Chair Covers/ Sashes

bbrown185

My FMIL and I are at odds about chair covers and sashes right now.  I feel that the banquet chairs that come standard at my venue clash with my colors way too much to not cover.  She feels that they are totally unnecessary and a waste especially since she had "metal folding chairs" at her wedding.  She doesn't have to pay for them so I see why she had to say anything.  So I want to know are they really that unnecessary?  Do guests even notice that? Do you have any alternatives that looked nice and worked for you?

My reception colors are ivory, gold, with a touch of deep brown. The chairs in question are burgundy and purple. Chairs covers with sashes are $5 pp.  Gold chiavari chairs are $9 pp.

jessicabessica

From what you're describing, it doesn't sound like the chairs would necessaraily clash that badly.  But I understand having chair issues. 

Our venue has red/orange chairs that have a distinctive autumn feel.  Our wedding is in July, and we are trying to keep the color scheme to shades of blue with some bright green color pops and have a garden feel.  I don't know if other people will notice the chairs, but my FI and I don't like them, and we're not having tons of decorations, so I think that having the chairs contrast so starkly will be more noticeable.  We want more of a clean, simple look, so we're renting chairs with plain wood backs (I think they're coming out to be less than chiavari chairs, even thought I think they're nicer). 

bbrown185

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_chair-covers-sashes-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:011e4d74-fa05-4e64-b8d7-4c6eefb3313bPost:744fc6e1-f75a-4d8c-b2cf-7786595e931c">Re: Chair Covers/ Sashes</a>:
[QUOTE]I only really notice the chairs if I don't have one to sit in. :) If it's in the budget, and having chair covers/sashes would make you happier with how the room looks, go for it. I think we've talked about this in the past, but isn't your reception at the same place mine was?  We used ivory linens and had brown/cranberry accents.  With the lights dimmed for the reception, the chairs pretty much blended right in. 
Posted by ILoveMilkDuds[/QUOTE]

Yes, my reception is at the same place yours was.  I am dimming the lights as well and just really did not know if that would help or not. I thought about adding accents that would blend in with the chairs and just put gold sashes on them but honestly I don't even know how that wil look either. 

mpatt2122

If it was me I would would spend my money elsewhere. I don't think people will really notice or remember if your chairs didn't match.

fallbride1109

I am one of the people that notices chairs.  I covered mine.  I don't like sashes though so I would leave those off.

It's one of those things that I would do if I had the budget, but if I didn't, I wouldn't sweat it.  Luckily for us, the upgrade to cover ours was pretty inexpensive.

bbrown185

Stephie- I agree with you that I am that person at wedding that notices ugly chairs.  I think the only reason I am concerned is because she made it sound like it is completely ridiculous to want them in the first place.

SuMmErKuTiE

We paid $5 to cover our chairs as well which included sashes. The banquet chairs at our venue were hideous, and I looked through a lot of pictures of past weddings at my venue, and when the chairs were uncovered they really stuck out and brought down the whole look of the room so we opted to cover them. I felt it was a huge waste of money, but on the other hand I didn't want the ugly chairs so we went for it. My colors were gold, light pink, and cream and I would have loved to have had gold chivari chairs, but my venue didn't have them.

If you really hate the chairs at your venue, think that they'll stick out, and it's in your budget, go ahead and cover them. But if it's stretching your budget, just forget about it. It's not worth it.. will people notice? Some will, but most won't. I covered mine because I knew I'd notice along with some others and wanted our reception room to be all pulled together.

fallbride1109

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_chair-covers-sashes-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:011e4d74-fa05-4e64-b8d7-4c6eefb3313bPost:7c6f1cfb-ebac-404f-b786-a3c2bd45a8e4">Re: Chair Covers/ Sashes</a>:
[QUOTE]Stephie- I agree with you that I am that person at wedding that notices ugly chairs.  I think the only reason I am concerned is because she made it sound like it is completely ridiculous to want them in the first place.
Posted by bbrown185[/QUOTE]

It's not ridiculous if it bothers you.  Just because she didn't mind the metal folding chairs at her wedding, doesn't mean you shouldn't want something a little nicer for your own if you can afford it.

bbrown185

The budget is not the issue at all luckily.  Its really come down to whether or not wanting chair covers is "uppity" or not.  Basically.  i still can't believe she said that, but I still find myself trying to figure out if it is in fact "uppity" to want my entire reception to be uniform and beautiful...

fallbride1109

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_chair-covers-sashes-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:011e4d74-fa05-4e64-b8d7-4c6eefb3313bPost:ea167c3b-779e-487e-9652-8588a512f40a">Re: Chair Covers/ Sashes</a>:
[QUOTE]The budget is not the issue at all luckily.  Its really come down to whether or not wanting chair covers is "uppity" or not.  Basically.  i still can't believe she said that, but <strong>I still find myself trying to figure out if it is in fact "uppity"</strong> to want my entire reception to be uniform and beautiful...
Posted by bbrown185[/QUOTE]

Of course not.  Just tell her nicely that it is something that you would prefer and have budgeted for.

lthom17

Honestly, I didn't even notice the chairs at my engagement party until I looked at photos of them during wedding planning mode.  Your chairs don't sound like they would clash, but you may not like the color...  Do what you want though--getting chairs for wedding is def. the norm, but those who choose not to get them save a hefty sum. 

FYI, your prices sound high for the chairs--do you think you could buy covers & sashes online for less than $5 pp?  Your caterer may also be able to get you a better deal.

colstj1

I personally feel as though chair covers and sashes can change the look of a room! They can make a room look so elegant and tie in your colors.  So, if you have the money for them, go for it.

Allycat11

Honestly I am that person, and I notice chairs.  Even before I was planning a wedding I noticed those things.  If it's in your budget, go for it.  If not, it's not the end of the world.

sklink0486

Having chair covers is not uppity (spelling?) so if you want them, I say go for it. If money is not an issue, and you don't like the chairs and it will be something that will bother you, then cover them.

lkirby85

It doesn't sound like the colors of the chairs will totally clash with your event BUT if you have money in the budget for it and think it will look better than go for it and cover them! 

While I wouldn't want to upset the FMIL, I think this is one of those times where you need to agree to disagree. Kindly point out that you bet her party was a blast and looked great but that you have a different image in mind for your big event. 

Maybe if she is concerned about your budget for you, maybe even for good reason, opt for just the covers from the venue and then the two of you can create a special sash yourselves to accent the chairs and make them more personal.

will47

I have always disliked chair covers (and did notice them at people's weddings even before getting involved in my own), but the chairs at our venue are also horribly ugly, and I think if we brought in the ceremony chairs, it might not be that comfortable for people.

I think bare chairs look much nicer. I did actually consider renting different chairs, but my fiancée thought that was too over the top.