Planning a Meat-Free Reception Everyone will Enjoy
Planning a wedding is stressful enough, but when you, your spouse, or many of your guests have specific diet needs, it can create even more chaos. Have no fear! We're here to help you figure out the special cuisine and drinking needs on your day. Of course, any good caterer will plenty of great vegetarian and vegan options, but for a smaller affair, or if you will have a hand in the food preparation, consider making a meal that is as accessible as it is delicious.
Where's the beef?
If you or your spouse-to-be is vegetarian or vegan, you should have no qualms about having an all-vegetarian or all-vegan cuisine, but there are also ways to throw your guests "a bone," even if the meals aren't what they'd prefer. For example, if you're having a vegetarian wedding, give your guests choices of one chicken/fish dish, but have more vegetarian options.
Start with these yummy vegetarian appetizers:
- Stuffed Yellow Peppers with Pilau Rice, Currants and Toasted Pine Nuts
- Bruschetta with Goats’ Cheese, Basil and Tomato
- Salt-crusted Mini Baked Potatoes with Cold Chive Hollandaise Sauce
- Warm Lentil Salad with Walnuts and Goat Cheese
- Vegetarian "Sausage Rolls"
A few popular vegetarian wedding dinners that won't scare off meat-eaters:
Eggplant Parmigana
This Italian dish is classic for weddings as an elegant, vegetarian masterpiece that will have your guests wanting seconds!
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Munch on a medley of wild mushrooms, including shitake, Portobello, Porcini, and Morcels, which add a new twist to the regular vegetarian pasta dish.
Try this yummy vegetarian side dish:
Tomato Tapas with a variety of tomatoes and cheeses.
Vegans don't consume anything containing animal products, which can create a difficult meal situation for weddings. If you want a vegan wedding, think about having a variety of choices for your guests to choose from, including some standard vegetarian dinners for non-vegans. Having dishes like Vegan Stroganoff, with a vegan beef substitute (like seitan or tempeh), and portabella mushroom dish for your guests, and you could even convert them!