- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
I have my dream venue 95% secured. However, the only thing that tarnishes my dream is the fact that I hate the basic chairs that come with the venue. But I found out today to upgrade to chivari chairs it would be $5 a chair. Way. Way. Way out of our budget. I'm actually considering changing my date and my venue just because I dislike these chairs so much.
They are like lightweight plastic lawn chairs (if you can't tell from the picture). There are zero other options - I made sure to ask a million times. It's either these of $5 a chair.
If anyone needs a better idea, here is a video that taken at my venue (using the chairs, for ceremony and reception) http://vimeo.com/groups/wedding/videos/14727297
Can someone sway me? Are they really THAT bad?
P.S.: I hate chair covers in general even more than the chairs.
Photo courtesy of Project Wedding
So I have this right, the chairs you get are the ones in the picture? Ok...personally I love them. I think they are uber cute and very different. I would think you paid more to have those...maybe thats just me but I think they seem unique and more special.
@Ms.Charleston Pearls: Really?! Wow. Well that's good to hear. I know that they go a lot better with this decor than they will my darker fall colors.
They're also plastic - I don't know if you can tell from the picture.
Are they plastic or ??? I like the unique shape of them, but if they're the lightweight plastic chairs (like people use on their patios), then....I don't like them so much.
They look like they are plastic... are they? I love the shape of them though, but for a wedding, I don't know iif I would want them.
I think they look very unique despite being plastic!
Is there an in between chair you could rent that would be an upgrade from those but cheaper than the chivari?
Even though they're plastic, I like them. That's a barn right? Or something similar to a rustic feel? I don't think they're horrible by any means. You can always attach like a ribbon or something to the backs to spice them up a bit? Maybe?
I'm with milesbella. I don't mind the shape of them, color etc. but I'm not sure I could get over the plastic part of it. Is there any flexibility to find a cheaper chair rental from an outside source?
I think they LOOK really cute. I love the shape. They are so neat. HOWEVER, the fact that they are plastic is a negative, in my opnion..
Something to think about - when I went to look at my venue before I booked it, the coordinator asked me if I remembered what kind of chair I sat in at the last wedding I attended. For the life of me, I could not remember! I think it is a detail most wedding attendees will forget about or hardly notice. If you love everything else, the chairs are minor!
@forforever: No other option but the $5 upgrade :/ They won't even let us provide our own linens. Really strict.
Also, after looking at your photo I realized I'd seen a wedding on facebook (wedding creeping...oops) that was at the same venue. They used the plastic chairs with dark purple linens and it really didn't look that bad.
@WannabeMrsV: That's a good point. You just reminded me that the only chairs I remember are from the wedding where they were plastic 
. Some of the bigger people who a little concerned...That changed my opinion a little on the plastic...
Oh, I like them. They are way better than the brown metal folding chairs we'll probably end up with.
I second messybride- is there no other option than plastic or chivali? Chivali chairs aren't worth it in my opinion. The fact that the existing chairs are plastic is annoying, but not a deal-breaker for me. Are they grey or cream or white? I'll think they'll provide some nice lines in photos :)
I think they'll look fine in photographs. The chair shape is really cool. The only issue if you are worried about the actual feel/experience for your guests having to seat on plastic chairs.
@june42011: oh that is a good point! As a larger person (very tall), I have actually broken a plastic chair before! I guess guest comfort is another consideration I didn;t think about. Is there another alternative chair that is not as expensive as chivalri chairs? Sometimes rental companies have decent wooden folding chairs.
Once the venue is full and there are bums in seats, you will hardly notice the chairs.
How much of the chair do you actually see?
Honestly, people don't notice chairs. They really don't. I can't remember the chairs at the wedding I went to in October- and I'm in the middle of planning one!
I'm not going to lie and say they are the nicest chairs I have ever seen, but seriously, they are fine, and the shape is unique. Don't waste your money on the Chiavari chairs.
I personally think they're fine.
And if you want to jazz them up without chair covers you could try wrapping or tying tulle around the back slats in interesting ways. Make them more classy looking. I honestly don't think the average person would notice or care, especially with such a rustic location. They kinda fit in.
Here's a page with a few ideas for wrapping tulle/ribbon
if you are not super tight on budget, i suggest you get better chairs.
believe it or not, having better chairs will make a wedding more upscale looking in photos.
As a guest I would totally notice the chairs were plastic. But I would think about it for a few seconds and unless they are seriously uncomfortable it probably wouldn't cross my mind again.
