Kinda WR Food Question

AlexiaANDRobert

I saw someone reply to a post about gluten free or vegan or something (not picking on that person, just asking) food options - did you/do people really make options for these dietary requests?I know I didn't and really didn't think of it and no one mentioned anything to me...My wedding is over, so I'm just asking for curiosity.

salt78

If I knew anyone who ate gluten free, I'd make sure they could eat something. I plan on having things that are meat free. I don't know any vegans.

Nebb

I didnt have any quests that required that, but I did offer vegetarian, and thinking back on it it was gluten free. I think if your guest requires that and you DONT accomodate that, its just cruel. People dont choose to be gluten free.

Kati0105

I'm probably going to leave a spot on the RSVP card for guests to indicate any food allergies.  I know we have several lethal nut allergies in the family, so I want to cover all bases.

angned

Potatoes and rice and veggies and such are simple. and salad.  most people eat normal

amalama

I don't know about offering them automatically, but I do know of one person that has special dietary restrictions like that, and they usually call and talk to the host of an event to let them know, not just expect people to be prepared for that.

salt78

Correction: I know vegans, but they aren't coming to the party. Not because they are vegan of course.

niffycat

When we were checking out caterers we always checked that they had a vegetarian option. And we checked the menu of the restaraunt we ended up choosing to make sure it had a good selection of food so that everyone would be happy.

kdcwedding

We had a friend who is strictly kosher - in fact our wedding was on a Friday so she had to leave halfway through the cocktail hour. We still got her a kosher meal especially for her and had them give it to her then, packed up so she could take it with her. If someone had asked, I would have tried to accomodate their requests. Not like "I don't like mushrooms" but if someone is gluten intolerant/has celiac disease, I would make sure they had something to eat. That one is particularly hard because you might think something is gluten-free when it isn't (soy sauce has wheat in it!)

MeaghanandMichael

I work at a country club and almost every event we have to have meals for people who have special diet concerns. Any good chef should be able to take the meal the bride and groom have picked out and tailor it to special requests while still honoring the original menu.

AlexiaANDRobert

We had a buffet so I didn't include any food card in the RSVP for them to reply about menu choices. I don't KNOW (like for a fact know) if anyone had dietary needs other than MIL is allergic to nuts so we made sure nothing had nuts. I know for my friend's wedding, they had crab cakes on the same plate as the steak and her mother remembered that I was allergic and had a special plate for me.  But no one specifically asked me and I didn't come out and tell them. Do you worry about it if no one says anything?

kdcwedding

Salt, we all know you didn't invite them especially because they are vegan, don't lie.

kdcwedding

Alexia, we had a similar situation - we had a stationed reception. I didn't take any extra steps unless someone asked. For our friend that we got the kosher meal, she didn't ask, but we thought it would be nice since she came all that way to attend about an hour or so of our wedding. We had a few vegetarians, but there were plenty of vegetarian options at the stations, so we were good there.

kate51485

I think if you know that you will have a guest that has certain restrictions, it is nice to do your best to accomodate them.  For instance, I have a good family friend who has the gluten issue.  If she is coming, I'd like to make sure there's something she can eat.  Similarly, several people in my family and close friends are vegetarians and some are vegans, including my sister.  I could eat a hamburger every day, but I will do my best to make it enjoyable for them too.

lyndausvi

We didn't have anyone fall into that group.  But if we did we would have accomendated them.   Between my mom, MIL and us we knew all the dietary restrictions.

fangsiting

Our menu is half vegan & the vegan option is gluten free.  I have one friend who has celiac disease and is deathly allergic to milk.  The cake is vegan, but not gluten free, although, if my friend comes I will order a gluten free cupcake for her.  People will RSVP online & I'll ask them to email me with any allergies or special dietary requirements. 

AlexiaANDRobert

That's cool.  Those are all good and considerate ideas. I guess I was just second guessing myself but I don't know of anyone's diet needs and no one asked so I guess, don't worry about it? I mean, we did have salad, with lots of toppings, rice, beans, mashed potato bar, fried plantains, chicken dish and steak dish... it's pretty well balanced unless you're allergic to something.

Nebb

If someone has celiac, they are well aware they need to take proper precautions. They will get seriously ill if they dont. I think if they had it you would know well in advance.

NotNumbers

We'll have one vegetarian and one vegan, so we've made sure there is a good amount of food they can eat.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Do you worry about it if no one says anything?No. I'd assume they're all okay with it.If someone has an unusual restriction (and I'd consider vegan unusual - usually the vegetarian option at weddings has dairy, at least), then they can politely let you know if they chose to. If they want to wait and see what food is at the wedding, or ask the waitstaff, then that's fine too.So because no one said anything to you, it doesn't mean they didn't pull a server aside and ask for a plate with no gluten, no nuts, no whatever. But they probably have to do that at all weddings, parties and restaurants, so I wouldn't feel bad. People with dietary restrictions are used to taking care of it.

AlexiaANDRobert

However, I don't think it's necessary to offer it "just in case" if you don't have someone coming who has made their dietary needs known.That's what I was wondering...  I felt this way too but was getting the impression that many people plan for the "just in case".

angned

It is YOUR wedding. Make people eat what you want.  If they are hungry, they can eat something after. If you gave every person options based on what they like or eat or don't eat, you would have the whole grocery store on site.

kate51485

That is absolutely not true.

ac_in_dc

I knew most of my guests well enough to know that none of them were vegan or celiac (well, I have some vegan friends but they couldn't make it).I gave the caterers a heads-up that there *may* be vegans at the wedding but then let them know when none showed up.With stuff like this I assume that a guest will either let you know their restrictions in advance or be prepared to not eat very much.  Hopefully it's the former.An extra line on the rsvp for dietary restrictions, food allergies, etc. isn't a bad idea though.

lpstl

We made sure to accommodate any guest who had a special dietary need. FIL is diabetic, so we made sure to offer plenty of options for him.

lpstl

It is YOUR wedding. Make people eat what you want. If they are hungry, they can eat something after.WTF is going on today?

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

It is YOUR wedding. Make people eat what you want. If they are hungry, they can eat something after. Wow, so people with life-threatening allergies just have to suck it up and deal on your pretty princess day? You realize a reception is a gift to your guests, correct?

angned

You cannot accommodate everyone. And a reception is a celebration, not a gift.  If it was a gift, why do they give you gifts?

kate51485

I cannot imagine telling my vegan sister, sorry, all we're serving is prime rib, you'll have to wait the next 4 hours til you can go to Subway for the veggie delight.CANNOT IMAGINE.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I don't think it's out of the question to accomodate someone who's allergic to shellfish by, say, not putting shellfish in everything. We aren't talking about someone saying, "Gee, I really want lamb instead of beef" or "Can you make this with goat cheese instead of gruyere?" It's about not actually being able to eat stuff. As a person WITH a dietary restriction, I am actually really, really easy-going about my meal. As long as it's something I can eat, even if it's not my favorite, I'll eat it. I'm not picky. But if I am told I can have something I can't eat or starve? I'd leave your wedding. I get cranky when I'm hungry.

lyndausvi

You cannot accommodate everyone. And a reception is a celebration, not a gift. If it was a gift, why do they give you gifts?In my world receptions are a 'thank you' to the guests for attending the ceremony.  We also have receptions for funerals.  Now granted the funeral does not have dancing (although ours does have drinking and a lot of laughing)  the principles are the same.  You are thanking them for attending an event.