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All events need tables and chairs for them to be a success. It is important to add variety as well as décor to make them stand out as a stunning visual at your wedding.
Hiring chairs and tables unfortunately do come with a price and renting these items can still make a dent in your pocket. But what kind of dent are you looking at, and are all chairs and tables the same price to hire?
In this article, we will look at the most common types of chairs and tables that are used at weddings, as well as a general price range of how much they cost to rent. We will also give you some tips and advice on chair and table hire for your special day.
The Benefits of Renting Chairs and Tables for Your Wedding
You may be deciding on whether or not to rent or to buy chairs and tables for your wedding, but unless you are likely to use them again for other functions it is important to consider the following:
Renting Can Save You Money
It is better to rent than to buy, especially if you are going to be using the chairs and tables for one function only.
If you were to buy these chairs and tables it would be extremely costly, and you would still have to find a place to store everything after the wedding.
The Rental Company Delivers and Sets Up for You
Having your hired chairs and tables delivered to the venue for your wedding will save you both time and effort.
After all, you are going to have many other things to take care of on the day of your wedding. Why should you have to worry about fetching and setting up tables and chairs?
They Are Perfect for Big and Small Weddings
Renting chairs and tables is a good option for both big and small weddings and gives you the ability to accommodate any number of guests.
They are Maintenance Free
When the rental chairs are delivered, they will be clean and ready for use without you having to get them sorted out before the big event.
Types of Wedding Chairs
Folding Metal Chairs Or Plastic Chairs
Folding chairs are used for areas where permanent seating is not possible such as garden weddings.
These chairs can be used for both indoor and outdoor events. Such events can include:
- Wedding & birthday events
- Funerals
- Competitions & sporting events
- Graduations
- Festivals
- Business conferences
These chairs are made of plastic and are the most economical option if you are looking at hiring chairs for your wedding.
They are made with a durable frame complimented by a plastic seat and backrest and can be sat on comfortably for long periods.
Just because these chairs are a cheaper option, it does not mean that they can’t be decorated beautifully to fit in with your wedding theme.
Tulle is a wonderful material to use when it comes to decorating these types of chairs. You can use tulle to make bows, fold them into a variety of shapes or even let it just flow down the back of the chair.
Sashes can also be used to decorate folding chairs.
Chair covers are another option that can be used to cover these chairs and you are often able to hire them from the same place that you hire the chairs from.
Rental pricing for these types of chairs can range anywhere between $1.00 and $2.00 per chair.
Resin and Wooden Chairs
These chairs have an arched back design with padded seating and are extremely comfortable.
These chairs can be used at both the ceremony and your reception and can easily be moved from one area to another.
These chairs are elegant and durable and are not prone to weakness as they are made from natural wood grain.
If you are looking for an elegant yet durable chair for your wedding, then resin and wooden chairs are the way to go.
Ways to Decorate Resin and Wooden Chairs
There are many ways to decorate your hired resin or wooden chairs for your wedding.
- Use ribbon to decorate the chairs
- Use fabric to cover the chairs
- Add pearls or diamantes to the chairs
- Decorate the chairs with flowers
- For a rustic-themed wedding use lace and burlap
The rental pricing of Resin and Wooden chairs can vary between $2.00 – $3.50 per chair.
Bamboo Chairs
Bamboo chairs are one of the most popular styles when it comes to weddings. These chairs can be found in natural wood colors, neutral colors, or even metallic colors.
These chairs are very often used for more traditional weddings and formal events. The nice thing about these chairs is that they can be left bare, or you can cover them with chair covers.
Rental Pricing Between $5.50 and $7.00 per chair.
Bistro Or Banquet Chairs and Chair Covers
These chairs are ideal for weddings and are light enough to be folded or stacked. They have no armrests and are perfect for weddings, funerals, and banquets.
Banquet chairs can also be found in many country clubs, restaurants, and hotels.
Banquet chairs can be hired in all types of dimensions with some having higher backs and others having lower backs.
When using banquet chairs for your wedding it is important to consider their measurements to make sure that they are going to fit properly into your wedding layout as well as make sure that they are going to fit adequately around the tables that you are going to be using.
These chairs work very well with chair covers and can make your wedding look both elegant and beautiful.
Banquet chairs can be rented for between $4.00 and $5.50 per chair.
Banquet chair covers can cost you $1.50 – $2.00 to rent per cover.
Silver and Gold Chiavari or Tiffany chairs
Chiavari Chairs otherwise known as Tiffany chairs are often used for special celebrations and fancy weddings.
