I am going to have a vegetarian wedding reception. There will still be all the courses and dessert - just vegetarian. Should I announce this on my invite "Vegetarian reception to follow"? or does it not matter. Mainly, I want to hear back from meat eaters b/c these are obviously the people that would care. My veg friends love that I am doing this!
2006-12-12 06:46:46 · 17 answers · asked by Melanie R. 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Its a considerate thought to let people know but this is after all YOUR day. Im sure you will have tasty dishes. I think you don't have to make a big announcement. I think some people just think vegetarian and think one big huge salad but im sure your menu is more sophistated than that. It wouldn't kill me if no meat was at a party. I love meat but it wouldn't be a big deal if somebody I cared about decided they didn't want to serve it. If im still hungry I would just go somewhere else later. As long as the food is good I don't care. Your guests are there to celebrate your wedding. Its YOUR day. It shouldn't be about the food. It should be about you. If somebody is mad because you aren't serving meat than they have lost sight of the reason they are there. And thats for YOU not the food. Congrats on your wedding.
2006-12-12 06:57:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
What exactly do you want to hear back from the meat-eaters? That's it's OK for you to have a vegetarian reception? Were you not having a vegetarian reception would you feel the need to announce it?
I think no. Do not put anything on the invitation. What is served at the reception really has nothing to do with the invitation. Don't they want to be there to toast your union regardless of what is served? If they can't seem to find anything to fill their bellies, then Denny's is open 24 hours and they can go there afterwards.
2006-12-12 06:53:56 · answer #2 · answered by mrssamikeyp 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you need to announce it. You don't get invitations that say "chicken and beef reception to follow", do you? I would think it was a pleasant surprise to go to a vegetarian reception! I was a vegetarian for years (not anymore) and I can't tell you how many weddings I went to where there was nothing I could eat but cake, and I didn't complain about it!! People should be happy to be there for your special day. They shouldn't be worried about the food you are serving. Besides, vegetarian cuisine is very tasty most of the time! Give the meat-eaters a chance to broaden their dietary horizons. :)
2006-12-12 07:38:35 · answer #3 · answered by Shelley L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't necessarily announce it (unless, of course, you're afraid that some of your vegetarian friends aren't aware, and would feel that they needed to eat beforehand, etc.). As a general rule, a vegeterian's diet is MUCH more restrictive than that of the general population. Barring someone with specific allergies, a vegeterian diet shouldn't have a negative impact on any of your guests. As a matter of fact, I'd not announce it. I am not a vegeterian myself, but I do enjoy veggies as well if not more so than most meats. And I have a hard time sometimes distinguishing on the few ocassions when I've had vegeterian dishes. So it might open a few eyes if people comment on how great the food is, only to be told that it was vegeterian! =) Best Wishes!
2006-12-12 07:23:23 · answer #4 · answered by JenV 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should. I'm engaged to a vegetarian and have myself adoptedly a mainly vegetarian lifestyle. However, whenever I cook for some of my family some of my very basic vegetarian stuff (i.e. lasagna with soy crumbles) it's interesting to see how they react. If you don't tell them, they could care less and many times can't tell the difference. Others are up in arms about soy and the idea of being "faked out" or simply not having meat avaiable. Well, regardless of their weird reactions, I think it's better to be safe than sorry. Besides, some folks in the crowd might have some allergies you might need to think about when serving veggie only--> like gluten allergies, lactose intolerance, nut allergies, soy...well, the list can go on & on.
While in theory it's to be expected that guests should be on their best behavior and eat what's served..it's also courteous of you to let them know what's in store. Think about the last time you had a wedding invite and how when you looked at it, it let you know what was going to be served...be it meat, chicken, fish or vegetarian option...It's just nice to do for the guests, you know?
2006-12-12 07:55:50 · answer #5 · answered by gabi996 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you should make note of it on your invites. It doesn't mean you're seeking anyone's approval, its just a nice coutesy for your guests to know what to expect. I'm not sure what people are thinking now-a-days... yes it is YOUR wedding but that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider your guests; many who might be driving long distances, or arranging childcare, time off, etc to come share your special day.
I went to a wedding last year out-of-state for my best friend who is vegetarian but her husband is not so it didn't occur to me that she'd make an all veg menu.... yet she did. AND no alcohol, not even wine or champagne for a toast. It would have been nice to know ahead of time what I was getting into. Invite should have read something like: vegetarian menu and non-alcoholic drinks will be served. Simple as that!
When I got married 10+ years ago I made sure my guests were happy too, not just myself and my husband. I assume you do want your guests to enjoy themselves as well, so at least let them know about veg menu so theres *no surprises* for anyone.
And lets turn it around: what if you (being vegetarian) went to a wedding hosted by some hard-core carnivores and everything was meat/animal based yet no one told you in advance? Its always better to err on the side of being considerate, IMO.
Good luck either way.
2006-12-12 07:20:08 · answer #6 · answered by Jen C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter. I don't think there's any need to mention what type of food will be available at the reception. Some receptions serve a full dinner, and some serve only cake, but either way I don't think the guests have any right to have expectations. It's your party so you can do what you choose.
Plus, meat-eaters can eat other foods too.
2006-12-12 08:17:57 · answer #7 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your wording - "Vegetarian reception to follow" sounds perfect.
It is never polite to surprise people when food is involved, so by all means, let us carnivores know that if we require meat that we will have to attend to that need ourselves before or after the reception. For the extra-rabid of your friends you may want to let them know, in person, this is NOT a bring-your-own-dead-animal occasion or there will be someone who does. The invitation is NOT the place to do this.
2006-12-12 08:21:34 · answer #8 · answered by NightBear01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very considerate of you to even think about it since you are inviting non-vegies.
I may be in the minority in this but, as an ETIQUETTE issue, yes you should mention it. There are some who dont care for the taste of certain vegi meals. Most will certainly still come, even if there is no meat (shame on them if they dont). But as a matter as personal as your own diet of your choosing, you should tell them. Many here are making a big deal about it is your business, which it is...to decide what is being served. Most times at a reception, you are given a choice of beef or chicken for example. It would be the courtious thing to do to mention it.
In a different way, what if someone were to invite you & NOT tell you they werre serving meat? Or to invite a Jewish person that observes, & not mention it is not Kosher? Someone who has dietary issues may not be able to eat certain things hence warning labels on food about peanuts etc. Whereas a vegitarian meal should not harm anyone, it is polite to let them know & they can decide on thier own, armed with a 1 word addition to your invite. Many vegi foods are prepared with soy, & some are allergic to it. Should they not be told about it?
My brother is a vegi, & I always ask him when he comes over, what he would like for me to fix specially for him. You are under no obligation to fix special meat dishes for others (especially if you have moral or philosophical reasons for not eating meat), but it does not hurt anyone to let them know what they are getting.
2006-12-12 07:50:09 · answer #9 · answered by ricks 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's necessary to announce it. Word of mouth through the family and friends will do the job. Meat eaters like me aren't too fussed about skipping meat for 1 meal-- I often eat pasta, salads, etc. and might only have meat a few times a week- not every meal. I wouldn't even worry about it. A lot of time, people don't even notice.
2006-12-12 06:55:22 · answer #10 · answered by Sabine É 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