What's all this about chiavari chairs?

Updated Feb. 28, 2020

Are you asking yourself what the big deal is with chiavari chairs?  Well, you’re not the only one, but let’s just say they’re popular, if not the most popular wedding and event chairs. Here’s a quick rundown to bring you up to speed...

What’s so special about these chivar, charvari, or however it’s pronounced?

Chiavari chairs have become the standard for elegant event seating. Seen at weddings, award shows, and banquets, chiavaris help create an iconic look that is difficult to duplicate with just about any other seating option.

Part of the success of the chiavari chair is not only due to looks, but due to its stackability and narrow footprint, which makes the chiavari chair perfect rental companies and event venues.

These days, customers have more choices than ever with the introduction of aluminum and resin chiavari chairs. Many misspellings are common, including chavary chairschivari chairs and chavari chairs.

On top of fancy looks, chiavari chairs have been well adopted by rental companies because of the features mentioned. 

Seat sizes are narrow - this saves warehouse space and space around a table. It also looks more elegant than bulky wide chairs.

chiavari chairs set up on the beachchiavari chairs set up on the beach
Chiavari chairs on the beach. Always a fun set up.

Pronouncing "Chiavari"

Recently on Youtube, a real Italian mentioned we have been saying it wrong this whole time.

If you want to sound genuine, you should apparently be saying CHEE-AH-VARI!

Why are they so popular?

Chiavaris have become the most popular choice for elegant, special event seating due to their use at large-scale formal events such as the Oscars and high-profile celebrity weddings. These days every bride wishes to seat her guests in this perfect event chair.

While brides have certainly helped fuel the demand for these chairs because they like the appearance, but the real success of the chiavari chairs is due to the design. You’ll find that most chiavari chairs for sale have similar dimensions to give the chair a narrow footprint, and thus the capability of seating many guests around a table.

Then when it comes time to move the chairs, the cushion is removed and the chairs are stacked and easily transported. This can be done by hand or using a special chiavari chair dolly

So who buys chiavari chairs?

Party rental companies, hotels, and wedding venues all buy chiavari chairs for the reasons listed above.  Most of all though, their clients want them.  You won’t find many brides who wouldn’t want to have chiavari chairs in their wedding.

Rental companies and venues alike get a high return on their investment. Whether that means a high rental rate to quickly recapture the purchase price, or making the venue that much more appealing thus booking more events, chiavari chairs can be a fantastic asset in your inventory. 

Fancy set up with gold chiavari chairsFancy set up with gold chiavari chairs
When you're going all out on an event with high-end table decor, luxury linens and specialty lighting, chiavari chairs are the only way to go around the table

OK, I need them. Which kind shoud I get?

When shopping for wholesale chiavari chairs, many rental companies are faced with a difficult decision whether to choose wood, aluminum or resin chiavari chairs. Each different product has its benefits which should be considered along with the application of the chair. Here are a few points to help you decide.

  • Warmth of real wood
  • Easy to refinish if necessary
  • Available in most amount of colors
  • Extremely durable
  • Heavier weight
  • Strongest chiavari chairs
  • Stack closer together than wood or resin
  • Save floor space when stacked
  • Very lightweight

For an even more in-depth look at the differences between chiavari chair materials, read our article: difference between resin and wood chiavari chairs.

Once you’ve made the decision on materials, you can decide on the style of cushion. Currently, all our chiavari chairs are shipped with either a free soft box cushion or a vinyl wood-backed cushion. More decisions to make, but we've made another video to help you decide here. At least you’ve made the most important decision, and that is to buy your chiavari chairs at wholesale prices from EventStable.com.