Fiancé and I are both vegetarians, so plan on having only vegetarian food at the wedding, but my parents think the omnivores will be up in arms about it. They even seem to think some might not attend because of it!

Surely they can go without meat with their main meal for one day?!

Ultimately it's our decision, as Ed and I are paying for the wedding, but I just thought I'd ask on here!

I wouldn't have a massive issue with it, and certainly wouldn't not attend because of it, but I would find it a bit 'preachy' and judgmental if I'm being honest. My parents would be really ticked off, as would a lot of their friends, for the same reasons. Again, they wouldn't not attend, but they wouldn't be at all impressed.

I get that it isn't clear-cut and that vegetarians obviously have moral objections to eating meat, so might be unhappy paying for it; but I'm not convinced a wedding day is the time to make a kind of political stand; I personally think if you're hosting an event, it's your duty as hosts to make sure everyone feels comfortable, and to me, refusing to serve meat isn't the best way to go about that.

Hello,

I am personally wouldn't have a issue at all. I would find it quite nice to have a surprise of different food. At the end of the day you know you truely won't please everyone, so even if you had a meat option someone would moan saying they prefer a different meat or different sauce etc. I would go for what you want, if you re paying too. X

Would there be a couple of choices on what vegetarian food you could have?
I think sometimes people are scared of veggie meals because they possibly haven't tried much.
It wouldn't put me off. I'd be polite and respectful and if I struggled with it, I'd get sausage and chips on way home, not meaning to be rude there, that's just what I would do if needed.
It shouldn't stop anyone having a good day with you.

I think they should eat what you provide, it is only one day that they dont eat meat.

I wouldn't be offended at all. There's bound to be a few people who won't like it but I wouldn't think they wouldn't attend just because of the food!

Lol Tori, great minds think alike! x

Surely they would just want to be part of your day, and wouldn't be fussing over the menu - food is food! :) It's your day, so go with whatever you feel comfortable with.

Thanks everyone.

Barbie - to follow up on your comments. I can assure you that Ed and I are NOT preachy and judgemental vegetarian types, I don't look down on meat-eaters or anything like that, and I certainly have no problem being around people when they're eating meat.

You mentioned the exact reason why we are planning on vegetarian only food - we don't want to spend our hard earned money on meat - because we do have a moral objection to it.

Also, I don't see it as refusing to serve meat, we're simply deciding not to in order to reflect our principles. As I said to my mum, I don't get why meat is the default "normal", and having vegetarian only food is seen as being "a political statement." (My mum said it's a political statement too!)

I respect your opinion though, just wanted the opportunity to respond to it.

Oh I'm fully prepared that some people might not like it, in fact I have a good idea of one or two who will certainly say something on my side of the family, so much so I'm thinking of giving them a heads up just so it doesn't shock them completely!

I personally wouldn't like it, it wouldnt stop me from attending but would you be shocked if you went to a wedding where they didnt serve a vegetarian option? I personally choose my meals based on the meat in the dish so I would struggle with vegetarian but it is your wedding and ultimately your choice xx

I am not vegetarian but I dont enjoy meat that much, you can create amazing vegetarian meals, actually, when i go out for a meal i always order vegetarian meals, i would love it!!go for it!! xx

Thanks for the latest feedback.

PrincessPixie - yes I would be shocked if I wasn't offered a vegetarian option, because meat-eaters can eat vegetarian food, but I can't eat "their" food. I get that sounds hypocritical, but there we are. Having said that, I went to a wedding once where the bride claims to have forgotten to pass on the fact there was one vegetarian, but I didn't kick up a fuss. I just asked for a plate without the meat on it and helped myself to the vegetables on the table. Good enough for me!

NB: Some meat-eaters probably eat food that is suitable for vegetarian more than they realise they do. I was out to dinner with a friend once, eating my lemon asparagus risotto, when my friend said, "I don't know how you do it you know, that vegetarian thing." My friend was eating macaroni cheese, which if made with non-animal rennet cheese, is perfectly vegetarian. When I pointed it out to her, she laughed!

NB2: As we've now booked up with a venue, we will meet with the head chef there a bit nearer to the time, but we have had informal discussions with him. The plan is to come up with a choice menu BEFORE the invitations go out, with say four or five options on for each course, and allow guests to choose the options they want. The chef is confident he can come up with a wide variety of options, which will cater for everyone, even the most discerning meat-eater!

We had several vegetarians attend our wedding - we had 2 meat options and about 4 veggie options. Some of the meat eaters opted for veggie options for something different but personally, I wouldnt have eaten any of the veggie options.

I would just cater for everyone's needs

I wouldn't have an issue being a veggie for the day!!!!
And, anyone who is a friends of yours should accept your decision and reasons for not serving meat.
Have a choice of Veggie options but don't serve meat.

I don't want kids at the evening reception.
And, any of my friends who have children that want to celebrate with us should accept it or dont bother coming??
:-)

I think nowadays vegetarian cooking has come such a long way that they won't be missing out at all. I'm a meat eater, but recently went to a vegetarian restaurant with a work colleague.

I was amazed at how much I enjoyed it., as I was dreading it to begin with. I don't think your guests will mind, there might be the odd grumble when they see the menu but anyone who won't attend because they aren't getting a bit of chicken or meat doesn't deserve to come.

In fact I'm sure a lot of guests will be pleasantly surprised at how good veggie meals can be...

Xx

I would prefer meat to be honest, but could eat a veggie meal for one day and would respect your wishes. I would never not attend if there was no meat x x

I'm not having any alcohol served at my daytime do, I can only imagine how that will go down!! I'm keeping it quiet until the day too, so people don't sneak there own in.

I think that as you're both vegetarian then you should definitely go meat free, you wouldn't buy meat at home, so why spend your money on it on your wedding day. People may sulk, but they'll get over it.

Edit: If you don't make a big deal out of, some people probably won't even notice. Just serve up the food and let them get on with it.

I'm not vegetarian but it wouldn't bother me if the food was veggie at a wedding, and I certainly wouldn't turn the invite down because of it! And my h2b who is a major meat eater said he wouldn't be bothered either! lol xx

I also pick a dish based on the meat in it, but that doesn't mean that I would not be able to go without for one day. I would not find it preachy (unless of course it came with a big lecture as to why meat was not being served and why I shouldnt eat it :-)).

At the end of the day as a meat eater I can go without and would be happy to if I attended a vegetarian's wedding x

I agree don't make a big deal of it and most people won't notice. People often eat dishes without meat in it and don't realise that's its vegetarian

I would suggest having a fabulous cheesey option for one of the main meals. Mr-LittleMissWorry is very good and eats veggie meals with me whenever we eat together, but he does have a preference for something with cheese. Gives it that nice unhealthy feel, rather then it sounding like rabbit food (not that veggie food is rabbit food, just using a phrase I've heard some of my non-veggie friends use!)

Eh...hello.....YOU are the one paying to feed your guests. I doubt anyone with manners will complain about eating a vegetarian meal given they are not paying for it themselves. And most will be honoured to be sharing in your special day and happy to respect your beliefs.

Ataraxia - I think that's one of the other reasons we are planning to have veggie only food.

Both of us are vegetarian, we are the bride and groom, so I think we deserve to be able to eat ALL the food, and not just a small amount of it.

Too be fair not every person attending a wedding will like everything they are given.... we have picked Roast beef for mains and my auntie said she doesnt like beef but prefer chicken but i cant have 101 options so gone with what we like and if people dont like something then they leave it ! Same with you, if they dont like their vegetarian options then they go without ! xxx