Ghost Chair Rental in Chicago: Delivery, Care and What to Expect

You may already know you like the look. Clear chairs let florals, linens and the room itself carry the design. This post is about the part nobody photographs: how ghost chairs behave when they arrive on a truck, sit in a Chicago ballroom or on a lawn, and leave again at the end of the night. For styling ideas, see our guide to ghost chairs in wedding styling. Here we cover logistics.

What you are renting

Our ghost chair is a Louis-style acrylic chair with a molded back. It is available in clear and smoke. It stacks, it is outdoor-friendly in the catalog, and it has no cushion. If guests need one, ask us whether a flat pad is possible for your order.

Acrylic has a few traits you should know about before you order:

• It shows fingerprints and dust. Every chair needs a quick wipe before guests sit.
• It scratches more easily than wood or metal. A small scuff on a clear chair is visible in photos, which is why rental companies set aside a few spares.
• It reflects light. Under a sunny tent, clear chairs sparkle; under a flash, they can glare in photos.
• It is slick. Long dresses and satin slip a little. Most guests do not notice.

Ghost chairs in the sun and the cold

Acrylic warms up fast in direct sun, and a chair left in July sun on a Chicago patio can be uncomfortable to sit on for a few minutes. Cold is gentler, but acrylic becomes stiffer when it is cold, so rough handling matters more in winter.

Grass, gravel and decks

Ghost chairs have slim legs, and slim legs sink. On a wet lawn, the back legs press into the turf and the chair tilts. Fix it with one of these:

1. Choose a firm, flat area for the seating block.
2. Lay down ground protection, rental flooring or plywood under the aisle and chair rows.
3. Use a different style for the part of the event that sits on soft ground. Our guide to chairs on grass, sand and gravel explains why.

Hard surfaces such as ballroom floors, patios and tent flooring are ideal.

How many extras to order

Order your guest count plus the head table, plus one or two spares per 50 chairs. That is a common planner's rule of thumb rather than a hard standard. The spares cover guests who spill on a chair, a chair with a visible scuff and last-minute RSVPs.

Cleaning and what counts as damage

Ghost chairs come back with fingerprints, frosting and the occasional lipstick. Normal dirt is part of renting. What costs money is a crack, a deep scratch or a missing part. Ask any rental company, including us, for its damage policy before you sign, and look at the chairs when they arrive. Our guide to how to spot a quality rental chair covers what to check.

Do not use abrasive cleaners or paper towels on acrylic. A soft cloth and a damp wipe is all it needs.

Ghost chair versus other options

If you want clean lines without the glassy look, a shell chair in white or a gold infinity chair are the usual alternatives. If you want a clear chair for the ceremony and something warmer for dinner, ceremony versus reception chairs explains how to split the order.

Delivery and timing in the Chicago area

Delivery windows depend on your venue's rules, not just on us. Downtown Chicago buildings often have specific freight elevator and loading dock schedules, and some require insurance paperwork before a vendor can enter. Suburban venues are usually simpler but can have their own load-in times. Ask your venue early, and ask for their load-in rules in writing.

Plan your ghost chair order

Book a free 15-minute seating call and we will go through your venue, floor and guest count, or request a quote when you know your date.