In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_menu-draft-for-wedding-with-special-dietary-needs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:c939b4af-8bbd-4ee0-988d-00b6f0995958Post:1d3a63bd-e2cc-4011-8f50-086b936b36fa">Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs</a>: [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs : My friends and family are there to celebrate my FI and I getting married. Our wedding is about the two of us. It's our wedding, no one elses. I am not a HOSTESS, I am a BRIDE. We are both vegetarians and it's important to us to have as ethical a wedding as possible. Posted by charbakes[/QUOTE]
If you want your wedding to be just about the two of you and no one else, you need to cancel it and elope. Then you can be as selfish as you want with it, and don't have to consider anyone else. If you invite people, then you become their host/hostess and are therefore responsible for their comfort.
You also just insulted every non-vegetarian on the board by harping on your ethical and moral beliefs being so much more advanced than everyone elses, because you don't consume animal products. You can be an ethical and moral person and still eat meat. It's just a different form of it. But taking this position really makes you sound holier-than-thou and more than just a little snotty. It's quite offensive.
I maintain... you don't have to serve meat, but you need a wider varitey of choices and to serve a few more simple options. It doesn't really matter if you like them or not - you don't have to eat them. But you need to do it out of respect for your guests, otherwise some people will leave early because they are hungry and need to eat. Don't think they won't. They may not say anything to you, but they will talk.
And for the record, I do have medically-based dietary needs, and there still wouldn't be any main courses on your menu that I could eat and not have a problem (beyond them being unappealing). And I am happily providing vegan options at my wedding, because I do actually care about my guests having a satisfying meal that respects their belief system. There will just be meat options as well.
I'm a meat-eater and not offended by the OP's ethical feelings against eating animals. I'm a bit more offended by the idea that if I don't like the menu she's suggested, I'm gastronomically boring or narrow-minded! I love trying new things and would certainly sample this menu, but here's the thing: I like lentils, but as a complement dish, not a whole meal. My experience with chickpeas has been okay, nothing to write home about. I've never had cauliflower gratin--maybe I'd love it, maybe not. All in all, this menu represents a pretty significant leap of faith. Chances are I'd be able to eat a plate without actively complaining, but I'm not seeing any item that makes me think, "all right, yes, I KNOW I will like this."
Again, I am someone who happily eats Mediterranean, Indian, Thai, sushi, Indonesian, sauerkraut, couscous, quinoa, etc. I'm not the potato-and-chicken-nuggets shy eater that the OP seems to think I must be for being uncertain about her menu. Adding a pasta dish isn't about babying guests--it's about being gracious about the idea that just because you happen to love chickpea patties and chard, other people may not, and would appreciate at least one mainstream fallback option.
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_menu-draft-for-wedding-with-special-dietary-needs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:c939b4af-8bbd-4ee0-988d-00b6f0995958Post:159b5f74-4664-4d0e-8ec1-2bdd493b7336">Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs</a>: [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs : But see, since you invited guests to your wedding, it stopped being all about YOU. You're now responsible for making sure your guests are comfortable and properly hosted. Yes, you can properly host them without serving meat, but why invite them to your party, and then upset them with the menu? YOU may like this menu, and that's great. I just don't see it being very appealing to anyone who isn't vegetarian. Honestly, I find all 3 of the main dish options extremely unappealing, therefore, if I was at your wedding you'd have paid for me to have a meal that I would not touch. I doubt you have that kind of money to waste. Bottom line, if you include others you're on the hook for providing them with food they will like, not you. (Lots of people don't like eggplant either.) You need to be a good hostess and cater to the non-vegetarians as well as vegetarians. Posted by RebeccaB88[/QUOTE]
Non-vegetarians can eat vegetarian food. She can easily host her guests properly while not compromising her moral beliefs. That would be like telling someone who is a Southern Baptist that they HAVE to provide their guests with alcohol. Not so much.
Vegetarians cannot eat non-vegetarian food. There's a difference.
