Do chairs make a difference?

Chairs only make a difference to me if theyre comfortable. Chairs of comparable quality and level of comfort would be the same thing to me. 😊

Personally I'm really glad that my venue has chiavari chairs for the reception rather than folding chairs, because I like the look of them a lot better. However the chairs are included with renting the venue, if we were renting chairs on our own I don't know that I would go for nicer chairs if there was a huge price difference. The main thing that matters is having a seat for each person, guests probably won't remember the chairs unless they're horribly uncomfortable.

I agree with PP if they are not ugly the only thing that would make me upgrade chairs is the level of comfort.

If you've got plenty of budget left, then sure! Or if the provided chairs are fugly banquet chairs that at least need a chair cover. Before upgrading your chairs, make sure you've accounted for other priorities first like food, drinks, entertainment.

Are you renting other items from the chair company? If not, you may get sticker shock on delivery & set-up costs. The rentals (chairs, flatware, tables, etc) aren't normally too bad but the delivery costs were insane when we looked into upgrading chairs or getting wood tables. I think the rentals were $400 for our small wedding but the delivery costs were $500! Happily, the venue changed chairs a few months before our wedding (and gave us a few wood tables at no charge). Whew.

I’m having the same debate and decided they were worth it.

View Quoted Comment It’s so hard! I think the chairs really had a beautiful touch because honestly that’s what you see the most of.

View Quoted Comment THIS.
And for this reason only there will be none of those B.S. chivari chairs at my wedding or reception, plus those you tend to have to pay for.

The chairs provided at my venue are comfy, padded theatre chairs..are they my colors? Nope. Black steel and dark red cushion. Will people see then when their butts are in them? Nope, but they will be comfy. LOL

View Quoted Comment That’s exactly how I feel. I want lots of shots of my set up and pictures where the chairs don’t look good just ruin them for me. As long as the flowers look decent, I think the chairs make up more of the look.

Chairs make a difference to me when the provided chairs are either metal folding chairs or those metal and fabric chairs you find in office conference rooms...which is what my venue provides. :/ We're leaving them alone in the ceremony space, but putting chair covers on them in the reception space (I also hate chair covers, but it's a whole lot less expensive than renting nice chairs). I'm someone who gets stuck on details like chairs, and carpets, and they can totally kill the otherwise beautiful look of a space for me. I think it's a good thing to splurge on if you have the money in your budget.

View Quoted Comment I’m glad I’m not the only one who is stuck on those details!

View Quoted Comment

I literally turned down 5 venues that were otherwise great JUST because they had ugly carpets and I couldn't get past it lmao that's my only "bridezilla" thing...carpets.

We ended up renting chairs, or I should say my mother did because she really cared about the details. If she didn't offer to cover the cost I would have just dealt with the chairs that came with the venue. I personally hate the look of chair covers and think basically any chair looks better. But, like a pp said the delivery cost was outrageous so I think we are going to end up renting a uhaul and dealing with delivery ourselves. Will it be worth it? I guess I'll find out...

No. No one cares about the chair they're in as long as it isn't super uncomfortable

I upgraded my chairs .. i wanted a certain look and i needed black chivari chairs .. the cost me $8 pp ..

Same dilemma and couldn’t handle the horrible white chairs in all my photos. For me it was worth it as I knew they would bother me.

I considered alternative chairs but decided the ones provided were just fine. I think they can affect the overall vibe and feel but no one will care other than you...unless they are hard and uncomfortable!!!

I honestly think it depends if your venue offers chairs with chair covers for free then don’t add the extra expense. Because people are truly suppose to be sitting only to eat & while the dances (first dance/father & daughter) are happening other than that they should be partying, on the dance floor, getting drinks, taking pictures, mingling with each other.. not sitting. Lol.. not if you have to pay for covers then you have to spend money anyway so get what you want. Just my opinion..

I'm having the same dilemma! I'm not deciding until a month out, and seeing if I have the extra $1,000 to spend on chivalri chairs rather than white padded folding chairs.

To some of the above posters - It’s not about the comfort, it’s about the look. If you don’t think looks matter, please accept that some of us do care.

I had chiavari chairs at my first wedding because they were standard in the venue's package. A friend of mine got married four years before me, and she had chair covers with sashes. Hers looked nice but the sash wasn't very comfortable. So when it came time for my own wedding I thought the chairs looked fine and just went with what looked like the least effort. I didn't know the chairs I got were such desirable items and I honestly don't remember anyone else's chairs since. Not sure which chairs I'll choose for wedding #2, probably whichever ones look best in the reception room.