Accommodating Dietary Preferences?

That would suck for them. And they'd get wasted. Have at least one app that the vegans can eat.

I'm vegan. This is what happens at every wedding I go to, and it does definitely suck. What are the vegan app options and meal options?

What about a hummus type station with veggies?

I might be the UO here.

I have celiac disease (gluten allergy), which I think is often in the same category as vegan/vegetarian while at events. I would not expect people to make their appetizers GF just for me. Would I appreciate it? Yes. I don't think it's necessary though. It's something I've learned to expect when I go to events, I usually throw a snack in my purse.

Meal options include curried mixed vegetables or grilled mixed vegetables.

There are no vegan app options, so I would need to pay extra to have the chef go off-menu. As a non-vegan, the only thing I can think of that would be a vegan app would be a veggie tray. Other guests would definitely like that but it would be annoyingly expensive to get the venue to make it, especially when I know I can get a huge platter at the grocery store for like $20.

I'm a big meat eater, but there are vegan options that are delicious as appetizers! Spring rolls, hummus, squash blossoms, and a whole host of veggie and fruit tarts made with vegan crusts or veggie or fruit kebabs.

You really should offer at least one they can eat. The caterer should absolutely have at least one in their menu, even if they have to sub the dairy or protein in an existing recipe

So your vegans will get veggies and veggies. That's pretty standard but very weak catering. There are thousands of vegan apps that omnis will love. It sounds like you are not wanting to do a vegan app due to cost. I am like CJ in that I always I assume I can't eat anything at weddings and bring a couple protein bars. Your vegans probably will too because it only takes one or two events before you realize that the standard is to feed vegans only vegetables. I would encourage you to ask your caterer about ideas for vegan apps (happy to recommend cookbooks if you need) and to add starch and protein to the vegan meals. See what they say before you decide.

OP- have you spoken to your caterer specifically about this issue? I know when booking mine I had brought up vegetarian and dietary restrictions. They would accommodate those and charge me the same as those with chicken or steak. Maybe they are willing to work with you?

ETA: spelling

The fact that they have NO vegan apps available without an extra charge is ridiculous.

There are plenty of amazing vegan options. And I'm a hard core meat eater...but I LOVE me some vegan fare.

If they won't work with you on including some vegan apps, I would most definitely pay for it. Your guests will appreciate it.

Also, please make sure you have a vegan dessert.

When I booked the venue, I was so excited about other things, vegan options wasn't really high on my list. I saw they had a vegan and vegetarian menu for the main entree, but I didn't think of cocktail hour until just now. Give me a moment and I'll copy over their menu for apps. I'd be happy to hear if any of these are vegan, I'm very out of the loop on what is actually vegan or not.

Have you asked your caterer about this? It may be possible for them to modify one of the choices for your apps to be vegan, probably the buffet one so they don't have to have the stuff running around looking for the vegan guests, by omitting certain ingredients while preparing them. You could ask them to place it on a different dish with a vegan sign next to it. It's likely that it will be very simple but at least it will be something for your vegan guests to enjoy. I also agree with others that there are some super tasty vegan options and I actually think that most omnivores wouldn't notice the missing animal products if prepared by a good caterer.

Hot Apps:

- Miniature Beef Wellington with mushroom duxelle

- Fresh Bay Scallops wrapped in smoked bacon

- Wild Mushrooms in a filo triangle

- Miniature Crab Cake with spicy red pepper aioli

- Butternut Squash Tartlets with brandy, dried fruit, and parmesan crust

- Chicken Quesadillas with guacamole cream

- Spinach and Feta Cheese layered in puff pastry

- New England Pot Pie with lobster

- Duck Spring roll with spicy orange ginger sauce

- Shrimp Tempura served with scallion soy dipping sauce

- Vegetable Empanada with guacamole cream

- Parmesan-Crusted Artichoke Hearts with spicy red pepper aioli

- Coconut Chicken with honey-pineapple dipping sauce

- Seared Beef Tenderloin Crostini with smoked horseradish cream

- Mac-n-Cheese Bite

- Seared Sea Scallop with white bean relish and corn salsa

- Mini Taco

- Grilled Cheese bite with tomato soup sip

- Mini Reuben Sandwich

Cold Apps:

- Mediterranean Skewer drizzled with basil-infused olive oil

- Smokes Salmon Bagel Crip, dill creme fraiche

- Cucumber Cups stuffed with crab salad

- Portobello Mushroom canape with goat cheese

- Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil served on crostini

- Lobster Salad in filo cup

- Cherry Tomato Canape with hummus

- Spicy Tuna Tartar

- Gazpacho Shooter

They should be able to make the wild mushroom, vegetable empanada, cherry tomato canapés (replace the cheese), and the gazpacho vegan without much effort. ETA: saw your chocolate post below. Chocolate can be vegan depending on the ingredients. Your caterer should be able to confirm for you. If not, just serve a few berries on the side with no chocolate!

@Yasmina Is chocolate vegan? We are having chocolate-covered strawberries with the cake for dessert.

Gazpacho would be vegan, as would the Mediterranean skewers. Depending on the preparation, the vegetable empanada might be.

What kind of chocolate are you having? Milk chocolate is not vegan. And, more than likely, the cake won't be vegan-friendly either.

Well.

They put cheese on a lot of those, but if they can maybe do the:

Butternut Squash Tartlets without the parm (and find out if there is egg in the dough for the tartlets)...

and maybe Crostini with tomato and basil with a little olive oil and pepper?

I'm not sure about the canape, because that will probably have egg in it...but if they could modify it at all, hummus is always a good vegan option.

The Gazpacho should be fine too, as long as they don't add any cream to it.

What's on the Mediterranean skewer? That might be vegan already. The squash tarts could potentially be made dairy-free. Can they make some cucumber cups that are stuffed with something vegan instead of crab? (Funny typo: I originally typed crap.)

I think you've got options here.

Ha, you can tell I'm pro-veggie. I automatically assumed that the skewers would be veggie friendly.