Buyer guides
The three event chairs clients ask for most, and how to build a rental fleet around them
Chiavari for formal events, cross-back for gardens and barns, folding for everything else. Why these styles lead wedding and event rentals, and how a rental company can cover all three without filling the warehouse.
The problem
A rental company earns money only when a chair leaves the warehouse. Buy the wrong style, and it sits on a shelf. Buy every style, and the warehouse is full and the finishes never match.
So which chairs do clients actually ask for?
What the wedding industry says
WeddingWire, one of the largest wedding planning sites, lists the styles couples rent most (source 1):
- Chiavari chairs are "one of the most popular wedding chair styles", used most at traditional and formal events. They are often left bare or dressed with covers, in natural wood, neutral or metallic finishes.
- Cross-back chairs are "one of the most popular wedding chair rental styles for farms, gardens, vineyards, and barn venues". They have a Tuscan look, a natural wood finish and an "X" on the back.
- Folding chairs are "a popular option for any wedding style". Wooden folding chairs suit informal weddings and add a touch of class "without too much fuss".
Three styles, three moods: formal, rustic and flexible.
How to build a fleet that rents
- Start with the three moods. One formal chair (Chiavari or Napoleon), one rustic chair (cross-back), one folding chair. That covers most bookings.
- Limit the finishes. Gold and silver for formal, natural wood for rustic. Two or three finishes in total means any chair can join any order.
- Check stacking and transport. Ask every supplier how many chairs fit in one stack, on one trolley and in one van, for the exact model. Our banquet chair guide has the full checklist.
- Plan seat pads and covers. If your chairs use loose seat pads, keep them in bags so they stay clean between events.
- Count by tables. A 183 cm round table seats about 10 guests. Our seating planner turns a guest list into tables and chairs.
Where RikoStyle fits
We make all three styles in solid beech (source 2):
| Model | Style | Seat height | Width | Stacking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chivari UK chair | Formal | 510 mm | 410 mm | Yes |
| Chivari USA chair | Formal | 510 mm | 410 mm | Yes |
| Napoleon chair | Formal | 510 mm | 420 mm | Yes |
| Emotion chair | Rustic cross-back | 500 mm | 380 mm | Yes |
| Michelle folding chair | Flexible | 500 mm | 400 mm | Folds |
Our banquet chairs come in 8 frame finishes: Green Gold, Red Gold, Silver, White, Black, Mahogany, Natural and Lime wash. We also make trolleys for stacking and folding chairs, and bags for seat pads.
We offer this range to event rental companies, hotels with ballrooms, furniture retailers and importers, interior designers, restaurant owners and care homes, and we are looking for long-term partners in each of these groups.
Sources
- WeddingWire, 18 types of wedding chairs to add to your event rental list, Samantha Iacia (26 May 2021): https://weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/11-popular-wedding-chair-styles
- RikoStyle product data as published on rikostyle.com, November 2026.
- WebstaurantStore, How many people can different size tables seat: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/115/how-many-people-can-different-size-tables-seat-comfortably.html