Okay, now let me get to the actual OP. FYI, I ALSO had a vegetarian wedding! This is what we served:
Passed hors d'oeuvres: quesadillas with brie, apple and chipotle crema; tofu satay with peanut sauce (vegan); vegetable croquettes with marinara (vegan); feta and eggplant stuffed piquillo peppers
Salad: butter lettuce, watermelon, goat cheese and tarragon-lemon vinaigrette
Soup: butternut squash with hazelnut oil
Main: choice of mushroom ravioli with parmesan and butter sauce or penne primavera with vegan pesto sauce.
Dessert: cake - choice of blackberry white cake or white/chocolate layer cake with hazelnut mousse
Trust me, planning the meal gave me a lot of stress. I wanted to be true to my morals, as well. However, we had friends and family from all over the country. (We live in SoCal and we consider ourselves "foodies," so it was hard to imagine how people who were used to more meat-and-potatoes meals might take a vegetarian wedding! I just pictured how my dad would react. )
Basically, we chose a good caterer and worked off some of his options. We got a LOT of compliments on the food! A lot of people didn't even notice it was vegetarian at first because they just thought it was good. Some people (my dad) might have grumbled, but those comments didn't get back to me.
However, as you can see, we went with a combination of food we thought people would enjoy (pasta for the main course) and what we thought was delicious at our tasting. The salad, for example, was a little unconventional. But it was the best salad we tried! By far. It was really good. So sometimes we just had to go with our guts.
Two questions: are you doing all the catering yourself? And are people choosing a dinner option, or do they get all 3 of those dishes?
I like all of the apps. For the cauliflower, there is a restaurant near me that does a "buffalo cauliflower" that is SO good. It's fried cauliflower tossed in buffalo sauce and served with vegan "bleu cheese." I don't know how they make the vegan sauce, because it doesn't taste vegan at all! Anyway, I was thinking if you tossed the roasted cauliflower in something - hot sauce, cayenne pepper, maybe even garlic? - it could perk it up a little.
I really think you only need one salad, preferably the one without nuts if there are allergies. People can pick out what they aren't crazy about. That's really not where I'd want to spend my time coming up with options. Unless it's a buffet. But even then, why bother?
For the main course, like I said above, if they get all 3 of these things, cool. I would serve the soup after the salad as a separate course (I did this at my wedding). If the lentil soup is awesome, cool. Otherwise, maybe a roasted tomato soup? That might be more familiar to the guests. Even with me serving butternut squash soup, I know there were a few guests who passed on that.
Since you are having the cauliflower earlier in the evening, I'd probably pass on the cauliflower gratin. I'd substitute a roasted/grilled vegetable medley, or else a mash of something else - potatoes would be the most familiar to your guests, though I think you could do other root vegetables as well.
Chickpea croquettes sound great!
With this kind of meal, though, I might do 2 options. I even did 2 pastas so people who didn't like mushrooms would have another option. If it's a buffet, that will be easy - just have a pasta. It won't be gluten-free, but the chickpea croquettes will be, so you're covered there. If you have people choose a meal on their RSVP card, give them the option of chickpea croquettes served with roasted vegetables or a pasta dish.
I feel like some people are getting up in arms about something that wasn't even said. Yes, ONE person suggested she serve meat and EVERY other poster has said she should not have to serve meat and to ignore that suggestion.
We are not saying to serve meat, for Pete's sake! I don't get why people are still arguing that. All people have been saying is that OP should serve SOMETHING of more substance and a little more "mainstream" or "normal" than what she currently has. And OP, by posting your menu and asking for opinions, you are asking for opinions. Besides the meat suggestion, i don't get why you are getting up in arms about this. You ASKED for it. You have been given lots of good, viable suggestions and have chosen to ignore them.
Honestly, this has nothing to do with vegetarin versus non, I just think your attitude about food is haughty and condescending. Great, you have culinary background. Many people don't, and many people don't like that type of food, vegetarian or not. I eat meat and there are plenty of "fancy" meat dishes I wouldn't touch. Instead of looking down your nose at others who don't have all the culinary experience you do, maybe you should be a good host and realize that is not everyone's taste (just like being vegetarian isn't for everyone) and offer something else guests can enjoy. Since that's your responsibility as the host of your wedding and all.
