Vegetarian wedding ? help!

@Nikki by spoiled child I meant complain the whole way there to me, but still eat the food and be pleasant.

@A.L.C I didn't say it wasn't rude. And I didn't say he wouldn't go. He would just bitch about it before and after.

I love how everyone here has a stick up their ass and assume my FH would be rude to the couple. He's actually very kind, generous and polite and wouldn't say a damn word to the hosts. But I don't like to listen to him bitch about vegetables. I was being over dramatic for humor purposes and, frankly, I'm pretty pissed at how many of you act like you know my FH and think he's rude just because of one comment that I made that wasn't even serious. Unbelievable.

You might have more luck sourcing ethically produced sausage than any other type of meat.

As long as I was full, I'd be fine with one meal. Indian is a fantastic option.

I would be totally fine with a vegetarian menu. It's one meal. My FH who eats meat with every meal says he would be cool with the vegetarian menu as long as there were a few options. Meaning as long as it's not just one style pasta with tomato sauce. A good caterer should find a solid, balanced veg option.

To those saying they must serve meat, you've never had a vegetarian meal in your life? Would you insist vegetarian friends serve meat if you were at their home for a meal? It's literally just one meal.

I'll echo everyone else: no, you don't need a meat option. People can live with one meatless meal. What would happen if you served BBQ? There would only be a couple side options for people who didn't want meat. And, if a meat option was necessary, then how is it ok to only offer beer and wine, but no liquor?

Being opposed to it for moral reasons is just as valid as religious reasons. Don't serve it. My dad is a cattle farmer and I grew up on beef, my sister is a vegetarian. I wouldn't expect a Muslim or Jewish person to serve pork, a Mormon to serve alcohol, or a vegetarian to serve meat. Kudos if they do but seriously not a bad thing if they don't. Just get delicious food and no one will realize it. (Unless they're all about murdering animals for every meal in which case brush it off)

@Brie and @Emily: Actually, it's far from ignorant. People who choose to be vegetarian, diabetic or not, do the research to ensure they are eating things that are going to stabilize their blood sugars. For people, myself included, who do NOT choose to live eating a vegetarian diet, that main stabilizing food is often meat, or eggs, or peanut butter.

Just because you are well aware of the protein subs for a vegetarian diet doesn't mean that everyone will be, and it's incredibly ignorant to assume others will be, or assume that they will eat those kinds of foods. I know, for instance, that beans are a great source of protein, but the texture gags me. If I went to a wedding where that was the main protein option, guess what? I'm going hungry.

Again, for your reception, you should be thinking of other people, not yourself.

As for the dry wedding due to PTSD, I don't think anyone here would have said anything negative to her. That would fall under one of the few acceptable dry wedding exceptions. I will say, I truly hope she's getting therapy for it. It would suck to not be able to go out to eat at any nice restaurant where they serve alcohol.

I eat meat for almost every meal and would be completely fine with a vegetarian menu. It's not improper hosting to only have vegetarian; as long as the food is appropriate for time of day (i.e. dinner at dinnertime), it's fine.

I'd be fine, except doesn't your husband eat meat? He ate the fish for you.

Also, bridalbrie l, call me terrible I don't care but I think your friend should've had alcohol. She can't just hide from alcohol for the rest of her life. What does she do at any sports bar?

I would assume that if the host is vegetarian, then he or she would understand how to put together a BALANCED vegetarian meal with carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Given this is a lifestyle they choose to live, it is reasonable to assume they have done their research and can adequately plan a meal that offers protein. If the host can't do that, then the caterer will be able to. It's basic menu planning.

Molly I hate beans too, the taste and texture. Fucking disgusting.

I went to a wedding once that had one vegetarian played meal. Was it my favorite meal ever? No. Did I die? Nope.

Are you having an open bar? If I had free alcohol I would be much less likely to be grumpy about missing my meat.

Will you be including non-dairy and non-soy options? As someone who is allergic to milk and soy, meat is an incredibly safe option for me. So if I was going to a wedding that had alfredo this, cheese covered that, edamame or tofu everywhere then I would be highly upset and probably leave to not risk getting a rash from touching the food or an internal reaction from eating it.

Are you listing WHY you won't have meat? Because I don't recommend that. As someone who studies/works in the livestock, meat, and agricultural industry I would be highly offended that someone who cared enough to have me at their wedding would insult my passion and beliefs so much.

You've mentioned that you oppose meat but didn't say anything about your FH - what's his view?

My wedding menu will be completely vegan. We are working with one of the top caterers in the area who also happens to frequently do vegetarian/vegan-only events. Luckily, none of our guests are die-hard meat eaters, and more culinary adventurous than some. My suggestion would be to take this as an opportunity to showcase to your guests just how delicious and satisfying *well-prepared* vegetarian food can be - as opposed to just serving the standard fare, minus the meat - which understandably might lead guests to feel like something is missing. If you provide a variety of well-balanced options prepared by someone who knows vegetarian cooking, I believe you'll be able to avoid a riot or any guests collapsing on the dance floor. Enjoy being able to indulge in any and all of the food at your own wedding while sticking to your morals and properly hosting your guests with plenty of delicious food that just so happens to be vegetarian!

I think a vegetarian meal would be fine, although I'm not a big meat-eater normally. I would be careful about serving soy-based meat alternatives though if you were thinking of offering that, soy is one of the most common allergens.

I would be okay with a vegetarian meal, but not vegan. I hope you throughly label the foods being served. Many vegan substitues use nuts and/or soy products that I cannot eat. ETA: Also, when I say "cannot" I am referring to an allergy not preference.

As long as the options for the meal aren't super light (if there is an entree salad for dinner, I'd be pissed), I think it's ok if you don't serve meat. Just make sure the meal is substantial enough so that people don't feel shortchanged. We ordered salads for lunch yesterday at work and I was super salty because we were catering to the vegetarian on the team and I don't think salad is a meal!!! So as long as the food is "heavy" enough, it's ok. Maybe vegetarian lasagna, a gorgeous ratatouille and rice, etc. Dishes were meat won't be missed would be perfect.

Go to a farm and get organic beef/wild caught fish. Sorry, but your guests do not follow the same dietary restraints as you or the same needs. I am also not a big fan of Indian food either so I wouldn't be able to eat that.

Erika, I really like the stations option! I would not expect someone to serve something that goes against their personal beliefs for my sake.

As a host, you should provide a meal to fill your guests. There are plenty of filling foods that are meatless. I'm a huge meat eater, but I can also eat pasta like nobody's business. I think a vegetarian meal is perfectly fine.

I ordered a vegetarian meal for delivery last night and managed to drink all the wine. I was still stuffed when I woke up this morning.

I would be fine with a vegetarian meal and so would DH. There are a ton of options to help satiate the guests that are more than pasta and potatoes.

FWIW - I wouldn't fully eliminate the salad. I love a good salad with my pasta (or potato).

I think anyone coming to your wedding would know that you're a vegetarian (or vegan? I couldn't tell by your post). My sister is a vegan and I wouldn't imagine her having a non vegan wedding. If you've got really filling and diverse types of vegetarian and vegan (don't just do vegan, I'm sorry but I need cheese, milk and eggs lol) dishes your guests will still be happy. Otherwise if you're really worried about your guests not being happy then try to find a local meat source your caterer can work with. They will also be able to suggest entrees that use little meat so you can use less of it. If it was my wedding and I was vegetarian I would totally not want to serve meat so I get why you wouldn't. As long as you do everything you can to make your guests satisfied you're good to go...