A Vegetarian Wedding…What?
August 12, 2010 by Marni Wasserman
Filed under For Your Health!, Nourishing Resources
It is possible to go vegetarian, even if it is just for one night! Since vegetarian/vegan weddings seem to be the topic of discussion lately – thanks to Chelsey Clinton whose wedding this summer happens to be on the same (calendar) day as mine next summer – I thought I would take this opportunity to express my approach and connection to the situation.
If you didn’t know this already, I am in the midst of planning a wedding. My Fiance, Ryan and I got in engaged in February! We are very excited for our wedding next summer on July 31st 2011. We are making it as ECO and GREEN as we possibly can and on that note, we made the decision a little over a month a go to have a vegetarian wedding. It wasn’t an easy decision at first, but realized that I wanted to share my knowledge, expertise and passion for plant based foods with a room full of people that are most important to me. I want to show them how truly amazing, wonderful and creative a vegetarian meal can be. What better chance and what more captive of an audience than to showcase this at our very own wedding. The decision was ours (Ryan is fully 100% supportive of this) and this is what we are truly content with our decision. Everything about the evening is going to be magical from the setting on the lake, to the flowers, to my ECO- vegetable dyed organic silk dress and of course the most important detail, the menu. No, I am not cooking up all the food at my own wedding. I am lucky enough to be sitting down with the chef at my venue to create the menu of my dreams (you are just going to have to wait at least a year for these details!)
Since Chelsey did make the decision to have a meat option at her wedding there has been some dispute about whether one should have an all veggie wedding or not. Even though it was a bit of a debate for me at first, I chose to stick with my well rooted plant based philosophy along with our values as a couple. It only makes sense, as I try to encourage my clients and the people around me to find other ways to be satisfied without meat (even if it’s just for one meal). Since meat is usually the focus of the meal at most weddings, without it, often people can’t imagine what that meal would be? That is where I want to shine, and show people that a delicious (and filling) meal can still be in store even though it is vegetarian.
I have to tell you, this is a new era, where health and wellness are at the core of living a balanced life. The more I immerse myself in this wonderful land of veggies – the more I fall in love with it and the more amazing, wonderful and caring people I am meeting not too mention the incredible foods I am always discovering along the way. We need to be compassionate even if it is just for ONE night of your life. It will be worth it. I promise.
So having a vegetarian wedding just makes complete sense to me, since teaching vegetarian cooking classes is not only my business, but mine and Ryan’s lifestyle (for reasons of health, animal rights and just pure satisfaction). Allowing our guests to experience our vegetarian wedding – will not only show them what we are all about- but it will also prove that they can be perfectly satisfied and content with at least ONE blissful meal eating plant based foods! Something for everyone to try once in a while 
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK…
Did you have a Vegetarian Wedding?
Would you have a Vegetarian Wedding?
Would you be satisfied/happy at a Vegetarian Wedding?
Why or Why Not?
I had a vegetarian wedding just this past week. Both Mike and I are vegetarians, leaning towards a dairy free lifestyle as well.
We are both the only vegetarians in our families, so we planned our meals with great care. We offered our guests two completely different meal choices. We knew that we were having a vegetarian wedding, but we didn’t want our guests to feel “schooled” in being a vegetarian so we created a pasta based menu and a vegan menu. the pasta dish was a take on lemon pasta while the vegan meal was our interpretation of “steak and potatoes” complete with a port reduction “jus”. The steak itself was based in beets, mushroom, nuts and grains and I had a bunch of guests ask me for the recipe.
I think it’s important to remember that though everyone’s eaten a meal without meat, they don’t want to feel uncomfortable at a wedding faced with a meal of unidentified vegan fare. Tread lightly and remember that it’s more important for your guests to have a great time than it is to convert them to vegetables!
Thanks Jenn. Sounds like you had a delicious wedding! Absolutely…I am going to meet my guests halfway when it comes to my menu as well. I will be offering two or more options so that everyone is covered. Just because it is a veg meal doesn’t mean everyone will like it, I know I don’t love every veg meal!! My goal is to show not to push…I want everyone to be happy the day is not only about Ryan and I – but everyone who is invited!
Thanks so much for post – always inspiring to hear others….
Wow, Jenn! I would love to go to a wedding with a creative menu like that (vegetarian or not!). I’m getting a bit tired of the old penne with meat sauce, chicken, and potatoes.
