12 Chiavari Chair Alternatives for a Wedding That Feels Like Yours

The Chiavari chair became the default for a reason. It's light, it stacks, and it looks tidy in a ballroom. But walk into enough Chicagoland receptions and you'll see the same chair, in the same gold, with the same ivory cushion, in almost every one of them.

Seating covers more of your reception floor than almost anything else, which makes the chair one of the biggest design choices you'll make. Here are twelve alternatives and when each one works best.

1. Cross-back chairs

The warm-wood, X-backed chair you've seen all over Pinterest. They suit barns, vineyards and long farm tables, and they look great from behind, which is the angle guests see most. Walnut reads cozy for fall. Black reads modern-rustic.

2. Ghost chairs

Clear acrylic chairs, usually in a Louis-style oval back. They nearly disappear, so your florals, linens and tablescape get the attention. They work well with mirrored tables and all-white palettes.

3. Rattan chairs

Hand-woven texture for boho, garden and tented weddings. Pair them with pampas, terracotta and mismatched glassware.

4. Bentwood bistro chairs

The Parisian café classic. They're romantic and slightly vintage, and they're lovely at intimate dinner-party weddings with taper candles and long tables.

5. Wishbone chairs

Scandinavian design with a Y-shaped back and woven cord seat. Pick these for loft venues, minimalist palettes and design-forward couples.

6. Velvet dining chairs

Jewel-toned, upholstered and comfortable through a long dinner. Emerald or navy velvet looks rich at a winter or black-tie wedding.

7. Infinity chairs

If you like the polish of a ballroom chair but want a less expected shape, the looped back of an infinity chair is a good middle ground.

8. Cane-back chairs

A woven cane panel gives an heirloom, collected feel. They look like they came from an old estate.

9. Windsor spindle chairs

They suit a farmhouse wedding but aren't as common as the cross-back. Antique white or sage reads soft and fresh.

10. Louis medallion chairs

Upholstered French elegance. Use them for the head table, sweetheart table or family seating at the ceremony, even if guests sit in something simpler.

11. Mid-century shell chairs

Molded seats on wood or metal legs. They're comfortable and colorful, and a good fit for rehearsal dinners and modern receptions.

12. Teak garden folding chairs

Outdoor ceremonies don't need white plastic folding chairs. Slatted teak-look folding chairs set up just as fast and look warmer in photos.

How to choose

• Start with your venue. A chair that suits a barn can look out of place in a ballroom.
• Think about the back view. Guests spend dinner looking at the backs of other guests' chairs, so the back matters.
• Mix them. Many couples use one chair for the ceremony, another for the reception and a statement chair for the head table.
• Count comfort. For a 5-hour reception, a cushion matters.

Not sure which style fits you? Take our 30-second style quiz or browse the full collection. Tap ♡ on the chairs you love. Your votes help decide what we stock for our founding season.