Vegan Reception

saraelizabeth22

I'm vegan and I'm planning my wedding for next October.  We were planning on having Indian food at our reception, but most places don't allow outside catering.  I found a place with a chef that said she would work with us to design a menu, and she said if she couldn't help us that they would make an exception and let us bring in food.  I don't really know what to suggest.  I don't really want something that I could just as easily have made at home since it's a special occasion.  For once I don't want to be the person who goes out with a group and finds nothing appealing on the menu that fits her needs.  

Does anyone have any suggestions for a menu?

akg0053

First of all I have to ask, is the circle you plan on inviting also vegan? The only reason why I ask is because if none of them are also vegan, you might just save yourself the headache and plan a more readily available type of meal (or meal options) for them. This would also ensure your guests enjoyed your meal options that you offer, and you could ask your chef if she can do one vegan meal choice for yourself and/or your FI. 

This might work better than having to arrange an entire vegan menu with meal choices.

loop0406

I agree, if the majority of guests aren't vegan, have them prepare you and fiance a vegan meal and everyone else a different meal. I would suggest steak, pasta or chicken, maybe chicken parmigiano with 2 sides....

saraelizabeth22

Everything needs to be vegan.  It's a matter of ethics for me. 

kaijasmom

I will be doing a vegan reception as well!  We are having the reception and wedding on our property so I am designing a menu to provide wonderful, tasty, colorful food everyone will not only enjoy but be blown away by. (his family don't know any other vegetarians).

I'd say create a pretty simple but awesome menu and see if your chef will work with you. Good luck!!

aggiebug

and at my reception I will have only meat filled entrees because its a matter of ethics for me.  how would that make you feel?

sorry I get that you don't like to eat meat and I respect that, but I don't get how you can't respect that some people prefer to eat meat.  The reception is a reflection of you but its more than that. its a party to thank your guests.

Not to mention that a lot of vegetarian meals are flavored with colorful and exotic spices.  Things that a lot of people have aversions too.  So if you must do a vegan meal keep it simple.  a simple pasta, a hearty salad.  Don't go all exotic to make your reception more upscale.  Do something that people will actually eat and enjoy.

saraelizabeth22

Would you expect a Jewish or Muslim couple to provide pork at their reception because they don't want to deprive the pork-lovers of their favorite food?  Vegans can't eat meat, but it's not like non-vegans can't eat vegetables.

It is more than a preference not to eat meat, dairy, and eggs.  I don't buy these things in my day-to-day life because I don't want to provide monetary support to a system I believe is unethical.  My wedding reception is probably the biggest social event I will ever have. Why would I fill it with a practice I find morally reprehensible?  I even made it clear to my fiance's mother that if she had a problem with it, I would pay for the food myself.

But back to my original question, which has been solved. The chef has agreed to our suggested menu of chana masala, bhindi masala, tofu vindaloo, samosas, naan, and rice, as well as pasta with marinara and vegetables for those with a milder appetite.  We haven't finalized our menu, but I am excited!  Now I just have to figure out how to eat curry in a big white dress!

britishmi

Hi Saraelizabeth22,

What caterer did you hire?