So you’re on a tight budget and so far, everything’s going well. You’ve been able to create a beautiful wedding without breaking the couples’ bank account. But now you’ve encountered your first enemy: chairs.
The only chairs their budget permits are cheap, metal folding chairs, and you need to dress them up for as little money as possible. Luckily, metal chairs are extremely versatile. With a little creativity, you can transform them into something special. Here’s how.
Think About the Wedding Venue and Theme
Before you dive headfirst into a DIY project, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Namely, the wedding’s venue and theme.
Venue: Is the venue indoors or outdoors? If it’s indoors, you’re good to go with nearly every decoration material. If it’s outdoors, you’ll need to take potential weather into accountability, including rain and wind. Those delicate fabric drapes you’re eyeing might look stunning under a ceiling but could turn into a tangled mess in a breeze.
Theme: The versatility of metal folding chairs make them perfect for any wedding theme. But you’ll want to make sure the decoration you choose fits the wedding’s vibe. If the wedding theme is rustic, a sleek metallic cover could cramp its style. You’d be better off adding burlap bows or floral garlands to the chair backs.
7 Ways to Dress Up Metal Folding Chairs for a Wedding
Now that you know the theme and weather limitations you’re working with, it’s time to get crafty. Here are seven ways to dress up those boring metal folding chairs:
1. Use Chair Covers
If you want to get rid of the metal chair appearance entirely, chair covers are your best bet. They come in different fabric types, from satin to polyester, so you’re sure to find one that is on-theme. They can also be purchased, rented, or made in any color you can think of.
For a classic or elegant wedding, opt for crisp white or ivory covers. If you’re planning a whimsical garden affair, soft pastels or floral-patterned covers can add a touch of charm. And if the wedding is outdoors, a more breathable fabric like spandex could be much appreciated by your guests.
2. Accessorize Chairs With Ties and Sashes
Chair ties and sashes can also fit with any wedding theme. Budget-friendly materials include satin, polyester, and cotton. If the couple is willing to stretch the budget a bit further, you can also consider fabrics like chiffon or burlap fabric.
There are dozens of sash and tie styles to choose from, but the most popular ones include:
- Bow Tie: The fabric is tied into a neat bow on the back of the chair. A classic and timeless style, perfect for adding a touch of elegance.
- Side Knot: For a more casual look, tie the sash into a knot on the side of the chair back. Great for rustic or beach-themed weddings.
- Weave or Lattice Style: This intricate design weaves the sash through the chair back, creating a textured, eye-catching pattern.
- Chiavari Style Sash: This sophisticated look involves tying the sash vertically down the center of the chair back.
3. Add Floral Decorations
Flowers can add an elegant touch to the wedding, transforming boring folding chairs into colorful, texture-filled pieces. Real flowers can also add a magical scent. But if you’re strapped for cash or want something more durable, artificial flowers are still a great option.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to your creativity, but consider these options for adding floral decorations to metal folding chairs:
- Floral Chair Swags: Drape a small garland of fresh or faux flowers across the back of the chair.
- Bouquet Ties: Attach small bouquets or posies to the side of the chair using ribbon or twine.
- Flower Clips: Use small clips to attach single flowers or small clusters directly to the top or side of the chair back.
- Floral Wreaths: Hang small floral wreaths on the backs of chairs. These are great for adding a touch of elegance and can be personalized with seasonal flowers and greenery.
- Hanging Floral Balls (Pomanders): Suspend spherical arrangements of flowers from the top or side of the chair.
4. Consider Signage or Silhouettes
Don’t leave your metal folding chairs looking empty. You can customize the chairs in a way that will delight your guests and doesn’t cost much.
By adding signage on the seat, fronts, or backs of each chair, you can create personalized reservations or add messages, like “Best Friends Forever” or “Reserved for the Father of the Bride.”
Silhouettes are another way of decorating your bride and groom chairs elegantly.
5. Use Removable Decals
You can add a burst of color on rented metal folding chairs by using removable decals, which can depict things like flowers, geometric patterns, or even monogrammed initials.
6. Create Macramé Patterns
Macramé is perfect for any boho- or beach-themed wedding. You’ll find plenty of pattern tutorials online, but you can also find pre-made options on sites like Etsy if you’re strapped for time. Macramé can be hung on the back of metal folding chairs, draped across the seats, or even tied around chair legs.
7. Don’t Forget Cushions
The look of your metal folding chairs is one thing, but the feel is another. They generally aren’t the most comfortable seats. And especially if the bride and groom have any elderly family members, they’ll want them to be comfortable. Chair cushions are affordable to rent or buy, and tying them around the chair legs is an opportunity to add a little flair, in addition to comfort.
Pro Tip: Use Goodshuffle Pro Accessories
In the process of decorating metal folding chairs, you may notice you’ve got dozens of sashes or ties lying around — how do you keep track of it all?
With Goodshuffle Pro, you can classify add-ons like chair cushions as Accessories to your chairs. Then, when you’re working with clients or building proposals, as soon as you add metal chairs you can easily browse all the options for dressing them up.
And what’s more, you can make sure you don’t have any inventory conflicts on the date of the event, so you don’t over promise a solution and wind up overbooked.
Transform Metal Folding Chairs for Weddings
The beauty of metal chairs is that they’re so customizable. Whatever you dream, you can make it a reality for an affordable cost. After the inspiration in this article, we hope you’re now feeling inspired and ready to transform ordinary metal folding chairs into extraordinary wedding accessories.
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