Mandap Chairs and Wedding Furniture: What to Buy for a Hindu Wedding

Chairs look like a small detail until the ceremony starts. The couple sit in them for the best part of an hour, and they appear in almost every photo. Here is how to choose seating for a Hindu wedding mandap.

Who sits where

Ask your priest and your families before you buy or rent anything. A typical setup includes:

• Two chairs for the couple, side by side at the front of the mandap
• Seats for the parents or other close family, usually to the sides
• A place for the priest, which may be a chair, a low seat or a cushion, depending on the family and the priest

Count the seats first, then check the mandap is big enough to hold them with room to move.

What makes a good mandap chair

• Width. Wedding clothes are voluminous. Look for a seat and arms wide enough for a lehenga or sherwani.
• Back height. A tall carved back looks grand, but check it does not clash with the pillars or crowd the roof.
• Comfort. The couple will be seated a long time. A padded seat helps.
• Finish. Match the wood or gold finish to the mandap pillars so the set looks planned.
• Sturdiness. Carved arms and legs should be solid. Ask how the chair is built and how it is packed for shipping.

Styles

• Maharaja chair. A high-backed, carved wooden chair with a padded seat. It suits traditional and royal-themed mandaps. See our Maharaja Wedding Chair.
• Royal sofa. A wider seat for a couple, which some families prefer for the reception stage. See the Royal Wedding Sofa.
• Swing (jhula). Used for photo shoots, haldi and some ceremonies. See the Wedding Swing (Jhula).
• Doli. A traditional palanquin, sometimes used for the bride's entrance. See the Wedding Doli.

Upholstery and color

Choose upholstery in a color that works with the flowers, drapes and the outfits. Cream, gold, red and maroon are common. If your palette is unusual, tell us when you ask for a quote and we will confirm the fabric options.

Buy or rent?

Chairs are easy to rent from event companies, and many decorators include them in a package. Buying makes sense if you will reuse them for family events, you are a decorator, or you want a matching set with your mandap. Buying also gives you a say in the finish and fabric. Our buy or rent guide explains how to compare.

Planning checklist

1. Confirm who sits at the mandap and how many chairs you need.
2. Measure the mandap interior and leave walking room.
3. Pick a style and finish that match the pillars.
4. Choose upholstery for the color palette.
5. Plan delivery so the chairs arrive before the event, not on the morning of.

See all wedding furniture or send us your plans, and we will quote the chairs together with your mandap.