Are chair covers necessary?

Everyone has already recommended putting the money towards food but since you're insistent that you don't need more food at 8pm, then I would suggest putting the money towards seats for everyone coming just in case they don't want to be on their feet all night.

Instead of chair covers and linens I would rent more chairs; I would also suggest serving more than popcorn and dessert. Maybe some savory snacks-mini grilled cheese soup shooters pork sliders chicken satay

We are having them for the metal chairs because we had room in our budget and I didn't like the look of the metal chairs without them. In your case, I would skip them and put it towards more food

Agreed w/ PPs that as a guest I would be grateful for at least some snack/apps aside from dessert & popcorn, even some pizza could be a good, inexpensive option?

Regarding your question... how rusty are the chairs? I would hate to come dressed up nice (or even casually, really) and feel like I was going to get a rust stain on my clothes. You said they are available to rent from the venue, do you have the option to rent through an outside company instead? That way you could just rent (enough for everyone) nicer looking chairs that would not require a cover? I'm not a huge fan of covers in general.

Ditch the chair covers and get some more chairs! There needs to be enough chairs for every single person. No question about it. Also snacks! As a guest I would feel so awkward without enough seating and then just desserts would be annoying. Give a little variety especially since you are not doing a dinner and it is a later time...

Skip them and put the money towards food. I can imagine people not eating beforehand and then throwing up dessert because they don’t have enough in their stomach to absorb the alcohol. My wedding isn’t at a meal time either and there will still be actual food.

I think you are fine to go without chair covers! One less thing to worry over! Definitely not something I remember about other's weddings. I am going to opt out of them myself for mine!

I would leave the chair covers and definitely rent more chairs for everyone. I use a cane, but when i got to formal events, i leave it in the car. I definitely wouldn't ask a grandma to move so i could sit down, but i would really appreciate knowing there was a chair for me (and everyone else). If you don't wanna do more food, that's fine but i would skip the chair covers and definitely get more chairs

No chair covers. But it's really important to have a chair for every single person. Also please consider adding some apps. I would be blacked out if all I had was booze and cake.

I’ve always thought chair covers were butt ugly, and in your case I would definitely say no, since they wouldn’t match your decor or style.

I would save the money.....and use it to rent more chairs so that everyone has a seat.

I’m imagining the lighting will be low since the wedding is so late so I wouldn’t waste my money on chair covers. Besides, I’ve never once heard anyone rave about awesome chair covers at a wedding