Boring to Beautiful: How to Decorate Metal Folding Chairs for a Wedding

Metal folding chairs are a classic used in a variety of weddings. They’re a budget-friendly option, easy to set up and take down, and take up less room than most other chair types.

A metal folding chair can typically be rented for roughly $1,50 a day per chair. All other chair types (folding or not) usually range from $2.75 - $5.00 per chair per day. If you plan on renting 100 chairs for your guests, you’re saving a minimum of $125-$150 on chairs. That’s a pretty significant difference.

But with positives comes negatives. Let’s face it: undecorated metal chairs are not the most beautiful option. When set up without decorations, they can look cheap, out-of-place, or throw off the whole wedding theme look.

On top of that, they also have minimal style or formality. Undecorated metal chairs are just kind of “blah.” But don’t get us wrong, they are a great option. Metal chairs are so versatile and can be tailored to nearly any wedding theme or event type.

But, they will serve your wedding ceremony or reception much better with some thoughtful decorations and decor planning. Luckily, there are so many different ways you can decorate metal chairs: cushions, bows, ribbon, flowers; you name it, you can do it.

Let’s get into how to decorate metal folding chairs for a wedding and look into all decoration and planning options.

Understanding the Wedding Theme and Venue

Before we get into specifics, there are a few things to keep in mind when deciding how to decorate metal chairs for your wedding.

Chair Decor and Your Wedding Theme - It’s easy to get distracted by all the lovely decoration options you can choose for your wedding. But it’s vital to ensure any decor ideas align with your wedding theme. If you’re going with an elegant, modern wedding, choose metal chair decorations that speak to new-aged designs and colors. If you’re opting for a rustic wedding theme, make sure you choose colors and textures that align with a rustic vision. Chair decor is something that will draw eyes quickly, so it’s essential to hold true to your theme throughout your planning and decoration process.

Indoor Vs. Outdoor Set Up - Your metal fold chair decorations also depend on where your ceremony or reception is located. An indoor event gives you the freedom to use nearly any decoration type, fabric, or look. An outdoor event requires more caution for weather, wind, and durability. If your event is outdoors, there are certain fabrics or items you may not want to use in the case of rain or wind. Small items that are hard to secure on a chair could blow away. A certain fabric for a chair sash or ribbon could be ruined in the rain. Therefore, it’s always important to consider these factors when selecting decorations for your chairs.

Chair Covers: Transforming the Ordinary

If you’re looking to utilize a large chair transformation or want to cover the metal folding chairs completely, chair covers are the way to go.

Chair covers are some of the easiest and most dramatic decoration ideas. Chair covers typically come in fabrics like satin, polyester, or spandex. They can also be made, rented, or purchased in nearly any color you desire.

Chair covers fit most wedding themes, but they are especially well-put in traditional, holiday, elegant, or outdoor weddings or receptions. They provide color and decoration while showing the chairs as one seamless piece.

If you’re hosting an elegant wedding, consider a satin chair cover to provide the proper texture and silky look. If you’re hosting an outdoor wedding, consider a breathable fabric, such as spandex, to allow your guests comfort from heat or humidity.

As mentioned before, wedding chair covers are so easy to implement and clean up. You simply take the chair cover and stretch it over the chair until it covers the seat, the backrest, and the legs. Pull and push the fabric to smooth it out over the chair, and you’re done. It’s as simple as that!

Accessorizing with Chair Ties and Sashes

Chair ties or sashes are some of the most versatile decorations for chairs. You can choose any fabric, color, design, or execution that fits your vision and wedding theme. They are elegant, beautiful, and, most of all, easy!

When thinking about ties or sashes, there’s a few decisions to make:

Fabric Type - What fabric type do you want to purchase or rent? For budget-friendly options, consider fabrics like satin, cotton, or polyester. For a more elegant approach, fabrics like chiffon and matte satin create the perfect look. For a rustic vibe, grab some burlap fabric to seal the deal. Fabric types are important, as they directly affect costs and the overall wedding look.
Sash and Ties Styles - There’s so many unique ways to tie fabric or create sashes, and it’s all based on two things: the wedding look and your personal preference. There’s tens of designs to choose from, but the most popular ones include the following:
- The Chiavari Style Sash - Where the fabric is secured through the top of the chair and drapes down the back to the ground.
- The Ladder Weave Sash - Where the fabric is stair-stepped through the chair to create a woven look.
- The Side Sash - When the fabric is wrapped completely around the top of the chair and draped over the side, touching the floor.
- A Knot Tie or Bow Tie - A classic look where the fabric is wrapped horizontally around the mid-point of the chair and tied into a round ball on the back of the chair.
- Curly Tie Sash - This design is chic and oh-so-elegant. Pulling from similar designs of wrapping the fabric around the chair, it cinches under the wrap and flairs out to create drama and beauty.

