I only book a date once I received the 50% non-refundable booking fee.
There are times that I will make an exception and pencil your name to a date, but this is not set for sure and if another client wants the date and are willing/able to pay the 50% non-refundable booking fee you may lose the date.
I will however let you know first and give you first option to pay your 50% non-refundable booking fee, before I take another client to that date.