Top 10 alternative wedding chairs that will transform your wedding décor
Wedding chairs- Camelot, Chiavari, cross back, ghost, Louis, Eames, folding…who knew there were so many options when it comes to chairs for your wedding…? I suspect until you started wedding planning the only consideration you ever gave a chair was “is it comfy to sit on?” Suddenly you’re planning your wedding and how the chair looks becomes a BIG DEAL!!!
Now, if you’re lucky, your wedding venue will have nice in house chairs like a lime wash Chiavari and you won’t need to worry about it. But chances are they may have something that completely clashes with the look and feel of your wedding day- hello battered gold banqueting chairs with blue seat pads??? If this is the case, you’ll want to consider some alternative wedding chair options, especially if you’ve been gathering inspiration from Pinterest. Here are my top ten alternative wedding chair ideas:
Chiavari or Camelot Chair
Budget friendly, this style comes in lots of options from lime wash and gold, to mahogany and black, with various colours available for seat pads. You can even create your own bespoke seat pad covers to really tie them into your scheme. You may also be surprised to learn that sometimes it will cost less to hire a Chiavari chair than it does to hire chair covers to conceal the existing ones!
Photos: Marianne Taylor via Pretty Pastel Wedding at Northbrook Park
Available to hire via Academy Furniture Hire
Louis Chair
For an elegant and refined look the Louis chair ticks lots of boxes, the white or limewash are nice neutral options but you can get the pads in a wide range of colourful choices too. This style lends itself so well to sophisticated soirees and the broad seat makes it comfortable for long hours of dining and chatting around the table.
Photo: Krista A Jones Photography via Style Me Pretty + Christina Brosnan via Style Me Pretty
Available to hire from Duchess & Butler in White and from Great Hire as the Chandelle Chair in a range of colours and as a cane back from House of Furn.
Ghost Chair
If you are looking for a more minimal aesthetic where the chair fades into the background then take a look at the Ghost chair. The transparent polycarbonate takes on the colours around it, so you can get really creative with your lighting design, and they lend a contemporary look to any setting.
Photos: Taylor Lord Photography with floral design by Without Wax Katy via Junebug Weddings + Elizabeth Fogarty via Elizabeth Anne Designs
Available to hire from Academy Furniture Hire and from House of Furn
Industrial Café Chair or the Tolix Chair
Getting married in a warehouse or studio space and want something that fits the vibe of the venue? The industrial styled café chair has a cool, laid back design, which is perfect for more informal wedding days. Also available in a variety of different colours, they’re really great for adding a pop of colour to your décor.
Photos: The Visual Partners via Inspired by This + Jen Huang Photography via Ruffled
Available to hire from Hire It
Eames DSW Chairs
If mid century modern is your thing, how about the design classic Eames DSW chair? This chair has found its way into many stylish homes over the years, and with good reason. The moulded seat and back are super comfortable and the eiffel legs bring an industrial twist. Perfect for adding a retro modern detail to your wedding scheme.
Steve Cowell Photo via Wedding Chicks + Birds of a Feather Photography via Ruffled
Available to hire via Yahire and Hire It in a range of colours
Masters Chair
For chairs that make a statement and get everyone talking, the Masters chair designed by Philippe Starck is a great choice. They come in a small range of muted colours and would compliment a modern city wedding for style-conscious couples. The interweaving detail in the backrest means that they don’t even need any further dressing.
Photos by Anushé Low
Available to hire via Wedhead (in white and clear Perspex) and Options Great Hire
Cross-back or Strap Back Chair
If a rustic vibe is more your style, then Cross-back chairs are what you need. With their wooden, French countryside styling, they have a charming and relaxed feel to them. These chairs are great because they can be kept plain or dressed up with flowers, ribbons, paper accessories and more.
Photographs: Tamara Gruner Photography via MOD Wedding + Jose Villa via Flowerwild
Available to hire via Stress-Free Hire
A variation on the cross back is the Wicker back available from Wedhead
Folding chairs
The classic folding Bistro chair is ideal for outdoor ceremonies or when you need to add extra seating areas to the venue such as courtyards. They are really affordable and have an easy-going elegant style that works with many wedding themes.
Photos: Lauren Balingit via Once Wed + onelove photography via Style Me Pretty
Mismatched wooden chairs
For an eclectic style on your wedding day, try a mix and match approach to the chairs. Combining different styles can be a great way to add texture to the reception décor- just make sure that you stick to a select colour palette or complementary shades of wood to stop it looking too messy. This style is a great match for fun outdoor weddings, including marquees and tipis.
Photographs: Ashley Ludaescher Photography via Bridal Musings + Anna K Photography via The Knot
Available to hire via Poppy Trading Company
Accent Chairs /Armchairs
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to replace all of your chairs, how about just having different chairs for you both, to highlight the married couple? Or you could have the whole of the top table fitted with special chairs. With all eyes on you and the top table throughout the speeches anyway, they will make a focal point and look great in photos. You could also create a bar or lounge area with an eclectic selection of furniture for guests to relax at during the drinks reception or as a chill-out zone after dinner.
Photos: Vintage Style Hire + Gianny Campos Photography via Style Me Pretty
A selection of vintage armchairs, sofa and statement chairs available to hire from Locate to Create. and House of Furn
There really are lots of choices, more then I’ve listed here, and were once in the UK we were limited to banqueting and chiavari chairs the choices we now have in the UK have greatly increased. If your budget can stretch to it, hiring chairs can make a huge impact to your wedding style and concept. But I hope I’ve shown you that even just the clever placement of a few key pieces of furniture can look fantastic.
And if you’re still thinking that your ugly venue chairs just need some chair covers, please reconsider! The chances are they will fit the chairs badly, the sashes will fall off during the night and they may cost as much, if not more, than hiring completely different chairs anyway…
For more inspiration on how to style up your reception with alternative wedding chairs take a look at our pinterest board here for chair decor ideas.
PS still trying to work out how to seat your guests for the wedding reception then take a look at our post on How to seat your wedding guests
