How to check a stylist can work within your venue's rules

Your venue has rules. Some are written in the contract. Others are enforced on the day by management. A stylist who ignores them doesn't just frustrate your venue coordinator—they wreck your event's smooth run and can void your hire agreement. Verification starts before you book, not after disaster strikes.

Nail down the venue's constraints first

Before you contact any stylist, sit with your venue's management (or event coordinator if they've assigned one) and get clarity on what's actually prohibited. This isn't what you assume—it's what they enforce. Ask whether they ban nail guns, adhesive tape on walls, hanging items from ceilings, open flame, certain colours of paint or material, structural changes to the room, external electrical draws, or overnight setup. Write their answers down. Some venues have different rules for different zones. A ballroom might allow more than a kitchen passage.

Also ask whether they have preferred vendors or a banned list. Many venues partner with specific decorators and won't allow others in—or conversely, they'll reject heavy-handed work from providers they've had trouble with before. Get the name of the person who'll inspect the space on setup day, and ask whether they issue a sign-off sheet or formal approval at a particular stage.

Then get the venue's written rules (usually buried in their T&Cs or a separate decor rider) in PDF or email. You'll need this to share with your stylist and to settle disputes if something goes wrong.

Verify the stylist has done similar work under the same constraints

When you brief a stylist, don't just show them Instagram photos of work you like. Present your venue's actual constraints and ask directly: "Have you styled an event in a venue with these rules?" If they say yes, ask for a reference—specifically the contact of someone who booked them for a similar venue type (a hotel ballroom, a restaurant, a heritage hall, whatever yours is).

Then actually call that reference. Ask them: Did the stylist respect the venue's restrictions? Did they need to troubleshoot on the day, and if so, did they adapt gracefully or push back? Did the venue give final approval without fuss? Were there any bills or disputes afterward about damage or rule-breaking?

Also request that your stylist provide a written setup and strike plan—not just a mood board. This plan should list every tool they'll bring, every fixing method they'll use (tape type, hooks, nails, adhesive), how long setup takes, how they'll remove everything without trace, and whether they need permission for anything outside standard practice. Ask them to review this against your venue's rules and get explicit confirmation that every step is permitted. If they won't do this in writing, or if they hedge with "we'll see on the day," they're not the right fit.

Check whether they're insured as well. Ask for proof of public liability and professional indemnity cover that extends to your event date and venue. Many venues require this—not because they're cautious, but because damage does happen, and you'll thank yourself for moving fast on a claim.

Finally, look them up on Strove or other verified platforms. Filter reviews for keywords like "venue," "restrictions," "approval," or "no issues." Negative comments mentioning rule-breaking or clashes with venue staff are red flags; positive notes about smooth coordination are green lights.

The goal isn't to police your stylist—it's to find one who's done this dance before and knows how to choreograph a beautiful event without stepping on the venue's toes. When you've checked their track record against your venue's specific demands, you've found someone reliable.