Floral Decorations: Adding a Touch of Nature

Flowers are one of the most elegant and endearing ways to add color, texture, and deign to any chair. When thinking about how to decorate your metal folding chairs for your wedding, flowers should be highly considered.

They draw guests’ eyes to the bright and vibrant colors and patterning and away from the plain metal chairs. Although real flowers are stunning, using DIY artificial flowers can make these decorations more affordable and durable.

Since they will be attached to guest chairs, your attendees will be bumping, touching, or rubbing against these decorations simply by going to and from their chairs or getting comfortable in them.

Constant touching or rubbing could render real flowers completely destroyed and ruin the wedding day look. So, unless you’re completely opposed to fake flowers, they are the best option for chairs.

There’s so many ways you can utilize flowers on a metal chair, including:

Tied to the outer top corner of the chair
Pinned on top of a sash or chair tie
Garland-style flowers can be cascaded down the back or sides of a chair
Attached to a wreath that is secured on the chair

Incorporating Signage for a Personal Touch

Signage is a perfect way to personalize or decorate any wedding. Signage not only adds a signature touch, but it makes your guests feel special and welcomed.

You can add signage in many different ways, including:

A sign on the seat of each chair
Hanging signs on the back of each chair
Signs tied to each chair with fabric

Signage also doesn’t have to only have a guests’ name on it. You can add personalized messages, such as “thank you for celebrating with us” or “the Smith’s wedding”.

Unique Metal Wedding Chair Decoration Ideas

Flowers, sashes, and chair covers are all great ways to decorate a metal folding chair for a wedding. But if you’re looking for an idea or design not seen everyday, you’ll want some unique decoration ideas.

Macrame

Macrame is so perfect for a bohemian or beach wedding. It’s beautifully designed, comes in many different patterns, and best of all: it’s pretty cheap. Macrame can be hung off the back of your metal chairs, used as a sheath for the chair, and more.

Vine Garlands

two gold chairs with vine garland hanging off the back — Vine garland chairs by Save-On-Crafts

For rustic or outdoor weddings, vine garlands are the perfect mix of nature and beauty. You can incorporate them with or without flowers. Run them along the length of your metal wedding chairs or tie them in a pattern onto the chair.

Cushions

an event set up with chairs, a large table, and dinnerware — Chair cushions by Blossom Furnishings

If we’re being honest, metal chairs are not the most comfortable place for our bottoms. There’s no better way to enhance your guests’ comfort and add color than utilizing some chair cushions. They can be rented for a pretty affordable price or you can shop your local craft store for sales on small cushions.

Personalized Cut-Outs

two chairs with a man and a woman's silhouette pictures hanging off the back — Hanging Cut-Outs by Olivia Leigh Weddings

This may not suit every couple, but it’s the ultimate personalized touch: small cut-outs of you and your partner-to-be. You can shop online for businesses that make small cardboard cut-outs. You can get them made to hang off the back of the chairs or to sit on the ground.

Many places offer regular real life versions, animated or cartoon options, and silhouette versions.

Stickers or Decals

two chairs at a table with a "B" decal on the back of each chair — Chair decals by Dali Decals

This is a cute and affordable way to add images of you and your partner, flowers, or themed decorations to your chairs without having to put a lot of work into setting it up.

Fairy Lights

Fairy lights are adorable, romantic, and magical. They typically come in large packs for under $50, so they more affordable than most decoration options and add a level of wedding magic to each guests’ chair. You can use these in so many styles, including threading them inside of sashes, adding them to flowers, or weaving them through the chairs on their own.

Final Thoughts

Creativity is a beautiful thing. It offers us a chance to design, decorate, and envision nearly anything we please. So get creative when planning how to decorate the metal folding chairs for your wedding. Go crazy or stay minimal. Consider your theme and blend your colors and fabrics with grace.

Do whatever makes your day feel special and right to you.