Food and allergies

I think let them bring. I know that may end up being the UO but I feel like it is just safer. If I had allergies and you had food for me I would probably still worry that maybe something got through.

I would say, perhaps in this instance it may be easier to do as those families are suggesting. Cross contamination can happen and the reactions can be very bad.

If they said let them handle it, then I would just let them handle it. While it is a super thoughtful gesture to think of accommodating them, allergies can be so touchy! Heaven forbid the little girls found was cross contaminated somehow in the process and something happened! For that reason I would take their word for it, for everyone's safety!

Let the families take care of this. As a nurse that is the safest!!!! Gives a whole new meaning to taking their breath away!

HisBeauty- that's why we had asked them for the allergies. My cousin's daughter is allergic to dairy, eggs, nuts, and I think gluten but I'm not sure on the gluten. The others are severe and life threatening.

Ellaenchanted- I am diabetic and am not used to being accommodated so I try to go above and beyond for others and any social gathering I host. In this case though I know it is harder and I wasn't sure what exactly to do.

As someone with food allergies, let them accommodate themselves. If they say it's easier, they they know best.

If they said they would bring then I wouldn't worry about providing. Probably easier and more piece of mind for them to bring their own food

I have severe allergies (dairy and nut) as does one of my bridesmaids (gluten) and tbh other than at my own wedding, I never expect to be able to eat at the weddings. The best thing would be labeling particularly an hors d'oeuves or buffet items.

One thing would be to find out if the allergies are airborne or touch sensitive. (My nut allergy is moderately touch sensitive. Like if I use stuff with nut oil I break out in hives, but some people can't even be in the same room as their allergen.)

If you can accommodate, it's always great but when I'm a guest I at a social event I rarely expect it.

It's safer for them to do it. It's wonderful you wanted to accommodate, but with certain allergies it's safer for them to bring their food.

I'm allergic to seafood, strawberries, and also lactose intolerant. I can't have any cross contamination with seafood due to anaphylactic reaction. I actually had someone insult me when I said I won't serve seafood, ever... smh..

I agree with all the PPs. In addition, you could ask if there is anything the venue can do to assist them (refrigerate and/or re-heat food in their containers)

I have a rare food allergic reaction (diagnosised after several ER trips :/) and I don't expect food most places (I'm also vegetarian so I usually don't even bother trying to explain how I eat!) Even if the food is vegan I usually can't eat most of it. I just plan on eating later or sooner or bringing my own. I also do NOT depend on asking people the ingredients... people forget what they put in their food and ingredients can be hid in other ingredients... if your family with special diets offered to accommodate themselves definitely let them and don't worry- they know what best and have probably had some bad experiences in the past. I know people have tried feeding me food I'm allergic to and it didn't go well.

I had a guest allergic to egg, soy, diary, and nuts. Our venue said that getting a safe meal for him would be doable.

Somewhere along the way some cross contamination happened and he had a small reaction. Nothing that benedryl couldn't handle, but that pretty much knocks him out and I felt so bad.

We wanted him to feel included, but i wonder if it might have been better to let them take care of it themselves.

If your caterer is willing to work with these guests to create a meal for them after discussing their specific allergies I may try to accommodate them or at least the adult as she isn't likely to go into anaphylaxis...my husband is highly allergic to peanuts, his sis is highly allergic to soy. And vegetarian...So we took extra precautions with our menu to accommodate them...we didn't have anyone else with serious allergies, just people who follow diets for religious purposes, so we made sure the buffet accommodated options for those people as well. It would not be the worst thing for them to supply their own food as I'm sure they are used to it, but it'd be a nice gesture

Let them bring it. I have a severe allergy myself and I just prefer most of the time to handle my own food. I love that you are trying to accommodate them though. With my allergy (tomato) it's not always obvious to those not used to looking for it. I will say that I have made some great friends the past few months who actually send me recipes of the intended meal so I can double check them. One couple has allergies so they are so on top of cross contamination which is huge. Im still trying to teach MIL. It took 10 minutes for her to understand why I wasn't willing to slice her tomatoes at a BBQ and DH stepped in and made her realize how serious it is. I know my caterer very well and have worked with him in the past. The fact that he takes things so seriously for me is why I started using him. My food is made first then removed to a safe location before any type of tomato is ever brought in. Eating out is nerve racking for me.

Do as they ask, for sure.

Do as they ask, especially the little girl. It's nice that you want to accommodate them. But as someone with a severe nut allergy (potentially fatal depending on the nut), I hate making people go out of their way to accommodate me, ESPECIALLY at their weddings (honestly I would rather starve than have them worry about me on their day). Also, it sounds like the parents would prefer to bring their daughter's food. I second PPs suggestion of having the food labeled with the most common allergens if you are really worried about food allergies.

Check with your venue about outside food being brought in. While it might be safer for those with allergies to bring food in, your venue may not allow it for liability purposes. If that is the case and your guest still prefer to take care of their own food, they might have to eat beforehand.

Your best bet is to work with your caterer and have special meals/menu prepared. Also, find out how severe the allergy is. Is it so severe that food cannot be prepped in the same kitchen, like certain nut allergies are so severe that people can't eat from a facility that processes peanuts? Or is the allergy limited to only food that is injested? I have a number of people at my wedding with food allergies and I've worked with them and my caterer to identify them and plan for them. Granted, none would cause anaphylaxis, but some of the allergies, like celiac's, are pretty severe.

Let them bring their own food especially since they offered

The candida diet isn't an allergy... it's just a diet.If she wants to bring her own food she can, I don't know what her "rules" are for that.

For the allergic child- I would see what the parents are comfortable with but absolutely be communicative with the staff about it regardless of if they bring their own food or not.