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_menu-draft-for-wedding-with-special-dietary-needs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:c939b4af-8bbd-4ee0-988d-00b6f0995958Post:63c3e8b2-26d6-4786-9ad1-c42b9755e149">Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs</a>: [QUOTE]I think it's ridiculous to ask a vegetarian to serve meat at their reception. However, my answer still stands. The menu is too limited. OP needs to add a more 'normal' vegetarian dish. Posted by lyndausvi[/QUOTE]
<div>THIS!!!! I've been to vegetarian weddings that were WONDERFUL (and I love me some meat). Frankly, I judge people who "have" to have meat with their meals. But there has to be a large variety of foods. OP's menu is way too limited. </div>
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_menu-draft-for-wedding-with-special-dietary-needs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:c939b4af-8bbd-4ee0-988d-00b6f0995958Post:bc74adb6-a7fc-4a4a-aefe-39dfeb8ad8d5">Re:Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs</a>: [QUOTE]In Response to Re:Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs: This is one of the most selfish and snooty things I have ever read on this board. Honestly, I think if I were your guest you'd actually increase my likelihood of eating meat by serving the above menu, because I wouldn't touch any of the three main courses and would therefore<strong> probably be so hungry I'd stop for a burger on the way home.</strong> You don't have to serve meat, but adding a simple pasta dish would prevent that. Posted by Sleeper2013[/QUOTE]<div> </div><div>Ummm ya me too. I'm a real meat kid of girl, but I often eat vegetarian with my FI's family, many of whom are vegetarian for religious reasons. When vegetarian is done well, I don't miss my meat, but I'm afraid your menu would just leave me hungry as hell. I think the apps are just fine, but you need more concrete meals as your dinner options. </div><div> </div><div>Right now your dinner are some croquettes and soup, which is my book, are apps. You also have a gratin, which is my world is a side dish, not a main course. This whole meals- a protein, vegetable, starch. There's nothing wrong with making that protein vegetarian, but it needs to be substantial.
As a meat eater, I agree you need to expand the main courses.
Why couldn't you have a pasta dish for those that would be looking for something a bit more traditional? I know my father wouldn't eat chickpeas and cauliflower.....he is a traditional meat and potatoes guy. At least a pasta dish would give him something to eat.
Your menu as is would have me (and many I know) leaving early and heading to the local pizza shop.
OP and some others have gone a bit cray cray. I didn't mean to start any sh*t by suggesting you serve meat. I didn't realize how strong your beliefs are. I also didn't say you were an a*hole for only serving veggie stuff. I just said I'd be disappointed. Get a freaken grip. I'd be fine without meat but I'd suggest like the other ladies to add a pasta dish that's more well known to non vegetarians, like a penne primavera, eggplant parm or a simple spaghetti with a fresh tomato sauce. Put your big girl panties on.
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_menu-draft-for-wedding-with-special-dietary-needs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:c939b4af-8bbd-4ee0-988d-00b6f0995958Post:0eb84f8f-dbf9-4b4c-a44b-a610b7dc6e0a">Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs</a>: [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs : Non-vegetarians can eat vegetarian food. She can easily host her guests properly while not compromising her moral beliefs. That would be like telling someone who is a Southern Baptist that they HAVE to provide their guests with alcohol. Not so much. Vegetarians cannot eat non-vegetarian food. There's a difference. Posted by msmerymac[/QUOTE]
Yes, and I believe I said she didn't have to serve meat in order to add a more mainstream meal option. You can cater to someone who isn't used to eating vegetarian and still not serve meat - should just be something substantial and generally more familiar. Neither of which the OP has offered her guests.
Add something more then beans and soup. Soup is not a meal. I'm assuming your reception is at a meal time? If that is the case, then you need to provide ALL guests with a meal. I would be left hungry after eating what you provided me as your guest. Add something. I would not enjoy a wedding reception if my stomach was growling, and I would probably leave early. Please don't add a meat, because I would not expect that, but a pasta or potato dish may fill my stomach better. Be considerate of everyone.
