diff --git a/src/modules/activities/components/CreateEventDialog.vue b/src/modules/activities/components/CreateEventDialog.vue
index a32846a..180184b 100644
--- a/src/modules/activities/components/CreateEventDialog.vue
+++ b/src/modules/activities/components/CreateEventDialog.vue
@@ -67,8 +67,12 @@ const emit = defineEmits<{
 }>()
 
 const isEditMode = computed(() => Boolean(props.event?.id))
-const willGoToPending = computed(
-  () => isEditMode.value && !props.isAdmin && !props.autoApprove
+// True when the submission will land in `proposed` status: a non-admin
+// owner with the extension's auto_approve toggle off. Same gate for
+// create and edit; the edit path also keys the in-form warning banner
+// on this so the user sees the consequence before submitting.
+const willLandInPending = computed(
+  () => !props.isAdmin && !props.autoApprove
 )
 
 const { t } = useI18n()
@@ -302,8 +306,8 @@ const onSubmit = form.handleSubmit(async (formValues) => {
       }
       await props.onUpdateEvent(props.event.id, eventData)
       toastService.success(
-        willGoToPending.value
-          ? 'Event updated — pending re-approval'
+        willLandInPending.value
+          ? 'Updated — awaiting re-approval. Hidden from the public feed until reviewed.'
           : 'Event updated!'
       )
       emit('event-updated')
@@ -313,7 +317,11 @@ const onSubmit = form.handleSubmit(async (formValues) => {
         return
       }
       await props.onCreateEvent(eventData)
-      toastService.success('Event submitted!')
+      toastService.success(
+        willLandInPending.value
+          ? 'Submitted! Awaiting admin approval — your draft is visible on your feed with a Pending badge.'
+          : 'Event submitted!'
+      )
       emit('event-created')
     }
 
@@ -363,7 +371,7 @@ const handleOpenChange = (open: boolean) => {
 
       <ScrollArea class="max-h-[70vh] px-6 pb-6">
         <form @submit="onSubmit" class="space-y-4">
-          <Alert v-if="willGoToPending" variant="default" class="border-orange-500/40 bg-orange-500/5">
+          <Alert v-if="isEditMode && willLandInPending" variant="default" class="border-orange-500/40 bg-orange-500/5">
             <AlertCircle class="h-4 w-4 text-orange-500" />
             <AlertDescription>
               Saving will resubmit for approval. The event will be removed