These chairs have a small frame, no arms, and a seat that tends to taper up at the back.
These chairs are a hit when it comes to hosting elegant and elaborate wedding ceremonies and is perfect for larger weddings.
If you can spend a little more on chair rental and want your layout to look stunning, then these are definitely for you!
Most couples these days opt for these kinds of chairs to seat people at their weddings.
Rental pricing for these chairs is between $8.00 – $10.00 per chair.
Types of Wedding Tables
Rectangular 6-foot table
Rectangular tables are the best way to add elegance to your wedding. These tables are also called banquet tables and can accommodate 8 to 10 guests at each table.
These tables are ideal if you want guests to converse and celebrate together. Try not to make your centerpiece too big or it can obscure the ability for guests to see each other from across the table.
You can even connect these tables to make long tables to create the perfect atmosphere for a smaller wedding.
These tables can be complimented even further by table covers that match the theme of your wedding.
The rental price for these tables varies between $8.00 – $10.00 per table.
Round 5-foot table
Another popular table to rent out for a wedding is the round 5-foot table. These tables can seat up to 8 people comfortably and are the perfect addition to your wedding layout.
These tables are commonly used in conference centers and wedding venues and you can decorate them with tablecloths to match the theme of your wedding.
The round 5-foot table is both durable and versatile and commonly used in the hospitality industry.
These round tables are readily available from most hiring companies and allow for maximum capacity in the venue that you have chosen.
Rental pricing for these chairs varies between $9.00 – $11.00 per chair.
Additional Fees that You May Not Know About when Renting Chairs and Tables
Hidden Set-Up and Delivery Costs
When you are looking to hire chairs and tables it is normal to forget about the extra charges that can be invoiced for delivery, setup, and collection after the event.
Most hiring companies usually charge 50% of the total hiring fee upfront, so make sure to have the funds available for the deposit when you are booking these chairs in advance for your upcoming wedding.
Tips to Keep in Mind When Renting Tables and Chairs for Your Wedding
Get More than One Quote
With thousands of chair and table rental companies across the country, you should take some time before making your final decision and get more than one quote from different hiring companies.
Do your homework. Some companies may stock different types of chairs and tables and you don’t want to sign with a rental company and pay a deposit only to find out that there are better-looking and perhaps cheaper rentals at another company.
To find the perfect chair or table to best suit your event you should look for at least three rental companies to see what they have available. By doing this you can get a comparison of pricing as well as quality.
Chose a Chair that Will Fit Your Event and Theme
When looking at rental chairs you should always be sure to choose the type of chair that will best fit the theme of your event.
If you are having a formal wedding that includes a sit-down meal, speeches, and dessert then you need to make sure that you hire comfortable yet elegant chairs for the event.
Transportation Costs
Read the rental agreement carefully before you sign for your chairs.
While some rental companies will deliver and collect the chairs before and after the wedding, others will expect you to return the chairs yourself.
If you have to return the chairs yourself this will come at an extra cost as you would have to hire transportation.
This is not to mention the time and energy that is needed to return the chairs the next day, especially if you have had a big and busy wedding.
Breakage Costs
When reading the contract you should also find out what the procedure would be if a chair is damaged or broken.
It is always better to work with a company that is insured against breakage and damage as you don’t want to land up having to pay up for broken chairs.
Most rental companies work hand in hand with an insurance company that will compensate the rental company should there be any damage to the chairs.
Other Alternatives To Renting Chairs and Tables
Find A Venue That Already Includes Chairs And Tables In Their Prices
When you are looking at venues for your wedding ask them if they allow you to rent chairs and tables for your event.
Many venues already provide tables, chairs, cutlery, and crockery in the total venue rental price at no additional cost.
If you are planning to use a venue that does not normally cater for weddings then there is a good chance that you will have to hire chairs, tables, cutlery, and crockery on your own.
Although this may seem like quite a mission, in the long run, it can be the cheaper option as many wedding venues that include everything can be quite costly.
It is a good idea to weigh up the pros and cons of hiring your own chairs and tables. You can either secure a cheaper venue and hire chairs and tables on your own or make use of a venue that caters specifically for weddings so that you do not have to worry about chair and table rentals.
Use What You Have
This is a great idea if you are planning a small wedding and will save you from having to rent anything at all!
You can use all of your mismatching chairs, stools, couches, and tables and even go so far as to ask friends or family to let you add their chairs and tables to the mix.
If, however, you are looking for elegance and uniformity, then renting chairs would be a better option.