Accommodating Dietary Preferences?

Just saw your other comment, Silverlava.

I honestly think it depends on how its made.

We brought in vegan chocolate chip cookies, made in a vegan bakery for our 2 guests, and they were over the moon.

Would something like that be possible?

MrsSki is right. Also, the spring rolls can be vegan if they sub teriyaki tofu (they just buy and slice it), and things like the Med Skewer may be veggies and gazpacho is vegan if they don't put dairy sour cream or creme fraiche on it.

What is on the Mediterranean Skewer? That one might already be vegan. Otherwise, I agree that the mushroom and cherry tomato canapes, gazpacho shooter, and veggie empanada could likely be made vegan pretty easily. They might even be able to make the artichoke hearts work if they nix the cheese. Are they able to do a bruschetta or some assorted crostinis that would be vegan? Is your venue able to add pasta or rice to the entrees? One of my co-workers is vegan and we went to an event once and she was absolutely thrilled when the caterer brought her a pasta dish with tomato sauce and mixed veggies. She said she usually just gets a sad plate of soggy, flavorless veggies at those types of events.

FH has two friends that are vegan, they're invited to our wedding, and if they accept, then we're going to go pretty hard core to make sure they can have satisfying food options. No one else on our guest list is, and we have I think 2 vegetarians invited.

I'm not going crazy about making sure there are good vegan options until I know if they're going to be able to make it. I talked with my caterer and mentioned we might need vegan options, and she said it could be accommodated. If they are coming, I plan to have FH call them (they're his friends) and offer them the options so they can pick what they think is most satisfying. Since I'm not vegan, I don't feel confident I would like the same thing they would like. Can you ask these vegan friends/family of yours what would be best for them?

Honestly, there are a lot of vegan apps that I would eat, especially a lot of Mediterranean food. If you serve something vegan that's also delicious, then other people will eat it too and you're not wasting your money.

I'm vegan and so is FH. The wedding we went to in September made sure we both were given a vegan meal and salad. It's 3 people. Your caterer or venue should be able to accommodate. If you really want them there, treat them as good as your other guests.

I would be more concerned with the weak options for an entree, honestly. Is there anything they can do besides "mixed vegetables"?

They could just add chickpeas and/or sauteed seitan to the curry, serve over rice and you are golden.

I'm with CJ-- these are people who know their food choices (they are not afflicted with a disease like celiac, or diabetes-- they're choosing to eat vegan, after all) may not be accommodated and will probably eat accordingly in advance. I have to agree with PPs-- I'm an omnivore, and I LOVE hummus, not to mention veggies and dip.

I am torn. I agree with CJ and Zoe, but I also understand the importance of treating each guest with love and respect.

Have you asked the vegan guests? They may surprise you with their answers. Maybe they will have some better ideas, but I would not accommodate an entire cake for three people. I'd just offer them some other dessert.

I wouldn't spend extra money, but if you could pick one of those apps as a vegan app it would be nice.

Speaking as a former caterer?

We don't usually just prep your party. Depending on the company, we might be prepping for 1000 people or more over any given weekend, especially one like yours, a prime, busy weekend. When the kitchen has to prep something they don't normally prep, it represents a larger than you'd think chunk of labor. That's why it costs. And many of the hors d'oeuvres you eat? They are not made in house, they are brought in. Doesn't make them bad, it just makes them standardized.

The gazpacho should be vegan, and that is probably made at the venue. Hummas, tabouleah (sp....), veggie platters; all of that is probably good too. If you're doing a cheese display with olives and roasted veggies, that should be good too. Possibly stuffed mushrooms if they are making them and not buying them. But honestly, only top level, high priced place make their hors, no matter what they tell you.

I think its good to have at least one meatless option for apps, but I do not think you have to bend over backwards for those 3 people, as long as they have a dinner they can eat. They are used to not being able to eat everything on the menu. Being vegan is a CHOICE.

I'm a vegetarian with a gluten allergy. I would never expec t a wedding to accomodate me. Ive been to many weddings where I couldn't eat. I usually bring a snack.

I have two vegans and a vegetarian in my guest list. I have asked the venue if they have anything that would be considered vegan for an app, or if the chef would be willing to come up with something.

You could even have fruit cocktail or something like that. Might not be the most sophisticated thing in the world, but it's vegan and plenty of people will eat fruit!

We are doing mac and cheese balls for a vegan app. We will also have a veggie tray and cracker and cheese tray.

Cheese from dairy isn't vegan.

DH has a co-worker whose wife is gluten free. I'm not sure if she has celiacs, but I know she's gluten free for health reasons. She didn't end up coming to the wedding, but had she, you bet that I would've made sure she had some options. I've met her once, but I personally feel like it's common decency and good hosting to accommodate people (within reason). I consider having at least one vegan app, one vegan entree and one vegan dessert, accommodation within reason. As others mentioned, it should be really easy to make one of those apps vegan if none of them already are. People who aren't vegan will still eat the vegan option, so I don't really see what the issue is.

I don't understand why you assume your caterer couldn't make so many items on that list just tweaking a few things? I have a very cheese heavy menu but when I mentioned a fresh milk allergy, my caterer said she'd use plant based milks instead! in everything!)

the caterer WANTS everyone to eat and enjoy...

are you assuming these can't be done? have you asked??

Not sure if this was suggested, but I would choose to do one of two things:

-Ask the caterer to make a small plate of vegan apps for just those three people, and have someone inform them.

-Make a smaller amount of apps for everyone that happen to be vegan. You don't need enough for everyone.

No matter what, your friends will appreciate that you went out of your way to think about them. Your caterer should be able to come up with something that will not cost that much extra.