Gluten Free?

mgoss228 · February 2011

So one of our guests wrote on the back of his RSVP card that he has gluten intolerance. I'm not sure if I need to worry about it because we're serving BBQ food = BBQ chicken, Pulled Pork, Smoked Salmon, Rosemary Potatoes, Cole Slaw, Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans, and Corn Bread.

I figured that picky eaters could find stuff they like with that menu, but I know nada if those things are gluten free. I'm going to ask our cater, but I wanted to know from you guys what (if anything) you are doing to address the "gluten free" needs of any of your guests.

Totally Flame Worthy: I thought the whole "gluten free" thing was some crazy made up Hippie thing, before this

abrieckinthewall · February 2011

I don't think any of my *future* guests have a gluten intolerence. but my MOH is vegan. So that is something I will have to address when it comes to it

meganhardan · February 2011

I only know a little about gluten-free (a girlfriend in college thought she was), and I know that no grains or starch. So, your guest probably could only eat the meat, coleslaw, and and beans (I could be wrong about this, but that's my guess!)   In my opinion, if he can actually eat those three things, that should be an ok meal?

As far as what I'm doing at my wedding, we are having pasta, so definitely not gluten-free friendly. I'm just hoping we don't have to deal with it.   The only food issue that I know we have to deal with is that my sister is a vegetarian--and she very nicely told me that she didn't care if all she could eat was salad, fruits&veggies, and bread. But, we'll probably do a veggie pasta anyway in case there are others.

Is it bad that I find it a little odd that that guest wrote on the back of his card that he has gluten intolerance?  I think I would be taken aback a little by that. I might get totally ripped apart for this--but I don't feel like you should have to go above and beyond to accomodate every dietary issue--especially since there are so many different issues. I think you do the best that you (and your caterer) can. That may mean a few people have to pick and choose what they eat, but I think it's just impossible to accomodate everyone--and I think that most people with dietary issues are probably used to having to pick and choose what they eat, or planning to eat before they come. And, it's a wedding, so guests are getting a free meal--it's not a restaraunt where they are paying for their meal. Sorry if I offended anyone, just my 2 cents!

MacPanda · February 2011

I'm no expert on Gluten but it seems to me like you have a well-rounded meal. I think it's nice to take into consideration diet restrictions for bridal party/close family that you know about in advance, but you won't be able to please everyone. I think you shouldn't worry about it too much. Stick with the menu you've already picked and I'm sure this guest can find something to eat. I think at least one of the things you have doesn't have gluten anyway.

We have learned since sending the invites that one guest is vegetarian and one is on a liquid diet. It's a buffet with plenty of options like yours. Obviously I'm not serving all liquids so that guest will probably have to bring something with them.

kinmir30 · February 2011

I am pretty sure all of those things are gluten-free. Gluten is in grains, etc. The only thing he won't be able to eat is cake. Are you having a traditional cake baker (i think you said you don't like teired cakes?) .....anyway, was asking because maybe your baker could make a special gluten-free cupcake.....or you could pick something out for him? .....that is of course if you want to be that accomodating for the person.

MacPanda · February 2011

Ha! posted same time as *Megan but totally agree!

kinmir30 · February 2011

ha! we all posted at the same time. lol. sorry for any repeated info.

dreamwinds · February 2011

You might be surprised at how non-gf friendly those items are.

BBQ chicken: depends on what it was marinated in.
Pulled pork: Also depends on what it was marinated in.
Smoked salmon: probably safe.
Rosemary potatoes: probably safe, but I know some people like to toss their potatoes in some kind of flour to make them even crispier.
Cole slaw: probably safe, but should make sure.
Baked beans: probably not safe as sometimes there is some kind of thickener added (like flour) that is not safe.
corn bread: probably not safe.

emyinpink, who I don't think has been ont he forums in a while, is gf and would probably know better. And also, unless a kitchen/caterer knows how to make things gluten-free, there is always the likelihood of cross-contamination that could get people really sick. A friend of mine went out for steak and potatoes at a restaurant that they assured was gluten-free, but apparently there was some sort of gluten in the steak marinade or in the potatoes that made him violently ill. Depending on how severe the person's celiac is, they could also die, but that's totally worst case scenario, like nut allergies. :P

Soy sauce has gluten in it too, fyi.

