Help! The curtains and carpet are hideous!

Here is an example of some people who didn't use chair covers:

It does not look right at all...

I don't think it is the absence of chair covers that make this "not look right". i think it is the fact that the chairs are ivory and the linen is white and bright pink. with your choice of the damask (if you choose a heavier print version)you will not notice the drastic difference between the white and ivory. this particular room is also very light in comparison to the dark green carpet and curtains in "your" room - thus making the ivory color stand out more.

also, your lights will be dimmer and honestly, people are not going to care what color your chairs are (they probably won't even notice).

That is very true. You're right

I think I'll get a general idea pretty soon of wether I will need them or not. I'm going to go take a look, take some pictures and see how my decorations will end up looking with the chairs once it's all put together and such.

People may not notice the carpet and drapes consciously, but many may notice on an unconscious level. It's hard to say. There's lots of ways to draw attention away from areas you don't like. The floor is easy. Just put something cool up above. Either tent the ceiling, or light it, or a number of other things. The drapes are a little more difficult since they're at eye level. So do something cool outside, or change the focus of the room by making a buffet or a bar with ice or a martini luge in the center of the room that people walk around. It's just like a magic trick. Make the crowd look in the direction you want.

I had lighting out my wedding and it made a big difference. It brougth the whole room together. Upstage lighting is great. Also the decor you use will help big time. And if it's in your budget you can do drapery around the whole room with the lighting.