If you were getting married and are a vegetarian would only serve vegetarian food at the reception?

Question

How would you feel about going to a wedding that served no meat?

The bride feels that eating meat is wrong. She feels that it depletes land resources and by buying meat for the reception is going against her values.

Answer 1

Your reception can serve whatever food you want. Cake and punch receptions are fine, light dinners are fine.

I would consider having your wedding earlier in the day, though, if you are going with a veggie menu. Your guests may expect a "full dinner" (meaning, one with meat) if the reception is in the standard dinner hour between 5 to 7. Maybe a lunch reception would be acceptable.

Answer 2

I don't think it would be a bad thing. I feel the same way about any menu -- meat, veggie, etc. -- it should have quality ingredients, offer variety, and be well prepared. You can serve fish or other seafood if you aren't comfortable with serving red meat. If you opt for an all-vegetarian menu, just have several different, well prepared options. I often feel like caterers and restaurants, when they offer vegetarian meals, it's just an extra portion of a boring side dish, but I know that mindset is changing and more menus are offering greater variety. There's so many great non-meat dishes out there where you don't feel like you're missing anything, it's just good food!

Answer 3

I would probably serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Yes, it's YOUR wedding, but you are not just the bride and groom, you are also hosts - and a good host doesn't only think "what is good for me?", but also "what is good for my guests?" Face it - most people enjoy meat. To me personally, being a good host is important; it is a part of my culture. So, when planning a party or a reception I always try and ask myself - what would my guests enjoy? - and make decisions accordingly. More than once I have served dishes at my parties that I personally would not eat - but this was what my guests preferred. Of course, I always make sure that I am well-fed, too... LOL.

Answer 4

If both the bride and groom are vegetarian, I don't see anything wrong with it. Just have a couple of options, because a lot of people are picky about not liking mushrooms, or peppers, or whatever. If that was what the bride and groom wanted, I think it would be fabulous. Most of the weddings I've been to have had better vegetarian dishes than meat dishes.

Answer 5

I am not a vegetarian but have been at occasions that served only vegetarian (or vegan) food. It didn't bother me at all. The food was good and I certainly can go days without meat. No matter what reasons you have for being vegetarian (moral or health) I think it would be great to have it at your reception.

Best wishes on your wedding and marriage.

Answer 6

Well, I am a vegetarian, so going to a wedding like that would be a breath of fresh air. So many weddings I've been to have been a pain in the *** to attend because I couldn't eat anything! People don't realize how difficult it is to make a meal out of a damn fruit and veggie tray. At my wedding, I'm going to have both meat options and veggie options, because well, for one thing, I'm not going to starve at my own wedding, and for another, I don't expect anyone else to either. There are stupid people out there that for some reason don't think it can be a meal without a big slab of dead animal attached to it and god forbid they have to skip eating their dead animal for a day. Although, I know I've NEVER been to a wedding where when I replied on the card that I was a vegetarian, a vegetarian meal was provided. I've even called the bride and groom personally to tell them that if they wanted, they could skip purchasing a meal for me and I would eat beforehand. The bride and groom insisted that that was silly and they would talk to the caterer. Well, when I got to the wedding, the meal they brought me was a big old steak! I tried not to make a big deal of it, but after meat juice has soaked into the veggies on the plate, they become pretty unappetizing. I spoke to the father of the bride about it privately and he had the caterer bring a different meal. The thing is, I'm not a vegetarian because I simply choose to be. Meat literally makes me sick. Can't eat it. Haven't been able to since I was a kid. Being an *** about vegetarian meals to me is equivalent to being an *** about diabetic meals. Its rude. Granted, you aren't going to be able to make everyone happy with your choice of food for a wedding. However, for all of us vegetarians who have had to starve at nearly every wedding they've ever been to, I'd say let the people who either can't or won't eat veggies see how it feels.

Answer 7

I would serve meat for my guests, especially if the reception was going to be during the dinner hour. I am not vegan, but my understanding of it is that vegans are not opposed to others eating meat, they just prefer not to eat it. Most receptions I've been to there are also trays of vegetables and fruits, cheese and crackers. You can incorporate both into the reception. However, if you chose to have no meat, as a guest it would not bother me a bit. I never care about what is served, I am only honored to be invited and share in the couple's joy. Congrats on your marriage.

Answer 8

As a caterer i have done many events ( almost all lately) that we are asked to provide vegetarian options. I try and insure that people recieve a full meal and accomodate special dietary needs as well. I have recently starting working with an organization that only using vegan foods and some of their events are quite large 300 + guests. I really enjoy working these events because I'm a cook and the same old stuff is just that after wedding # 50 of chicken and tri- tip.. Boring. You can have an incredible meal . At this sites smaller events we've done theme menus such as Italian and Mexican to rave reviews. For a larger Thanksgiving event I included alot more variety. My hubby a meat eater if I ever met one & he didn't feel at all deprived. In fact he said it was great. Seek out a caterer through referals at your food co-op, farmer's mkt. or the place you buy alot of your food. Check out the slow food movement on the internet. Vote with your pocket book. I would not pay for meat for my guests if I didn't choose to eat it as part of my diet. Alot of the guests attending the vegan events aren't vegans but they support rescuing farm animals. I've gotten numerous positive comments from them about the food. Veggie doesn't mean boring, bland and just tofu. There is a whole world out there of veggies, grains, herbs and spices, fruits and nuts... Sample Spring Menu: Gourmet Greens w/ Fresh Local Strawberries, scallions and a strawberry viniagrette, Spinich Tofu Lasagna Roll ups, Garlic Bread and a Pear Ginger Oatmeal Crisp with a Cashew Cream.

Answer 9

I would think that I should't force my life choices on other people. Its not any different than if you walked into a resutrant that served meat and vegetarian dishes. You should offer some meat eating options for your carnivors on the guest list in a additon to the vegetarian ones. It doesn't mean that you have to eat the meat but it would make them alot more comfortable and well fed. After all, a wedding is "your special day" but it is also a PARTY!! =)

Answer 10

The fact is, although it is your wedding, you are the hostess of an event attended by both veggies and non-veggies. One mark of a good hostess is that all of your guests should be happy and satisfied. There are vegeterian meals that would appeal to a broad audience, such as veggie lasagna, and that may be a hit, but if your guests turn their noses at eating vegeterian, you have to realize you'll have paid alot of money for a reception where much of the food went right into the trash. Personally, that would upset me greatly.

May I suggest offering a choice of 2 or 3 meals, one of which is vegeterian, and the other is not--this way, people can select what they want, you'll have your vegeterian meal, and your guests are more likely to be satisfied with their emal, and your reception overall.