FWIW, I would not be afraid of your menu options or to try them. But I'm almost 30, so I already know what I like and don't like, and what I can eat without getting sick. Goat cheese and cauliflower do not appeal to me, and sometimes beans disagree with me, so I would avoid that, just in case.
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_menu-draft-for-wedding-with-special-dietary-needs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:23Discussion:c939b4af-8bbd-4ee0-988d-00b6f0995958Post:1d3a63bd-e2cc-4011-8f50-086b936b36fa">Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs</a>: [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs : My friends and family are there to celebrate my FI and I getting married. <strong>Our wedding is about the two of us. It's our wedding, no one elses. I am not a HOSTESS, I am a BRIDE.</strong> We are both vegetarians and it's important to us to have as ethical a wedding as possible. I'm not going to have any animal die because some people are too scared of vegetarian food to venture outside their comfort zone of steak and chicken. I spent too much money on culinary school to p*ss my wedding away on sh*tty catering food because people are picky. Maybe I'll have some cows out back and let my guest slaughter their own meat. Posted by charbakes[/QUOTE]
Sorry, but by arguing this, you lost everyone.
By inviting anyone other than yourself and your fiance, you <strong>did</strong> become a <strong>hostess.</strong> And being a bride does not give you the right to not properly prepare for your guests' needs, much less to belittle them. No bride who invites anyone else to her wedding is entitled to a "I'm not the hostess" attitude. It makes you a <strong>bridezilla.</strong> Is that really what you want to be over your morality?
That said, while you don't need to offer meat, dairy, or any other animal dishes, you do need to offer something besides soup and croutons as your main course. That's simply not enough. Pasta would be a good addition to your menu.
My sister is vegan so I can relate. I love most of the options you have listed, however,I would add a pasta to your main meal, butternut squash ravioli, fett. alfredo, something with a little more substance. How about a veggie tray, fruit tray or cheese tray as part of your appetizer selection. I am not a fan of cauliflower nor are alot of my friends, have maybe one cauliflower item . Yes, it is your wedding and You or your parents are hosting it.
Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs : My friends and family are there to celebrate my FI and I getting married. Our wedding is about the two of us. It's our wedding, no one elses. I am not a HOSTESS, I am a BRIDE. We are both vegetarians and it's important to us to have as ethical a wedding as possible. Posted by charbakes[/QUOTE]
If you want your wedding to be just about the two of you and no one else, you need to cancel it and elope. Then you can be as selfish as you want with it, and don't have to consider anyone else. If you invite people, then you become their host/hostess and are therefore responsible for their comfort.
You also just insulted every non-vegetarian on the board by harping on your ethical and moral beliefs being so much more advanced than everyone elses, because you don't consume animal products. You can be an ethical and moral person and still eat meat. It's just a different form of it. But taking this position really makes you sound holier-than-thou and more than just a little snotty. It's quite offensive.
I maintain... you don't have to serve meat, but you need a wider varitey of choices and to serve a few more simple options. It doesn't really matter if you like them or not - you don't have to eat them. But you need to do it out of respect for your guests, otherwise some people will leave early because they are hungry and need to eat. Don't think they won't. They may not say anything to you, but they will talk.
And for the record, I do have medically-based dietary needs, and there still wouldn't be any main courses on your menu that I could eat and not have a problem (beyond them being unappealing). And I am happily providing vegan options at my wedding, because I do actually care about my guests having a satisfying meal that respects their belief system. There will just be meat options as well.
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs : But see, since you invited guests to your wedding, it stopped being all about YOU. You're now responsible for making sure your guests are comfortable and properly hosted. Yes, you can properly host them without serving meat, but why invite them to your party, and then upset them with the menu? YOU may like this menu, and that's great. I just don't see it being very appealing to anyone who isn't vegetarian. Honestly, I find all 3 of the main dish options extremely unappealing, therefore, if I was at your wedding you'd have paid for me to have a meal that I would not touch. I doubt you have that kind of money to waste. Bottom line, if you include others you're on the hook for providing them with food they will like, not you. (Lots of people don't like eggplant either.) You need to be a good hostess and cater to the non-vegetarians as well as vegetarians.
