Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

K
Devoted September 2018

Chiavari Chair - Weight Limit?

kNrYwC, on April 4, 2018 at 4:41 PM Posted in Planning 0 18

Hi All -

My venue provides Chiavari chairs for both ceremony/reception. I'm wondering if anyone has been able to figure out the weight limit for the chairs? (They look so dainty!) I'm trying to get the manufacturer and materials of the chair from our venue to figure it out myself but all I get from them is "they're working on it" and we can discuss at our planning meeting in July. I have three guests whose weight I am worried about. The heaviest of the three is just shy of 400 pounds.

Has anyone had any experience with this? The three people I am concerned about are all immediate family (sister & two brother-in-laws) - I don't mind paying the fee if a chair is broken, I just don't want anyone to be embarrassed if it should happen.

Would you protectively provide a different chair for each of the three or take your chances? If a different chair is provided how would you handle letting them know?

**We are all attending a wedding in May where I assume Chiavari chairs will be used - but unsure if it will be the same manufacturer/material - do you think it's okay to use that as a weight limit trial run?

Thanks in advance!

18 Comments

Latest activity by MOBAMYJ, on April 5, 2018 at 8:26 AM
  • Kaye
    VIP October 2018
    Kaye ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    You are so kind to be worried. I wish I knew the answer. A different chair might be the way to go
    • Reply
  • Preslee
    Expert May 2019
    Preslee ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I did some google searching for you; and most websites suggest 300 lbs TOPS on Chiavari chairs. You are so sweet to have thought of this. Good luck, girl

    • Reply
  • earias
    Champion December 2017
    earias ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I think it depends on the manufacturer but at my 1st wedding I was told 250 pounds. I had a guest that was over that weight and there were no problems.
    • Reply
  • EM
    Master April 2017
    EM ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    If you are really concerned about this, you could check with your venue about the chair manufacturer so you can contact them to ask. Most chair manufacturers have a weight limit specified somewhere I would guess.

    I think it would be uber awkward for only three people to have different chairs, especially since I'm guessing everyone will know why they don't have the same chairs as everyone else. Not sure how you would do that without offending or drawing attention to it.

    • Reply
  • B
    Dedicated October 2018
    Brittney ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    If the weight limit does end up being an issue, I don't think you should get them special chairs because that would likely also be embarrassing for them. I think you will need to choose a different chair for everyone. It is very kind of you to think about this.
    • Reply
  • FutureMrsR-M
    Expert August 2020
    FutureMrsR-M ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I would be less concerned with the fee and more concerned with the injuries that your guests could get from falling out of a broken chair (I’m imagining horrible impalements). Maybe it would be possible to change just the chairs at the tables these guests are sitting at? I know you wouldn’t want to single out these guests, but it would be far better to be safe and comfortable than be sitting in a different chair. I also think people wouldn’t really notice. I have two grandparents that are very overweight from health issues, and I would 100% get them different chair. No one would bat an eye at it.
    • Reply
  • Forestwed
    Master May 2018
    Forestwed ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Could you provide sturdier, nicer chairs for all immediate family so they don’t feel awkward?
    • Reply
  • muriel
    Champion June 2018
    muriel ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    The pp made the best suggestion. If you need to get sturdier chairs for those three people, either change the chairs for everyone, or at least for all the immediate family. It would be insensitive to have only those 3 people in different chairs.

    • Reply
  • Rachel
    Super May 2018
    Rachel ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Alternative suggestion: see if the manufacturer makes a reinforced chair in the same model/ make as the ones being used. That way they will look the same, but you are definitely not the first couple to deal with this question, so the manufacturer probably will know something specific about what to do.

    • Reply
  • BohoRN2017
    Expert November 2017
    BohoRN2017 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Yes we dealt with this issue. We have a family friend whose weight can vary 300-330 (edema). When doing my research it was a max of 300lb for chiavari. This guest also had knee issues so when standing she often did this rocking motion which I know applies even more force. If she was to fall it could be life threatening.

    Events we hosted we always provide her a more old school banquet chair, I always tried to have her seating by a wall so it's less noticeable. I always just said I got her the "better" chair due to her knees. She's always been very appreciative of this.

    • Reply
  • Amy
    Devoted July 2018
    Amy ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    OP specifically stated she was not concerned about the possible fee

    "I don't mind paying the fee if a chair is broken, I just don't want anyone to be embarrassed if it should happen."

    • Reply
  • tmanscavo
    Dedicated May 2019
    tmanscavo ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Sometimes the chairs are just old too. FH spent an entire wedding practically hovering above a chiavari chair when he was pushing 250lbs because it was definitely about to give out. If the facility maintains them pretty well, that could make a big difference.

    • Reply
  • LaraLouM
    Super May 2019
    LaraLouM ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    I agree with Muriel, if the chairs need to be switched it would be insensitive to do so for only 3 guests. Best to switch them for the whole wedding, or do like an every other table mismatched thing.
    • Reply
  • Dancingonwater
    Devoted August 2018
    Dancingonwater ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    So I have a semi similar issue. However, along with their weight the people that would be sitting in the chair have mobility issues (not caused by weight, caused my knee/ankle injuries where the joint does not move typically). I have just asked my venue to have 2 of their non Chiavari chairs (that they use in their restaurant and were the chairs that I saw when booking two years ago) for these individuals. This way they feel stable sitting at the table and getting up/down. I bet I will have to remind them of this several times, but this could be another option for your venue if they have other chairs available.


    • Reply
  • amandaaok
    VIP June 2018
    amandaaok ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I really hate that Chivari chairs have become such a trend...theyre not comfortable even if you are thin!! As a guest, if possible to switch all the chairs that would be my preference. I'm well under 300lbs and I would be uncomfortable sitting in those chairs for any period of time.

    Also even if thinner if you carry your weight in hips/thighs, those chairs tend to be extra uncomfortable....
    • Reply
  • K
    Devoted September 2018
    kNrYwC ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Thank you, all.

    I just contacted the venue about reinforced Chiavari Chairs - and to see what other chair rental options may be.

    • Reply
  • Bianca
    Super August 2019
    Bianca ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I don’t have advice on how to go about with the chairs, but at FH cousins wedding, they used wooden folding chairs and several of them buckled under some of the heavier guests. I honestly can’t figure out if that’s more embarrassing or if a special chair would have been.

    Good luck on solving your problem. You’re so considerate!
    • Reply
  • M
    Savvy October 2018
    MOBAMYJ ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I, size 18-20 with a big bottom and my size 2 daughter both find those chairs so awfully uncomfortable. One of the venues we visited had us sit at them while they gave their presentation to us and I could hardly wait to get done with it. They did not have chair pads on them so that might be part of the problem. I was embarrassed and worried that I was too overweight for them and I am not struggling with weight near as much as your important guests.

    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×


WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Learn more

Rockstars

  • D
    Getting married in 07/03/2025

Groups

WeddingWire article topics