To only pay for vegan food at my wedding?

[ClaraBanana7]

Haven't set a date yet, but it'll be in around 2 years so it's not right around the corner or anything, but DP and I are both vegans. Neither of us have a problem with other people eating animal products, I don't think I've ever even brought up veganism unless I'm at a restaurant and need to order because I really hate confrontation and I've seen/heard so many cruel and horrible things being said to vegans. That said, we don't want to pay for the guests to be served animal products at our wedding.
Some of my friends think it's unfair and that restaurants etc are pandering to the vegan 'fad' (even though I've been vegan all my life) so I should cater to everyone's dietary requirements. I told them I was considering putting a meat option on the catering form, but that whoever picked it would have to pay for it themselves as I really don't want to give my own money towards that industry. But, my friends also think it's unfair that some people have to pay and others don't.
DP doesn't want to have an animal product option at all, and tbh I would also prefer this, but I want a way of not isolating people who can't go a meal without eating animal products.

Just do a vegan menu. I eat meat but I'd happily eat vegan for one day at a wedding.

^only

Just provide vegan food for all. As I always say, everyone can eat it, unlike meat, fish, dairy, etc.

Some people do expect tea and coffee. Personally it wouldn’t bother me at all if it wasn’t served.

I’m lactose intolerant so I have soya coffee, or coffee mate both of which are perfectly acceptable. I’m not sure about tea as I hate the stuff.

SinkGirl that must be a very difficult set of allergies to manage and I can see that a vegan menu might present you with greater difficulties than non vegan. But that is quite a separate issue to the one the OP is posing.
If OP has guests with allergies or dietry needs she will have to address those individually as would anyone organising catering.

How would you feel if someone refused to cater for you?

She isn't. People who eat meat can eat other foods too.

Yabu for discussing it.

Just do a massive, vegan buffet. No one will die from want of meat for 24 hours.

I wouldnt offer meat either, maybe offer fish if you want to compromise a little but if you arent comfortable with it then don't.

SilverySurfer

For all those saying 'Just serve vegan food' - I assume you would be happy then for a meat-eating couple to 'just serve a meat based meal' making no allowance for others who may be vegetarian or vegan. If you wouldn't be happy with that, perhaps you could explain why not. I see no difference

It's really not that hard to understand. I am a meat eater and I eat:

• vegan food
• vegetarian food
• meat

I don't eat meat for breakfast, I sometimes eat it for lunch (eg a ham sandwich, so maybe 30% of the the time) and often for evening meal, maybe 70% of the time). When I am not eating meat, I am by default eating vegetarian or vegan food.

The op only eats one of those options. Therefore saying she should cater for meat eaters because vegans are catered for is ridiculous, because there are no other options. For meat eaters, there are other options, which they already eat because nobody JUST eats meats for 100% of all meals.

I know you've already stated you will do vegan food op, bit just another who says just do that. I can't believe anyone would seriously consider not coming because of it, and if they don't, it's really not your loss.

What about getting a company that specialises in food that works very well because it is naturally vegan? Like an Indian Dosai catering company , or noodles?

Change the whole vibe from the formal menu. Have people circulating with trays of 'bowl food' , and snacks like samosas, baaji, spring rolls, 'sliders' with mushrooms or lentil patties.

The more I read the more I want to come to your vegan wedding OP. I’m a meat eater but I love food and I love trying new things.

Just do vegan food OP.

Your wedding, your choice. I love meat and eat it most days but if you were my friend and I was going to your wedding I would totally respect your decision to serve only vegan food. Don’t bother with meat options, that would get too awkward and messy. Just serve vegan food to all. If they don’t like it they can do what one of our guests did when the photos were taking too long - he went to McDonalds!

Just serve wonderful vegan food. No-one will mind that if it's nice. Might even convince some waverers!

Please don't suggest anyone pays for their own meal if they want to eat meat. They'll eat the vegan food, can always go to McDonalds afterwards ;).

Your wedding is a long way off though.

@KnotsInMay not thought that far ahead, but I'd love to incorporate world foods in a buffet format with no set seating.

OP. Do a canapes or sandwiches thing then later a vegan buffet with loads of food, ensure nobody goes hungry ('cause if they do, It's all they'll talk about and it won't be because there wasn't quite enough food, it'll be because the food was vegan). Make sure the food's fabulous and plentiful and don't mention to anyone that IT's vegan. More difficult with a sit-down meal where people want to see what it is but not essential. Ask people to RSVP any allergies beforehand. Job done.

I'd do a 100% vegan meal too.

It should cut down on the number of variations the caterers need to do too, as your omnivores, vegetarians, vegans, lactose intolerant, dairy allergy, egg allergy, fish allergy, Muslims and Jews can all eat the same thing. You'll just need to check for allergies to things like nuts.

Tell the guests that if they want a non Vegan meal, they can bring a packed lunch!

Just do a vegan menu for everyone. It's not selfish and if anyone goes hungry they are being ridiculous. Personally I'd prefer to avoid fake sausages and stuff like that, as I dont' think it really works. But perhaps you know of some better products

Tea and coffee is really appreciated by some - particularly non-drinkers - and not touched by others. It depends who you have coming whether it's essential or nice to have

Just have have a vegan wedding

We went to a vegan wedding, DH & I are very much not vegan but we still had a lovely time. Not sure I'd order vegan if I was buying it myself and frankly the vegan cheese was really not to my taste but it was an experience.
It was a party to celebrate their marriage and as such it reflected them and their choices - as far as I'm concerned that's as it should be.
If people really can't cope without meat they can always drop in to Maccy D's on the way home!

Also can’t believe the ignorance on some posts here.

I’d love to go to a vegan wedding. (I am not vegan).

Just have a set menus where guests don't chose. That way they won't know until they eat it.

I'm not vegan but I absolutely think you should stick to your guns and serve vegan rather than asking people to pay extra for meat. Had a quick google and there are a few pics of vegan food that would have me drooling!! Consider doing colourful poke bowls and/or buffet style, especially if you can get away without hot food. If not, vegan lasagne, pizza, curry etc are all options. Go for it!

Just do a vegan meal. Yabvvvvvu and very rude if you charge people to eat at your wedding. However did i read your wedding is two years away...why on earth are you looking at food now. Two years is a long time.

YABU to even worry about this. Just serve vegan, make sure it’s lovely and see it as a chance to show people how delicious it can be. I’m an omnivore but wouldn’t think twice about eating a vegan meal, in fact almost all of us eat vegan meals from time to time without thinking about it.

Brother attended vegan wedding recently. If you do intend on serving full vegan food be prepared for lots of bitching from your guests about the food served afterwards!! I would think vegetarian is more reasonable?