Posted by RebeccaB88[/QUOTE]
Non-vegetarians can eat vegetarian food. She can easily host her guests properly while not compromising her moral beliefs. That would be like telling someone who is a Southern Baptist that they HAVE to provide their guests with alcohol. Not so much.
Vegetarians cannot eat non-vegetarian food. There's a difference.
40/112
Passed hors d'oeuvres: quesadillas with brie, apple and chipotle crema; tofu satay with peanut sauce (vegan); vegetable croquettes with marinara (vegan); feta and eggplant stuffed piquillo peppers
Salad: butter lettuce, watermelon, goat cheese and tarragon-lemon vinaigrette
Soup: butternut squash with hazelnut oil
Main: choice of mushroom ravioli with parmesan and butter sauce or penne primavera with vegan pesto sauce.
Dessert: cake - choice of blackberry white cake or white/chocolate layer cake with hazelnut mousse
Trust me, planning the meal gave me a lot of stress. I wanted to be true to my morals, as well. However, we had friends and family from all over the country. (We live in SoCal and we consider ourselves "foodies," so it was hard to imagine how people who were used to more meat-and-potatoes meals might take a vegetarian wedding! I just pictured how my dad would react.
Basically, we chose a good caterer and worked off some of his options. We got a LOT of compliments on the food! A lot of people didn't even notice it was vegetarian at first because they just thought it was good. Some people (my dad) might have grumbled, but those comments didn't get back to me.
However, as you can see, we went with a combination of food we thought people would enjoy (pasta for the main course) and what we thought was delicious at our tasting. The salad, for example, was a little unconventional. But it was the best salad we tried! By far. It was really good. So sometimes we just had to go with our guts.
Two questions: are you doing all the catering yourself? And are people choosing a dinner option, or do they get all 3 of those dishes?
I like all of the apps. For the cauliflower, there is a restaurant near me that does a "buffalo cauliflower" that is SO good. It's fried cauliflower tossed in buffalo sauce and served with vegan "bleu cheese." I don't know how they make the vegan sauce, because it doesn't taste vegan at all! Anyway, I was thinking if you tossed the roasted cauliflower in something - hot sauce, cayenne pepper, maybe even garlic? - it could perk it up a little.
I really think you only need one salad, preferably the one without nuts if there are allergies. People can pick out what they aren't crazy about. That's really not where I'd want to spend my time coming up with options. Unless it's a buffet. But even then, why bother?
For the main course, like I said above, if they get all 3 of these things, cool. I would serve the soup after the salad as a separate course (I did this at my wedding). If the lentil soup is awesome, cool. Otherwise, maybe a roasted tomato soup? That might be more familiar to the guests. Even with me serving butternut squash soup, I know there were a few guests who passed on that.
Since you are having the cauliflower earlier in the evening, I'd probably pass on the cauliflower gratin. I'd substitute a roasted/grilled vegetable medley, or else a mash of something else - potatoes would be the most familiar to your guests, though I think you could do other root vegetables as well.
Chickpea croquettes sound great!
With this kind of meal, though, I might do 2 options. I even did 2 pastas so people who didn't like mushrooms would have another option. If it's a buffet, that will be easy - just have a pasta. It won't be gluten-free, but the chickpea croquettes will be, so you're covered there. If you have people choose a meal on their RSVP card, give them the option of chickpea croquettes served with roasted vegetables or a pasta dish.
40/112
We are not saying to serve meat, for Pete's sake! I don't get why people are still arguing that. All people have been saying is that OP should serve SOMETHING of more substance and a little more "mainstream" or "normal" than what she currently has. And OP, by posting your menu and asking for opinions, you are asking for opinions. Besides the meat suggestion, i don't get why you are getting up in arms about this. You ASKED for it. You have been given lots of good, viable suggestions and have chosen to ignore them.
Honestly, this has nothing to do with vegetarin versus non, I just think your attitude about food is haughty and condescending. Great, you have culinary background. Many people don't, and many people don't like that type of food, vegetarian or not. I eat meat and there are plenty of "fancy" meat dishes I wouldn't touch. Instead of looking down your nose at others who don't have all the culinary experience you do, maybe you should be a good host and realize that is not everyone's taste (just like being vegetarian isn't for everyone) and offer something else guests can enjoy. Since that's your responsibility as the host of your wedding and all.
