What a styling proposal should spell out on setup and strike

You've settled on a date, locked in a venue, and found a stylist whose portfolio makes your heart skip. Now comes the conversation that determines whether what you've imagined actually gets built on the day—the styling proposal. This document is far more than a price list. It's a map that shows exactly what the stylist will deliver, when they'll arrive, what they'll do, and crucially, what happens if things need to change.

When a stylist sends you a proposal, you're looking at a promise. A solid one spells out the setup and strike—the installation and removal of all décor—with enough detail that you and the stylist are reading from the same page when the event begins.

What setup needs to cover

Setup is when the magic happens, but it's also where vagueness costs you. A proposal should state the exact date and time the stylist will arrive, how many people are coming to install, and how long they expect to be on-site. This matters because your venue may have load-in windows, your other vendors need a timeline, and you need to know if the stylist will be finished before guests arrive or if they're still arranging centrepieces when people walk in.

The proposal should itemise what's being installed: table linens and runners, florals (specify if fresh or artificial and roughly how many arrangements), lighting elements, signage, chair covers or cushions, backdrop pieces—whatever is part of the brief. This list prevents the stylist showing up with five floral installations when you both discussed eight, or with candles when you'd agreed on battery-operated lights for safety.

Critically, the proposal should note what the stylist will provide and what you or the venue must supply. If you're hiring table décor but providing your own crockery and glassware, that should be spelled out. If the venue is supplying the tables and chairs and the stylist is only dressing them, write it down. This boundary-setting prevents finger-pointing later.

A good proposal also confirms access details: which entrance the stylist will use, where they can store materials before setup begins, whether they need keys or codes, and whether the venue requires insurance or a permit for any structural elements like draping or hanging installations. Some venues have strict rules about what can be attached to walls or ceilings; the proposal should reference that the stylist has checked these constraints.

And ask whether the proposal includes a site visit fee or walkthrough meeting. Many stylists charge a consultation fee; some waive it if you book them. You should know which applies before signing.

What strike must clarify

Strike—the teardown and removal—is often the afterthought, but a clear proposal prevents disputes and damage. It should state the date and time the stylist will return to remove everything, how many people will be involved, and whether they're responsible for leaving the space clean and in its original condition.

Be explicit about what "removal" includes. Do they take away all décor items, return hired pieces to the rental company, and dispose of fresh flowers? Or do they remove only what they installed, leaving you to manage the rest? If fresh florals were used, how quickly will they be removed (important in warm weather to avoid wilting mess)?

The proposal should clarify what happens to any items you've purchased or hired separately but the stylist installed. If you bought candles or placeholders, are they yours to keep or part of the strike cleanup? If you rented chairs, does the stylist's strike include returning those to the hire company, or is that your job?

These details matter because a beautiful event can end in chaos if the stylist leaves and the venue is buried in setup clutter, or if you're waiting on Monday morning for someone to collect rented pieces because the proposal was silent on the point.

Before you sign a proposal, make sure you can read both the setup and strike sections and predict exactly what will happen and when. If anything is vague, ask. A stylist confident in their work will happily clarify every line. On Strove, verified stylists in your area can walk you through their proposals in detail—ask to see examples of theirs before booking, and check reviews from clients who've actually seen their strike process.