I would be really really excited to go to a vegetarian wedding.
I am having a vegetarian wedding in the Niagara area this September (2010). I’m the only vegetarian in the families, so we too took great care in selecting a menu. We wanted something people wouldn’t be intimidated to try – so tofu was definitely out! We went for a vegetable and goat cheese stack on puff pastry surrounded by fall veggies and a sweet potato-lentil ragout. We took our families to taste the menu, and everyone was blown away.
We found a great caterer, but unfortunately, there are many who seem scared to try to cook a fully vegetarian meal. Judging by some of the weddings I’ve attended, vegetarian cookery is just not in some cooks’ repetoires. This saddened me as I was researching chefs and caterers, especially when some boasted on their websites about convincing vegetarian couples to serve meat at their ceremony.
Some family members are convinced the meal needs to contain meat. It’s unbelievable how people have difficulty adjusting their behaviour for a single meal. But I’m hoping they’ll change their minds after they taste our menu!
Jill, that sounds amazing! Did I mention that my wedding will also be in Niagara! What a perfect spot with all the fresh local produce!
Good luck with everything…Your menu sounds delicious so far!
Congrats Marni, your wedding sounds like it will be gorgeous!
Being vegetarian I will 100% have a vegetarian wedding…just missing that darn husband part
Thanks Danielle…you will find your veggie match!!
Good for you – unless your friends and family are diehard carnivores (I do know a few people that pretty much ONLY eat flesh) I am sure they will be delighted with your wonderful food!
Thanks Laurel!
Yum! I would love to go to a vegetarian chef’s wedding! I am not 100% vegan, however, the only time I eat animal products (maybe once a month) is when they are local, organic, and grass-fed. Wedding food is usually not very appetizing to me because it is most often poor quality meat and the vegetarian is just pasta. I usually eat before I go to a wedding, then just eat the salad and vegetables at the dinner. I think your guests will be pleased to have a delicious meal and something different than meat, potatoes, and overly buttered vegetables.
Rachel, that is the only way to do it! I am totally fine with people making the choice to eat sustainable and organic meats (there really is no other way!!)
I always eat before weddings, and then pick around things as well – I know where you are coming from. I am very excited to have fun with my menu and show my guests how delicious and unique a vegetarian meal can be!
Congrats on your upcoming nuptuals! I commend you for going with what you believe in for your own wedding. These days it seems people are less likely to go the traditional route and are doing their own thing when it comes to wedding celebrations. I had my own eco-friendly, all-vegan wedding last year. There’s no way I could have given up my values to cater to the meat-eating crowd. Instead, my hubby and I eloped and had our own vegan ceremony in St. Lucia, and then had a vegan cocktail reception upon our return to Toronto. It included vegan appetizers (mini pizzettas, spring rolls, dumplings, fruit kabobs, etc.) as well as a beautiful dessert table with mini cupcakes, cookies, truffles and fruit.
Good luck with your planning. I know it’s a lot of work but you’ll be thankful for it when the day comes together!
Nicole…thank you for your comment! Your wedding also sounded like it was fantastic and exactly what you wanted! St. Lucia – wow!! We are looking forward to all the planning…(I know, I say that now??)
I am looking for someone in St. Lucia to make a vegan wedding cake. Can I ask who you used to make the cake?
Hi Greta!
First of all I want to share that my blog has moved to my new website at http://www.marniwasserman.com – all of my latest posts will be here!
Now regarding cake, we didn’t have a wedding cake. Cake isn’t my think. We did vegan/gluten free ice cream cones and apple crumble instead. However Toronto has some amazing resources that will do a vegan wedding cake. LPK Culinary Groove and Sweets from the Earth are two places to start!
Hello, I was so excited to read your article! My wedding is also July 31, 2011…only 5 more weeks!
We also decided to have a vegetarian wedding and we don’t want to make a big point of it but we want our families to be as supportive as possible. I was thinking of writing something on the menu like “thank you for enjoying this meal with us it was lovingly chosen to support our beliefs and with your tasting pleasure in mind.” I’m not sure how that sounds and I was wondering if anyone had an idea of what to say?
The trick is we will be frowned on either way as my fiancé is Italian background, we just want them to remember that they came to support us not take it personally.
Thanks and congrats to all the brides on here!
Melissa