We're having Vegan guests at our wedding...?

Question

Hi folks! My fiancee and I are having a few Vegan guests attend our wedding. We already have a few special diets, so adding a few Vegans aren't a problem, but the venue might be.

We're having it at a very rustic place and there are literally nearly 100 mounted animals heads of all kinds (elk, deer, buffalo, bear, wolves, etc...) around. We were going to warn them anyways, but is that something that Veganism is about? Or is it just the food? (I have to admit, they are some of the healthiest people that we know!)

Answer 1

You should warn the vegans ahead of time about the animals. I'm a vegan and I think i'd be sensitive about dead animals allover the place. I'd definately want to be warned ahead of time.

Answer 2

I look at veganism as a diet, and I wouldn't be all that comfortable around a bunch of shot and stuffed animals, but if it came down to, 'should I be there for my friend during his wedding' or not, I'd suck it up and deal with being surrounded by the extra company. Definitely mention it to them, and I guess they can make their own decisions. As uncomfortable as it may be, it is your day, so I wouldn't worry about it a whole lot, especially if your plans are already in place.
Talk to your friends though, get their take on it.

Answer 3

Vegans oppose the concept that it's alright and acceptable to abuse animals, and the decision by some to treat animals as mere commodities.
I know you can not change your location, and neither would I suggest it but, they have a right to thier opinion and may be offended. Give them the option not to attend (even tho you really want them to) and thank them for their understanding.
Maybe you could have a small after marriage gathering in a more suitable place just for them. After all it is your day not thiers.
(no I'm not vegan)

Answer 4

I think its a good idea that you are telling them up front. Vegans are a lot more open minded than people think (they are the most open minded if you ask me) I think some will attend, and the more passionate ones may decline, but send a gift and best wishes. Its all a matter of personal choice. Most vegans are that way because they don't think animals should have to be sacraficed for their self gratification. Others are vegan because of food allergies or other health reasons. For me, its all of those reasons, combined. Good luck on your wedding, and congratulations. May you enjoy a blessed and happy life

Answer 5

I'm a vegan. Nobody else in my family is, though my younger sister-in-law is kinda transferring to vegetarianism. I'm not sure if she is truly passionate about animal rights (which I know she cares about), or see something else trendy and decided to jump on it. Eh.

I am open minded, as was suggested by another poster. I vaguely remeber (something I just recalled when I was reading this thread) when I was very young, being a the house of one of my parents' friends and seeing a deer head on the wall. For somebody under six, that can be scary. However, I did grow up eating meat, but ironically, didn't understand hunting. I couldn't understand why/how somebody could look at an animal one minute, then kill him/her the next. I digress.

Thank you for being considerate of your vegan friends. To help them, just don't do something like serve veggies with butter on them, but on the side, and maybe provide a protein source, like beans. (Beans and rice can be done up very nicely, cheaply and helthfully. Just a thought. When I got married, I didn't care what I ate [I wasn't vegetarian then], just as long as I liked it. Health and calories, especially on my wedding day, was not a care.)

For me, being vegan isn't just about the food or my "diet". (As my parents call it, I think they think I'm on a diet, with the pop culture definition of it-- Deny self of foods and stuff to fit into society's definition of being thin and pretty. They both asked if I was going to go back to eating meat and dairy when I announced my pregnancy to them. If I hadn't been blissfully happy, I think I would have retorted with, "No, I'm not. I'm going to harm your grandchild before he is even born. Instead, I said something like, "If I thought what I was doing would harm my child, I wouldn't be doing it.")

Anyway, I choose to do everything within my power to not harm animals. I do not agree with the way they are treated in factory farms and what that does to the environment. I feel as though I am called to do whatever I can to protect and preserve the Earth with which God has blessed us. (I'm also big on recycling/reusing things and will not buy clothing [with the exception of underwear and bras, of course] first hand unless I really literally need it. First or second hand I buy as cheaply as possible and keep them for as long as possible.)

Anyway, I hope a small summary of my life helps you with accomodating your friends. After having gone to dinners/meals where I thought I would be accomodated and wasn't (sometimes I go on blind faith and take some fruit or a granola bar; Sometimes I think that the person knows and would be kind enough to accomodate me), I'm pleased that you are doing so. Let your friends decide on whether or not they want to come. Hopefully, they are openminded and kind enough to share your day with you.

Congratulations.

PS: Here is a recipe for a vegan chocolate cake. I assume that your cake is going to be traditional, but if you or somebody has an extra hour the week of your wedding (ha ha), this is easy to put together. I make this for potlucks often, but I add about 10 tablespoons cocoa. I baked this yesterday and I realized I forgot the vanilla and the salt and the baking soda, which is why it's dense and chewy. Oops. But I don't put much in. It was also denser than usual, but I still got genuine compliments on it.
The second link is for a vegan frosting. Yesterday, because i was low on cocoa, I used a Jiffy frosting mix that I found in my pantry and didn't realize I had.

Answer 6

Some may be offended. It will really depend on the individual guest. However, it is your wedding and your guests shouldn't expect that you will conform to their life style and beliefs. Letting them know in advance is an excellent idea. Then they can then decide to come or not. It sounds like you have been very accommodating with the menu.

Answer 7

Usually people that have taken the step to become vegan would not be comfortable in the setting as you have described.......so if they decline your offer do not be offended as this is a lifestyle to them ......that do not wear leather , furs, and do not believe in hunting...they would view hunting as murder of animals...so you see that they will probably not be attended.............it would be like inviting a Jewish person to a wedding where the decorations were swastikas...just attempting to give you an image of what they would feel ....

Answer 8

Considering that the root of veganism is to do no harm to any living creature, some of them might have a serious problem with it. All I can suggest is that you tell them what to expect, and let them decide if they still want to attend.

Answer 9

If they are really your friends, then they will not be offended. It's *your* wedding, not theirs, and they should respect that. I am a vegan, and that kind of thing wouldn't bother me...I mean, it's not like you're giving them an animal head for xmas! haha Just tell them ahead of time. I'm sure they'll be fine. :)

Answer 10

Veganism extends beyond just the food. Vegans don't use leather, wool etc. It's nice that you are warning them. If they are true friends, I think they will still come. It might bother them a bit to see that, but they will still come.