We have a lot of guests who have particular needs that we know of in advance so we're offering a vegan gluten-free option at our wedding and won't be having nuts in most of our entrees.

meganhardan · February 2011

Macpanda--I'm glad you agreed with me. I didn't want to be rude, but it's just imposible to accomodate everyone!

dreamwinds · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_washington-seattle_gluten?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:104Discussion:f29cec75-31ae-4d40-97b7-6c26dc5f130fPost:201bf0e4-750d-459d-a243-247b20ffe5a8">Re: Gluten Free?</a>:
[QUOTE]I might get totally ripped apart for this--but I don't feel like you should have to go above and beyond to accomodate every dietary issue--especially since there are so many different issues. I think you do the best that you (and your caterer) can. That may mean a few people have to pick and choose what they eat, but I think it's just impossible to accomodate everyone--and I think that most people with dietary issues are probably used to having to pick and choose what they eat, or planning to eat before they come. And, it's a wedding, so guests are getting a free meal--it's not a restaraunt where they are paying for their meal. Sorry if I offended anyone, just my 2 cents!
Posted by meganhardan[/QUOTE]

Not going to rip you, but maybe enlighten a little. Thing about gluten-free is similar to people who are allergic to nuts. People don't think twice about telling someone: I'm allergic to nuts, I think. And part of this is because gluten (and nuts) are sometimes in the oddest places you would never think of. It's not as easy as a vegetarian who can see that something probably has meat in it. It can be hidden in a lot of things and in some cases it can be incredibly lethal.

As much as it seems annoying to accommodate someone taking the time to come to your wedding for a free meal, it would kind of be annoying if you went to a wedding and seriously could not eat anything cause you had no idea whether one bite would kill you or not. :P

mgoss228 · February 2011

FYI: I asked people on the very bottom in a small font on the front of the RSVP card to list any food restrictions or allergies on the back of the RSVP card.

I'm not planning on doing anything more than to take all of the allergies/restrictions into consideration, and then asking my caterer if any of the food has any x, y, or z... and then I'll make signs to have next to the food items in the buffet line (so people w/ allergies will know what to avoid).

I really want to avoid any horrible allergic reactions at the wedding... nothing would ruin a wedding more imo than having a guest leave in an ambulance. eek!

We have had one of FI's cousins list a bunch of foods she won't eat. But she is 35 years old and is just a picky eater, she'll manage...

I'm a pretty picky eater myself, and can always figure out something to eat at weddings. We're serving buffet style, so the picky eaters can pick out EXACTLY what they want on their plate.

dreamwinds · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_washington-seattle_gluten?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:104Discussion:f29cec75-31ae-4d40-97b7-6c26dc5f130fPost:374615f5-64a4-4720-adea-5444f5c62221">Re: Gluten Free?</a>:
[QUOTE]and then I'll make signs to have next to the food items in the buffet line (so people w/ allergies will know what to avoid).
Posted by mgoss228[/QUOTE]

Hey, a random idea that sounds cute in my head:

Stamps? Like a green one for vegetarian, and blue ones for gluten-free, and red ones for "has nuts" or something? But I'm thinking that a buffet has signs for what each food is next to it and so this might not work if it's not like that. :)

kinmir30 · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_washington-seattle_gluten?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:104Discussion:f29cec75-31ae-4d40-97b7-6c26dc5f130fPost:841564c8-c6fc-4416-8761-ff6cbe42afad">Re: Gluten Free?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Gluten Free? : Not going to rip you, but maybe enlighten a little. Thing about gluten-free is similar to people who are allergic to nuts. People don't think twice about telling someone: I'm allergic to nuts, I think. And part of this is because gluten (and nuts) are sometimes in the oddest places you would never think of. It's not as easy as a vegetarian who can see that something probably has meat in it. It can be hidden in a lot of things and in some cases it can be incredibly lethal. As much as it seems annoying to accommodate someone taking the time to come to your wedding for a free meal, it would kind of be annoying if you went to a wedding and seriously could not eat anything cause you had no idea whether one bite would kill you or not. :P
Posted by dreamwinds[/QUOTE]

