There was a time when the only menu options for vegetarian wedding guests were salad and a meatless pasta dish. Yes, it did the trick, and ensured that all your guests got fed a complete meal. But since there weren’t any real choices to offer a vegetarian wedding menu other than the salad/meatless pasta option, the final wedding menu really wasn’t very creative. And a vegan wedding menu? That wasn’t even an option at all.
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Vegetarianism is not a new concept, and was practiced in Greece in the 6th century BC. And in the United States, the first American vegetarian cookbook Nature’s Own Book, was written in 1835 by Asenath Nicholson, and the vegetarian newspaper The Pleasure Boat began publication 10 years later.
However it wasn’t until the 1980s-1990s that vegetarianism really gained popularity in the U.S., which eventually led to those planning their weddings, and caterers, to rethink their reception menus.
What is Vegetarianism and Veganism?
“Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. . .” ~ The Vegan Society
The Merriam-Webster dictionary definitions are:
veg·e·tar·i·an
a person who does not eat meat : someone whose diet consists wholly of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and sometimes eggs or dairy products.
veg·an
a strict vegetarian who consumes no food (such as meat, eggs, or dairy products) that comes from animals
also : one who abstains from using animal products (such as leather)
Why Choose a Vegan or Vegetarian Wedding Menu
Photo Credit: vector4stock via Freepik
Some people will say because it’s nutritious. Others will say because it’s environmentally friendly. While both are definitely is true, are the nutrition value and environmental benefits really the driving force and deciding factor for choosing any wedding menu? I doubt it.
So why choose this type of menu? Because:
• it offers a delicious and memorable food experience for your guests
Who wants to serve a boring, same-old same-old wedding menu when they can just as easily enhance the experience?
And
• it aligns with your lifestyle values
Your wedding is a reflection of you and your partner. Make wedding planning choices based on what you like. The foods you offer your guests should be no exception.
Ok, some of you may be thinking, “but you just said the ‘nutritional value/environmental benefits aren’t the reason,’ and now you say it ‘aligns with our values.’ So which is it?” It’s both. You aren’t going to plan on a wedding menu for the lower carbon-footprint if you don’t consciously make similar choices on a day to day basis.
How to Create a Vegan or Vegetarian Wedding Menu
The factors used to choose your vegan or vegetarian wedding menu aren’t any different than choosing the more typical meat-based fare.
Decide On Your Meal Presentation & Style
Do you want a plated meal, or is buffet or food stations what you have in mind?
Consider The Season
Rayna Wallen, Lead Designer with Brazen Events says, “Think about when they are hosting their event. Summer and fall typically offer a lot of local and fresh veggies and fruits.”
Photo Credit: Tatiana Goskova via Freepik
Other seasonal entrée options include:
Autumn & Winter
Quinoa Stuffed Eggplant
Enchilada Casserole
Creamy Mushroom StroganoffSpring & Summer
Mexican Stuffed Peppers
Fresh Vegetable Crunchy Rolls with Peanut Sauce
Zucchini Pizza Boats
Photo Credit: Freepik
Select Food With Personal Significance
Colleen Sutton with Richwood on the River notes, “A wedding should be an expression of the couple. Being Vegan is a part of that and inviting guests to venture into something they normally would not can be exciting! Opening one’s eyes to different food’s & possibilities can be fun!” (And I 100% agree!)
Offer Some Familiar Options
Jill Heltman, Sales Manager with Village Pantry Catering states, “Vegetarian and vegan dishes can offer a lot of color and flavor to the meal. You can get adventurous and incorporate some international dishes but don’t forget to include some all-American staples so you don’t ostracize any of your guests who may prefer more traditional cuisine.”
Vegetarian and Vegan Wedding Menu FAQs
Couples are asking:
Is it okay to have a vegetarian or vegan wedding menu at your wedding?
Absolutely! It’s your wedding so you can have a vegetarian reception menu if you want. There is no reason to serve meat or foods that come from animals at your reception. These days, with so many tasty vegetarian and vegan food options, none of your guests will go home hungry, nor feel like all they had was a salad.
What are some good entrees to serve vegetarian guests at wedding?
Jill says, “I love our chickpea stir fry with cilantro lime rice because it’s vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free but also very satisfying and flavorful.”
Rayna mentions, “I always look at Spanish tapas or Indian cuisine for some great flavorful options.”
Photo Credit: virtosmedia via 123RF Free Images
What advice would you give a couple who are vegan/vegetarian regarding their wedding menu?
