When is it safe to put chocolate dipped strawberries on a buttercream cake? The day of of the day before the event? Customer is picking up cake in morning at 10 and her event isn't til 5 tomorrow evening. I'm worried they will weep in the cake before then!
Any ideas or experiences would be appreciated!!

First of all, don't refrigerate them,that will make them weep when they warm up.

I'd put them on right before displaying the cake. If you can give them to her in a separate container then have her put them on the cake that's the safest thing to do.

I do exactly as costumeczar does. I dip room temp right before the event, within a few hours and place them at the last minute.

I totally agree with the above about dipping and storing. The only other thing I do is mark on the cake where the strawberries go. I know this seems silly, but some customers really have no idea about placement.