ?>">
            <input type="hidden" name="action" value="export_event_registrations">
            <?php wp_nonce_field('export_registrations_nonce', 'export_nonce'); ?>

            <select name="event_id">
                <option value="">All Events</option>
                <?php foreach ($events as $event) : ?>
                    <option value="<?php echo $event->ID; ?>"><?php echo $event->post_title; ?></option>
                <?php endforeach; ?>
            </select>

            <input type="submit" class="button button-primary" value="Export CSV">
        </form>
    </div>
    <?php
}
add_action('admin_notices', 'add_export_button');

// Handle export request
function export_event_registrations() {
    if (!current_user_can('manage_options')) {
        wp_die('Unauthorized access');
    }

    if (!isset($_POST['export_nonce']) || !wp_verify_nonce($_POST['export_nonce'], 'export_registrations_nonce')) {
        wp_die('Security check failed');
    }

    $event_id = isset($_POST['event_id']) ? intval($_POST['event_id']) : 0;

    // Set up query args
    $args = array(
        'post_type' => 'event_registration',
        'post_status' => 'publish',
        'posts_per_page' => -1,
        'orderby' => 'date',
        'order' => 'DESC'
    );

    // Add event filter if selected
    if ($event_id > 0) {
        $args['meta_query'] = array(
            array(
                'key' => 'event_id',
                'value' => $event_id,
                'compare' => '='
            )
        );
    }

    $registrations = get_posts($args);

    if (empty($registrations)) {
        wp_redirect(admin_url('edit.php?post_type=event_registration&export=nodata'));
        exit;
    }

    // Define CSV headers
    $csv_headers = array(
        'Registration ID',
        'Date',
        'Event',
        'Name',
        'Email',
        'Phone',
        'Ticket Type'
    );

    // Start output
    header('Content-Type: text/csv; charset=utf-8');
    header('Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=registrations-' . date('Y-m-d') . '.csv');

    $output = fopen('php://output', 'w');

    // Add UTF-8 BOM to fix Excel encoding issues
    fputs($output, "\xEF\xBB\xBF");

    // Write headers
    fputcsv($output, $csv_headers);

    // Write data rows
    foreach ($registrations as $registration) {
        $event_id = get_post_meta($registration->ID, 'event_id', true);
        $event_title = $event_id ? get_the_title($event_id) : 'Unknown Event';

        $row = array(
            $registration->ID,
            get_the_date('Y-m-d H:i:s', $registration->ID),
            $event_title,
            get_post_meta($registration->ID, 'attendee_name', true),
            get_post_meta($registration->ID, 'attendee_email', true),
            get_post_meta($registration->ID, 'attendee_phone', true),
            get_post_meta($registration->ID, 'attendee_ticket_type', true) ?: 'Standard'
        );

        fputcsv($output, $row);
    }

    fclose($output);
    exit;
}
add_action('admin_post_export_event_registrations', 'export_event_registrations');

This export functionality provides all the data management features of EventON or The Events Calendar without the cost or performance impact of large plugins.

FAQ on Creating A WordPress Event Registration Form

Can I create a registration form using only WordPress core features?

Yes. You can build a basic registration form using WordPress’s default Contact Form 7 functionality. For more advanced options, combine Gutenberg blocks with custom HTML and a bit of CSS. No need for Event Espresso or other dedicated plugins.

How do I collect and store attendee information?

Store attendee data using WordPress’s database through custom post types. This creates a structured system for attendee information management without additional plugins. Add form validation to ensure data quality before storage.

Is payment integration possible without plugins?

Absolutely. Integrate PayPal or Stripe using their direct API connections through custom code snippets. This method requires some technical knowledge but eliminates the need for WooCommerce Bookings or similar payment plugins.

How do I send confirmation emails to registrants?

Use WordPress’s wp_mail() function with custom triggers after form submission. This handles registration confirmation emails automatically. Set up templates with dynamic fields to personalize messages for each attendee.

Can I create registration forms for multiple events simultaneously?

Yes. Build a template system using custom fields and post types. This setup allows multi-event registration without The Events Calendar plugin. Each event gets its own form with shared core functionality.

How do I implement form validation without plugins?

Add JavaScript validation for client-side checks and PHP validation for server-side security. This two-layer approach ensures proper form submission without relying on Ninja Forms or other form plugins.

Can I limit the number of registrations?

Definitely. Create a counter variable stored in the WordPress database. Increment it with each successful registration and display a waitlist option when your event capacity limits are reached.

How do I make registration forms mobile-friendly?

Use responsive CSS with flexible grid layouts and appropriate input sizing. Test on multiple devices. WordPress’s default Twenty Twenty-Five theme provides good responsive foundations for mobile-friendly registration forms.

Can I translate my registration form for international audiences?

Yes. Implement form translation through WordPress’s built-in gettext functions. This allows registration form translation without plugins, making your form accessible to global audiences attending virtual event registration.

How do I create conditional logic in my forms?

Add JavaScript to show/hide fields based on previous selections. This creates conditional logic forms without Formidable Forms or similar tools. Perfect for workshop signup forms requiring different information based on ticket types.

Conclusion

Learning how to create a WordPress event registration form without a plugin gives you ultimate control over your event management process. By combining WordPress’s native capabilities with custom code, you’ve now mastered a valuable skill for webinar registration and event planning.

Building your own form means:

Complete ownership of your attendee data collection system
Deeper understanding of WordPress form submission mechanics
Faster site performance without the bloat of EventON or Modern Events Calendar
Custom design freedom beyond what Elementor templates offer

The techniques we’ve covered work for everything from small meeting RSVP systems to large conference registration solutions. Your custom form handles group registration options and can incorporate discount codes for events without expensive premium solutions.

Remember that WordPress.org forums remain an excellent resource when troubleshooting your custom forms. Keep experimenting with form field customization to perfect your registration process!