Jill shares, “If you’d prefer to offer options that will satisfy both meat-eaters and vegetarians, I would recommend station buffets. For example, you can offer a taco bar that has meat, beans and all the toppings, a chili totchos station that has both Cincinnati chili and vegetarian chili to top your tater tots and a veggie station to round it all out. An all-vegetarian menu works well too, as long as there are some gluten-free options. Oftentimes, vegetarian menus consist of pasta and you want to be careful to provide something other than just pasta entrees.”
Colleen recommends “a menu card at the table setting or a large poster/mirror menu informing guests of the food or clearly defined labels as they move through the buffet is a huge help. Having attendants serving a buffet can be helpful too as to explain what everything is.”
Should you tell your guests beforehand that the food at your reception will be vegan/vegetarian?
Colleen suggests not to do so, “until they are at the wedding. Letting them know in the invitation or wedding website opens the door to a flood of comments, questions and suggestions to make the menu otherwise.”
If you plan to serve non-vegan/vegetarian food at your reception, how do you find out if a guest would require a vegan or vegetarian meal?
Your RSVP Card is the perfect place to get this information. Simply add “Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies” and a blank line.
Can vegans eat wedding cake?
Yes, vegan’s can eat wedding cake, but it has to be vegan (no eggs, butter, milk, honey, or refined sugar). Thankfully there are a lot of vegan-friendly ingredients that can be substituted, such as almond or soy milk, vegetable oil or vegan butter, and egg replacers like applesauce or mashed bananas.
Photo Credit: Freepik
What desserts/sweets can vegans eat?
People following a vegan diet can eat any dessert or sweet that does not include any milk or dairy products. This includes, but is not limited to, yogurt, milk, butter, whey, or eggs.
Avocado Fudge Squares is one of Jill’s favorite vegan desserts. She says they “are rich and tasty and you would never know they are vegan.”
What types of candies are vegan?
These candies are considered to be “accidentally” vegan, meaning that they weren’t specifically made to be vegan, but just happen to be free of ingredients that vegans avoid.
Airheads
Brach’s
Dots
Fun Dip
Fruit By the Foot and Fruit Roll-Ups
Jolly Ranchers
Laffy Taffy
Lemonheads
Now and Later
Red Vines
Ring Pops
Skittles
Smarties
Sour Patch Kids
Swedish Fish
Sweet Tarts
Twizzlers
Zotz
What types of sweets are vegan?
These sweets are also “accidentally” vegan.
Oreos
Nutter Butters
Trader Joe’s Maple Leaf Cookies
Fig Newtons
Newman’s Own Sandwich Cookies (Original, Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Vanilla)
Annie’s Bunny Grahams
Keebler’s Vienna Fingers
Teddy Grahams
Vegan Desserts/Treats Found at Trader Joe’s
You can find several vegan sweets and treats, including:
Dark Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Cups
Organic Almond Beverage Chocolate Bar
Créme Sandwich Cookies
Vegan Marshmallows
Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Joe-Joe’s Créme-Filled Cookies
Oat Chocolate Bars
Partake Cookies
Having a vegan/vegetarian diet (or any other dietary requirement) doesn’t end with your wedding reception. Following any type of special diet isn’t hard when you’re at home. But what about your honeymoon (or any vacation)? Check out this additional reading: “A practical guide to travelling as a Vegan.”
Conclusion
Serving a vegan or vegetarian wedding menu is a delicious way to enhance your celebration. And as with any other aspect of your wedding, your wedding menu should be a reflection of you and your partner. Colleen said it best, “simply plan the menu according to your wants/needs . . . create a menu that represents YOU ~ THE COUPLE.”
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
Author of “Wedding Invitations, RSVPs, and More! Oh My!” and “From ‘I Will’ to ‘I Do’”
Have questions about your wedding plans? Contact me today at [email protected] or by phone or text at 937-581-3647!
Great post.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks. I enjoyed working on this post. Learned a lot about creating a vegan and vegetarian wedding menu.
Wonderful advice, Jean! I love how vegan and vegetarian dishes are more accessible nowadays than they were a few years ago. We have a few bakeries in the city that offer gluten-free and dairy-free options, which is wonderful. It’s great to know that you can have a healthy selection that’s also delicious too. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much. With the prevalence of so many different dietary restrictions these days, it really is easier than ever before to accommodate that into a wedding menu.