What are some good & less costly alternatives to Chiavari chairs?

I love the look of Chiavari chairs. We're using them for our ceremony and reception as I think they are very elegant. Luckily we were able to negotiate with the venue to get them thrown in to our package (but we need only 80 chairs). If you really like them you should look around at a few rental places in your area. But I think the $1400 for 200 is reasonable. The quotes here in Boston was $10/chair.

Yea definitely we will shop around. But you know as with any large Metro area (DC/NoVa), the herd loves to gauge you en masse

Thanks Andrene.

Yikes, that's expensive. I looooove Chiavari chairs too, but that's where I drew the line. Our venue's chairs aren't fantastic, but they're not ugly either, so we're just sticking with them. I hate the idea of chair covers, and people won't remember what their butts are on anyway.

Rosie, totally agree, my fiance basically calls them props.

Many people apparently want them for show not comfort.

Well I think that's about the going rate. There aren't many chair rental options. It's chiavari chairs or folding chairs in either wood, plastic or metal.

The venue I had my wedding at had wood garden chairs and I don't think anyone complained that they weren't Chiavari chairs. They looked similar to this...

ABZ Rentals has gold Chiavari chairs for rent for $4.50 each.

Thanks 2d bride - all info is good info

I also love chiavari chairs and don't care for sheets. But, at that price, I would deal with the clubby chairs. If your other decor is spectacular, I don't think anyone will notice the chairs.

Yeah - our country club theme may allow us to have White wooden chairs. Nice idea: Konichiwa!

I think I may be the only one who cannot stand chiavari chairs. I took one look at them and knew my family (all over six feet and nobody skinny) would break five or six just looking at them crosseyed.

Really, the only time anyone will notice the chairs at all is when they first walk in the room and see the general decor. As long as they're not beaten up wardhouse aluminum folding chairs, I'd say you could do just about any kind of chair you want.

@Miss Michal: Ah, yes, I knew there was a reason we got chair covers. We had the beaten up aluminum folding chairs. And just to make things even more fun, those were mixed with banquet chairs, so they didn't even match.

I love the chair covers. pulls the room together, not just for first glance but for all the pictures and video taken throughout the reception! Was worth every dollar and nowhere near the rental of those chairs.