Vegan Wedding

I don't have any Vegan wedding planning experience but have some relatives who are both Kosher and Gluten free and a lot more that are Kosher style. FH and I are not but originally toyed with the idea of a vegetarian wedding to appease all the Kosher style folks. In the end we're going to just have veggie options and pre-packaged Kosher meals from a Kosher caterer for the 10 or so strict Kosher folks.

Since it is important to you guys ethically to go Vegan across the board I'd do heavy research on Vegan options that are friendly to omnivores (so less of the tofu/seitan vibe and more of the things lots of people like in their day to day world). I'm sure STL has Vegan restaurants that could guide you in the right direction.

Same argument different day. If it's okay for vegans not to provide meat, then it's okay for those with moral objections to alcohol to provide only non-alcoholic drinks. Can't have it both ways.

Would you all go to a kosher wedding and get upset about it because they are forcing their beliefs on you? Probably not.... You would just hope the food is good and eat your meal.

If I went to a LDS wedding I would fully expect it to be dry.

Just ignore the folks with the same things to say you have already heard a million times, OP.

I like evites, but the consensus is that guests do not take them as seriously as paper invites, and so are less likely to RSVP or even show up if they RSVP yes. When you combine that with issues with them getting filtered as spam, and some guests not using email, you are left with paper. The recycled option already posted is a nice one, and I know Minted has a recycled paper option. I am sure there are lost of options out there, and you can always buy paper you like and print your own from a template.

As for catering, I am hopeful about an elopement but if not I am slowly researching Indian food because we both super love it, as do the majority of our guests and we have a couple places here that have predominantly vegan buffets and cater (no ghee, yay!). It's an option to consider but that obviously depends on your crowd and what kind of wedding you are shooting for.

Suits can be an issue, but obviously there are lots of options like linen and viscose. Denver Bespoke is nice, if a little pricey but you end up with a very high quality suit that will last virtually forever.

There are lots of recycled gold and ethical jewelry companies now for rings. I believe Brilliant Earth is one, as is Bario Neal, and Fair Jewelry Action has a great list.

It is such a great time to be vegan now and there are so many options that didn't exist before. I am excited to see what you decide to do! Lots and lots of great advice and help on here, so do come back.

I think most folks are of the agreement that a dry wedding due to religious beliefs is, while often a bit less fun, totally appropriate if all other things are up to snuff.

Off topic: but MNBride I totally read 'LDS' as 'LSD'... I was thinking "how would that be dry if there are drugs?"

@Always another option for rings is vintage. They are also usually more bang for your buck. I got one because of price and I didn't like the thought of having a piece made for me when there are plenty out there that already exist.

I can admit to having an UO. And that is fine. It doesn't change my mind that I think it's rude to force others to eat like you because it's just "one meal". It's not very inviting, or respectful of the people you are supposed to be THANKING for being there. I think it says "I'm morally right and you are wrong and I'm not changing so here eat this and I don't care if you like it!" But yet the other way around, people are expected to pay extra and do whatever possible to properly host their guests with a vegan meal. Doesn't seem fair to me. But again, I can see when I am in the minority and that is totally fine. OP is obviously going to do it anyway. But that brings me back to my question.

WHAT do you need from us, OP??? You want a vegan meal? Hire a vegan caterer! Simple. Done. You eat like this every day. Statistically speaking, you know you are asking this of a wide range of people who are majority NOT VEGAN. What advice to you need from us? Seems like an early WTF bait to me...her first post ever on WW about a menu she needs TWO AND A HALF YEARS FROM NOW????

Thanks to everyone for the comments and those that stayed positive! I have never heard of the seed invitations, that's a really good idea! So is keeping things as normal as possible (ie pasta, sautéed vegetables?, salad, rice, fruit, desserts). I think that will help keep everyone as happy and full as possible!

That is an great point, Penguins! My ring was my grandmother's and I have actually worn it as a right hand ring for over twenty years. I need to start the hunt for vintage wedding bands, because I have a feeling that could take some time.

@Always I got mine from my local jeweler, who actually just started focusing on estate jewelry. You have to be a little less picky, because you can only choose from what you are presented with, but that was fine with me. Try to find an estate jeweler in your area. There are a ton of rings out there. The best part is you can negotiate, since there is no labor involved, just the initial cost.

I hate to think of all of the beautiful jewelry thats melted down for scrap because it doesn't sell. I think the vintage stuff is so interesting and unique.

Yes my wedding is 2 and a half years from now. I am in the military and that will be the most opportune time to be home. That being said, planning early is just how I am. And I learned lots, Indian or thai food is a great idea! About invites and rings too. It is helpful getting the feedback from others also!

Alyssachu: Have you ever been to a really good vegan restaurant or had a meal prepared by a really good vegan chef? I find most people who consider vegan food to be "not proper hosting" haven't actually had the good stuff and aren't familiar with what it can be.

I personally have no problem with a vegan couple serving only vegan food, as long as there are lots of options and plenty of protein. BUT I really fucking hate when people tell posters to stay positive. It makes me want to be negative. Just sayin'.

@AlywaysMrs.- Have you ever had a really good burger?

Ok, I am joking. Really I am. But to prove a point. I can respect vegans. This is just hard for me because I feel disrespected by vegans because situations like this make it seem like they think I am clearly a horrible person because I eat meat. The only reason I don't like vegan food is because I haven't eaten at a really good vegan restaurant? Do you see how that can come off as condescending? I could say the same thing to you. The only reason you don't like meat is because you haven't had a really good burger. Because man, a really good burger is fucking really good.

Ok,I am not here to argue. Just offering a different side. And now that OP has proven she isn't baiting, I will take my meat eating ass elsewhere. For those not in the chat thread, I admitted to being in a horribly cranky mood, so while I stand by everything I said, I can admit I came off harsh.

Minted's recycled paper is great quality! We used it for our invitations.

I'm not vegan but I'm on the side of being fine with it for one meal, provided it's good quality. If the meal included tofu, I would eat around that (not a fan of the texture). I always like stuffed peppers and stuffed portobellos. When we have vegan friends over for parties I get vegan phyllo dough and stuff that with mushrooms or spinach mixtures. But if you find a good vegan caterer, they will have their own list.

It seems your set on serving vegan, but I have two suggestions:

1- consider serving some vegetarian, but not vegan dishes if you could. They may be more appealing, but not as extreme as serving meat.

2- I know you said no fake meat, but some are more filling than just veggies and carbs. Seitan, tempeh, and TVP can all be cooked well and be very filling. Meat eaters tend to hate tofu, but I've seen meat eaters devour chili with TVP.

Beautivant: I was omni until about ten years ago, including over ten years as a professional chef. So, yeah, I have had a good burger.

I was asking Alyssachu a question to see if her hesitancy was based on inexperience with really good vegan food, or just feeling that it was not proper hosting based on something else. I am obviously interested in the issue for personal reasons, so when people have an issue with it who have tried it I take that into consideration. Just information seeking. If you feel condescended to by that, that was certainly not my intention.

Another St. Louis bride, yay. I'm pretty sure there are some vegan friendly restaurants in the city, maybe find one of those you live and see if they would be willing to cater.