[QUOTE]I think it's ridiculous to ask a vegetarian to serve meat at their reception. However, my answer still stands. The menu is too limited. OP needs to add a more 'normal' vegetarian dish.
Posted by lyndausvi[/QUOTE]
<div>THIS!!!! I've been to vegetarian weddings that were WONDERFUL (and I love me some meat). Frankly, I judge people who "have" to have meat with their meals. But there has to be a large variety of foods. OP's menu is way too limited. </div>
Fatty Blog
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs: This is one of the most selfish and snooty things I have ever read on this board. Honestly, I think if I were your guest you'd actually increase my likelihood of eating meat by serving the above menu, because I wouldn't touch any of the three main courses and would therefore<strong> probably be so hungry I'd stop for a burger on the way home.</strong> You don't have to serve meat, but adding a simple pasta dish would prevent that.
Posted by Sleeper2013[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Ummm ya me too. I'm a real meat kid of girl, but I often eat vegetarian with my FI's family, many of whom are vegetarian for religious reasons. When vegetarian is done well, I don't miss my meat, but I'm afraid your menu would just leave me hungry as hell. I think the apps are just fine, but you need more concrete meals as your dinner options. </div><div>
</div><div>Right now your dinner are some croquettes and soup, which is my book, are apps. You also have a gratin, which is my world is a side dish, not a main course. This whole meals- a protein, vegetable, starch. There's nothing wrong with making that protein vegetarian, but it needs to be substantial.
</div>
May 2013 February Siggy: Invitations
Why couldn't you have a pasta dish for those that would be looking for something a bit more traditional? I know my father wouldn't eat chickpeas and cauliflower.....he is a traditional meat and potatoes guy. At least a pasta dish would give him something to eat.
Your menu as is would have me (and many I know) leaving early and heading to the local pizza shop.
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs : Non-vegetarians can eat vegetarian food. She can easily host her guests properly while not compromising her moral beliefs. That would be like telling someone who is a Southern Baptist that they HAVE to provide their guests with alcohol. Not so much. Vegetarians cannot eat non-vegetarian food. There's a difference.
Posted by msmerymac[/QUOTE]
Yes, and I believe I said she didn't have to serve meat in order to add a more mainstream meal option. You can cater to someone who isn't used to eating vegetarian and still not serve meat - should just be something substantial and generally more familiar. Neither of which the OP has offered her guests.
FWIW, I would not be afraid of your menu options or to try them. But I'm almost 30, so I already know what I like and don't like, and what I can eat without getting sick. Goat cheese and cauliflower do not appeal to me, and sometimes beans disagree with me, so I would avoid that, just in case.
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Menu draft for wedding with special dietary needs : My friends and family are there to celebrate my FI and I getting married. <strong>Our wedding is about the two of us. It's our wedding, no one elses. I am not a HOSTESS, I am a BRIDE.</strong> We are both vegetarians and it's important to us to have as ethical a wedding as possible. I'm not going to have any animal die because some people are too scared of vegetarian food to venture outside their comfort zone of steak and chicken. I spent too much money on culinary school to p*ss my wedding away on sh*tty catering food because people are picky. Maybe I'll have some cows out back and let my guest slaughter their own meat.
Posted by charbakes[/QUOTE]
Sorry, but by arguing this, you lost everyone.
By inviting anyone other than yourself and your fiance, you <strong>did</strong> become a <strong>hostess.</strong> And being a bride does not give you the right to not properly prepare for your guests' needs, much less to belittle them. No bride who invites anyone else to her wedding is entitled to a "I'm not the hostess" attitude. It makes you a <strong>bridezilla.</strong> Is that really what you want to be over your morality?
That said, while you don't need to offer meat, dairy, or any other animal dishes, you do need to offer something besides soup and croutons as your main course. That's simply not enough. Pasta would be a good addition to your menu.