I agree with a previous poster about larger guests. Two people I know have broken a plastic chair like that just by sitting in it. Therefore, it may be more uncomfortable for some than others.
okay.....just watched the video. I think they match they venue more than I had originally thought. I say stick with them!
I actually really don't mind them but I think that room is way to busy and the other items make the place look cheap. If I were designing this room, I would march myself over to stylemepretty and get some whimsical ideas. Then you can design a clean and cohesive look around the "ugly" chairs (which I happen to really like).
The chairs are not great..at all. They remind me of plastic lawn chairs. I would cover them with some chair covers for sure. If you hate chair covers that much and don't want to spend $5 a chair for chiavari chairs, then I guess you are out of luck!
Let's also remember that uber cool Louis XVI Ghost Chairs are like $250 bucks a pop or more. And those are made out of acrylic. All I am saying is material doesn't matter (it's not like any of them are La-Z Boy comfy), appearance does. And these could work in a sort of Alice and Wonderland fantastical way.
I think they are fine. Your guests are not going to be in the chairs all night and if they are who cares. I think Chiavari chairs are uncomfortable and kind of unsturdy. Why spend more money?
I agree, I think they look just fine. However, could you add a cushion or pillow to all or some of the chairs? This may give a different look and/or make guests a little more comfortable. And, if you could do it in your colors then it ties everything in. We had a bench at my wedding that we put 6 throwpillows on and it was a huge hit. We did it mostly to "hide" the bench and tie it into the room, but guests appeared to enjoy the touch. Or, what about tying little messages/designs to the back of the chairs. I've attached a picture from my wedding to show you a possibility (source: Justin & Mary Marantz). 
I said they are okay. Like PP said...no one remembers the chairs...ever. (Unless they are super duper uncomfortable!...but as for looks...no one remembers) I think the shape is cute and looks esthetically pleasing when you first see it, once people are sitting you will not notice them anymore.
Man, only $5/chair to upgrade to Chiavari? Lucky duck!
That said, I think those chairs actually look really cute and suit your venue. Are you using light-colored dishware? Even if your wedding colors are dark, I think the chairs will match if your dishware is light.
I would be willing to bet the only reason anyone would notice those chairs at all is if they were planning their own wedding... unless they really are atrocious, nobody notices these things (or very few)... I dont remember commenting on a chair at a wedding ever in my life.
I think the chairs go with the look of the venue. I would keep them or change venue. The fact that they are plastic does bother me but you would never know in a picture.
I'd use self-tie covers if you can afford to rent or buy them. Prettier that the fancier chairs and cheaper- about $2.50 for each of ours.
Poll is so close!
Someone bringing up comfortability is a large issue considering I do have a co-worker that is over 400 pounds and I didn't even consider him as an issue.
So for that, I am leaning towards the $5 chairs and may just have to suck up the costs after a good bridezilla moment.
Thanks girls!
I think most plastic chairs have a weight limit of around 250lbs. Maybe you want to check with the venue if you have several heavy guests. However, I don't think any standard chairs are made to support 400 lbs. My dad has broken multiple plastic lawn chairs and he's somewhere around 260.
I think they look lovely and fit very well with the decor! It's too bad they are plastic, but at the same time they are rustic! And the design is special - plus you can't really tell the material from the photos!
I'd keep them and maybe put a pillow to spice them up...
PS A 400 pound person might have issues with Chiavari chairs as well...
As a guest pre-wedding planning, I'd not even notice. Now, I might notice, but I certainly wouldn't care. I really do not believe that a chair upgrade is worth $5/pp.
I actually like the chairs - the shape is really pretty! And its true - no one will remember the chairs! You can always have other decor that outshines the chairs to make them even less noticeable if they bother you.
Meh i wouldn't worry about it. I've sat on some pretty cheap-tastic chairs at weddings before and all i think is "okay cheap chair" and try not to plop into it too hard. We're talking metal fold out, plastic, etc. It's just a chair in the end. They'll look cute in photos and trust me--people are not going to be guffawing at the fact that you had plastic chairs all night!!!
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| Lyndzo | 46 |
| funkymunky85 | 26 |
| AshleyR83 | 24 |
| rebwana | 24 |
| mypinkshoes | 23 |
| his chippymunk | 23 |
| Ms. Salamander | 23 |
| Brielle | 22 |
| beargoose | 22 |
| kat2014 | 22 |
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| julies1949 | 3 |
| Crazyhair | 3 |
 deborah.dehlinger |
3 |
| curlymama318 | 2 |
| HisIrishPrincess | 2 |
| PookyShoes | 2 |
| turtles73 |
2 |
| alishafashionista | 2 |
| pengoala | 1 |
| ticatica | 1 |