I definitely had no idea gluten was as serious as nut allergies, so thanks for this!

mgoss228 · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_washington-seattle_gluten?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:104Discussion:f29cec75-31ae-4d40-97b7-6c26dc5f130fPost:b3178830-5dba-4295-9c8b-9f5d54c69060">Re: Gluten Free?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Gluten Free? : Hey, a random idea that sounds cute in my head: Stamps? Like a green one for vegetarian, and blue ones for gluten-free, and red ones for "has nuts" or something? But I'm thinking that a buffet has signs for what each food is next to it and so this might not work if it's not like that. :)
Posted by dreamwinds[/QUOTE]

That's a great idea! I'll discuss this stuff with the caterer, once we get more RSVPs back.

meganhardan · February 2011

Mgoss--thanks for clarifying that you had asked that on the invite! I think you have a good plan for dealing with dietary issues (especially the signs).

Dreamswinds--
I thought I made it clear in my post, but I was not attempting to make light of being gluten-free or comparing it to being vegetarian even. I realize that is a serious dietary issue and that it's not always easy to determine what is or isn't gluten-free. I think Mgoss had a great idea to put up signs so people with food allergies are aware.

My point was that it's very difficult to accomodate every dietary issue when you are serving a limited menu, as most people do at a wedding.

In response to:
As much as it seems annoying to accommodate someone taking the time to come to your wedding for a free meal, it would kind of be annoying if you went to a wedding and seriously could not eat anything cause you had no idea whether one bite would kill you or not. :P

I didn't say anything about it being annoying, I just said that it can be very difficult. It was also definitely not my intention to sound ungrateful for people coming to our wedding, it's definitely appreciated, and I'm glad we can serve a full meal to our guests. I was just trying to draw a comparison between a limited wedding menu and a full menu at a restaraunt.

dreamwinds · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_washington-seattle_gluten?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:104Discussion:f29cec75-31ae-4d40-97b7-6c26dc5f130fPost:deeb9c0a-e56d-403a-80ab-d7310e16ca70">Re: Gluten Free?</a>:
[QUOTE]Is it bad that I find it a little odd that that guest wrote on the back of his card that he has gluten intolerance? I think I would be taken aback a little by that. I might get totally ripped apart for this--but I don't feel like you should have to go above and beyond to accomodate every dietary issue--especially since there are so many different issues.

Posted by meganhardan[/QUOTE]

I don't think it was that I thought you didn't take it seriously, but I felt you weren't aware of just how serious celiac can be, especially since your comment about dietary restrictions was prefaced with incredulousness that this guy would mention he is gluten-free. If I misunderstood you, I'm so sorry. I just assumed from what you wrote that you might not understood how serious celiac disease could be that people would feel the need to write it down, whether asked or not. :)

Sorry! :)

I also agree that all dietary preferences should not have to be accommodated, but I guess in my experience nut, gluten, and dairy allergies can be pretty bad, so things should be pointed out as ok to eat for those people at least. :)

meganhardan · February 2011

I think I was more surprised that someone would write that on the back of a RSVP card rather than call or personally talk to someone ( and I said "i find it a little odd" not that it was ridiculous

However, mgoss later clarified that she asked people about dietary restrictions--so I now understand why he wrote that

). I completely agree that he should let the host know so that they can let him (and other guests) know what is in the food they will be eating.

Honestly, I'm really glad that mgoss brought this up, because I think a lot of people (including myself) do not know a lot about food allergies or realize how hard it can be identify what's in food. I completely agree that allergies should be acknowledge and pointed out like you said, and I think the signs are a great idea.

