Vegetarians shouldn't have to buy meat?

[Whuut]

So a relative of mine is getting married next year and her and her partner went vegetarian a few years ago for many reasons, one being they didn't want to contribute to the meat industry. They have decided at the wedding to have the meal completely vegetarian. I think this is fine and for one meal people can deal without meat- I do get that some people struggle without it but I think for the sake of one meal at someone else's wedding, you'd just deal with it. What I think is harsh, a few other family members are constantly telling her they should have a meat option and making her feel bad about their decision.

Aibu to think they shouldn't have to have meat at their wedding when one of the main reasons they gave it up was to do with not wanting to contribute to the industry?

I'd go so far as to have a menu on the table with written on the back some interesting facts about the positive impact of a vegetarian way of life,it might help guests to anticipate the food with more enthusiasm and to consider becoming a vegetarian

Nothing wrong with the menu suggestion, but I wouldn't go preachy and vegangelical on the back of it. Same as it would be in poor taste to serve up a meat-based dish but then have notices on the table trying to convert vegetarians or vegans away from their chosen diets and from the alternatives provided for them ("Meat is an excellent source of protein and iron, which is essential for good health" etc.)

We had a vegetarian wedding. On the invitation we said the food would be vegetarian but to let us know if you there were any other dietary requirements.

Sounds the most sensible way all round to me.

Some people would always make a fuss - in don’t like this, I don’t like that, can’t we have x etc.

I’d crack on with the vegetarian meal they have chosen! Anyone who has to have meat every single meal or “won’t eat vegetables” is being ridiculous. Obviously cater to people’s genuine allergies, intolerances etc., but that’s likely to be a much smaller number than the fussy brigade. “I don’t really like mushrooms” - so? It’s not about you, eat the bread rolls or the pudding or whatever.

No idea why you tend to get a lot of dairy in vegetarian options, just an observation of what happens in practise. Although, engaging brain I guess cheese is an easy choice to replace the protein element , with lots of useful vitamins and minerals, whilst cream gives a great mouth feel, and is associated with luxury.

No idea why you tend to get a lot of dairy in vegetarian options, just an observation of what happens in practise.

You get a lot of dairy (and eggs) in plenty of meat options too - I think they might just get overlooked because they're seen as accompaniments to the meat, which is the 'main show'.

It's everybody's right to exclude whole food groups from their diets if they choose to, but if you do, people will naturally have to make up the difference with the remaining food groups.

It probably differs in specialist vegetarian restaurants, but for somebody coming from an omnivorous POV, the meat is usually the starting point. It's always described as 'roast beef' and served with potatoes and veg - nobody would ever call the dish 'boiled veg' and then just happen to serve it with meat. If told that meat isn't to be included, cheese and other dairy is likely their 'reserve' starting point for meal planning.

Not everyone can eat every vegi meal.

But that's no different to every meat meal.

Not everyone can eat everything. So you cater for intolerances/allergies and it has absolutely nothing to do with what the menu actually is and whether it happens to contain meat or not.

Totally irrelevant to a discussion on whether having a meat-free wedding meal is in any way unreasonable.

Well I wasnt expecting that..

They have a couple of options, a vegan option and have asked if anyone has any allergies so everyone will have something they are able to eat. The food sounds lovely(to me), it's not risotto or mushrooms thankfully as clearly they aren't popular.

The relatives complaining are very close family so will definitely be attending and I know they will enjoy the food. I have stuck up for bride&groom when they've made comments and I think they're starting to leave it alone. They are paying for the wedding themselves and dont want to spend their money on meat, there will be alcohol- yay.

For the people saying 'meat eaters have to cater for veggies but the courtesy is never returned.' Its hardly the same. People should try to eat less meat anyway in my opinion, one meal wont kill them.