Over the past few years, the number of people following a vegan or vegetarian diet has skyrocketed.
In 2019 alone, almost 500,000 Brits ditched meat, fish and dairy to become vegan, with many more switching to a vegetarian or pescatarian menu.
A lot of people are opting to go vegan to limit their impact on the environment. As @TheVeganSociety says, “From recycling our household rubbish to cycling to work, we’re all aware of ways to live a greener life. One of the most effective things an individual can do to lower their carbon footprint is to avoid all animal products.”
To help you cope with the growing number of vegan guests at your wedding, we’re taking a look at the main things to consider when creating a plant-based menu.
Match the meat
Vegans and vegetarians at your wedding won’t want to feel like their food is second best. To make sure your vegan and vegetarian guests feel included, try to match the meat-free dishes as closely as you can with the carnivorous option.
So if you’re serving the majority of your guests a roast with all the trimmings, a vegetable wellington would be a great option for vegans and vegetarians.
And if you’re dishing up a hearty pasta or warming risotto, give your meat-free guests something that’s as similar as possible.
Take inspiration from world cuisine
Some cuisines lend themselves to vegan and vegetarian cooking more easily than others. Italian is always a fantastic choice for a meat-free meal.
Tagliatelle, risotto, and even pizza can be great on a wedding menu. They provide vegans and vegetarians with a complete meal and are absolutely delicious.
The Middle East is home to another cuisine perfect for vegans and vegetarians. Falafel can be served as a starter or a main and you can add to the plate with sides like hummus, tabbouleh, and roasted veg. Those who eat cheese will love having a bit of halloumi in the mix as well.
Go all in
If you really want to be vegan or vegetarian friendly, you could make your entire menu meat and dairy-free. This is a good option if you don’t want any of the guests at your wedding to feel left out.
It’s also a good idea if you’re vegan or vegetarian yourself and want to be able to sample everything on the menu.
While some guests may not be keen on the idea of a plant-based meal, once they sample the high-quality cooking on offer, they’ll soon change their minds.
In fact, there’s a chance that sampling high quality meat-free food at your wedding may convince some guests to go vegan for good.
Catering for vegan and vegetarian guests has never been easier. Most good-quality venues offer delicious plant-based options, giving you a fantastic choice when creating your menu.
Find out more and learn about the vegan and vegetarian options we offer, by exploring our site today.