I'm SO glad that we can discuss this in a civil way rather than some of the crazy posts I have seen on the national boards

kinmir30 · February 2011

hahahaha those national boards can get super crazy!!!!!!

dreamwinds · February 2011

I've never been on the national boards but from what people say... I'm kind of glad I never went. I think it's all too easy to get super nasty on the internet, but it doesn't have to be that way.

meganhardan · February 2011

I am too afraid to post, but I lurk sometimes, especially on the etiquette board. It can get really ugly! I just don't get it either--even if you don't agree with someone, you can still give them advice politely. Dreamwinds is totally right, it's so much easier for people to be mean when it's not face to face. I love that the Seattle board is much friendlier

mgoss228 · February 2011

Wedding Planning has really educated me in party planning (being a good hostess) and ALL that goes with it.

I seriously did not believe that peanut/nut allergies or gluten intolerance was real until I started posting on TK in 2009. I thought gluten intolerance was a choice, like being a vegetarian. And that peanut allergies were made up by overprotective parents trying to keep their kids from eating certain foods. And I thought IBS was the only reason someone could be allergic to Dairy.

I

our Seattle Board, and being able to ask whatever type of question that pops into my head and not get horribly flamed for it.

zoiesmurf · February 2011

Frankly I started doing a through skim once I got about halfway through the posts so I appologize if I'm repeating a bunch of stuff.

There are different levels of gluten allergies and I think the best way to deal with this is to speak with your caterer. Some people are merely allergic to gluten, and others have full out celiac. If your caterer knows what to do, making sure your menu is gluten free would be pretty easy (they could even make the corn bread with corn or rice flour

). One of the biggest hiding places for gluten is processed foods, because most often it is used as a binder (even in most lunch meats). A typical gluten allergy would probably experience uncomfortable allergic reactions, ranging from intestinal discomfort to hives to lymph system swelling/congestion, however celiac is much more serious and it could kill them to not only eat food with gluten, but eat food that had been prepared with utensils that had been used to prepare gluten foods (ie at thanksgiving we had to make sure we used a clean knife and cut the top piece of turkey off first for my cousin to ensure it had not touched gluten). The best thing is to speak with the person who has the allergy to find out about it and the seriousness. Most in my experience are only allergic to wheat grains, others are allergic to corn/rice/starches as well.

We are speaking with our cake baker about having cupcakes available for those with gluten allergies and our caterer is making all of our reception food gluten and dairy free (as I'm allergic to dairy, which is another allergy that has been growing in frequency(different than lactose intolerance)).

While it's probably not traditional to respond with an rsvp stating your allergies, and it may have been less akward to call, I understand the sentiment. Since I found out a couple months ago that I'm allergic to dairy I have been invited to couple functions and it's frustrating when there is seemingly nothing on the menu you can eat, but it's meal time and many people are insulted when you mention bringing your own allergy free food. I've found that most people with super serious allergies will just bring their own food to eat or will eat before/after.

Hope this helps.

Reilly2Be · February 2011

I agree with zoiesmurf. I have a dairy allergy and a small gluten allergy and when I i know I'm going to a function I always try to eat beforehand or bring my own snacks because I can't expect everyone to make a meal exception for me. I would talk to your guest about how serious his allergy is and possible have one meat that's gluten free and some veggies. You can't be expected to change everything for one guest and let him know you won't be offended if he needs to bring his own snacks/food for his own piece of mind.

ladyscronin77 · March 2011

Hi All!

Just wanted to throw out there that I am also Gluten Free and plan to self cater (scary I know!) and will be offering both Gluten Free and "regular: options. My Finace is not GF but tends to eat whatever I make LOL. If anyone has any questions, concerns, or would like help with suggestions please feel free to contact me as I have been Gluten Free for over 3 years. Planning a wedding while dealing with that can be hard but not impossible!

Gluten Free?

Re: Gluten Free?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards