Guests Have Decided to Go Vegan and I Don't Have Food For Them

Tell them "no it doesn't taste that good because it's butter, it's totally soy butter!"

haha sorry I don't honestly know what to do, but very specific food requests are difficult to accommodate.

Could they put the cheese on the side of a salad or potato bar so the guests could get their own? I feel like vegan isn't an allergy, so if it was cooked nearby or touched an animal product it isn't going to get them sick, they just should be able to knowledgeable choose which items don't have animal products (even if they may have touched animal products), but it may not be much. Fruit? Rice? I'm a big meat eater so I'm at a loss and will stop speculating now.

To be honest with you, it really isn't that hard for a caterer to accommodate vegans. They can get some vegan butter and make some special meals for your guests. Considering they probably accommodate people's allergies, they can make a pasta dish or a veggie dish without animal products.

Go back to your caterer.

Can you bring in food? If you can, see if you can get 2 vegan meals from a restaurant and have them deliver. See if the caterer can handle keeping it warm.

@AL - Hi. Like I said in my original post, that is not an option. My caterer specifically does not accommodate vegan requirements and will not for me.

I mean, that's on you for choosing that caterer then. You need to provide meals that these people can eat one way or the other.

@AL How is that on me? I didn't have any vegan guests when I hired the caterer. I'm not saying that I don't need to provide meals for people, I'm asking how to do that.

Seconding Miranda. FH's niece has a ton of food allergies and Celiac's, and that's what the family does for her for weddings, etc. It works out pretty well. You could even ask the guests for a suggestion on a restaurant.

I've never heard of a caterer not being able to accommodate vegan meals. That strikes me as unprofessional.

@Daniella OK? They're a very nice, reputable caterer. If anything, I thought it was responsible of them to recognize their limits and be transparent to clients about what they can and can't do.

I agree maybe ordering meals from a restaurant. I'd be kind of annoyed by them actually if they knew before RSVPing what my food choices were that I'm supposed to change my entire menu right before my wedding because they chose to change their diets. I think it is very nice to host them, but to ask you to fight with your caterer on doing a vegan meal when they just aren't capable of doing it (although I do feel this should be very common for a caterer now a days) is kind of rude to you. I think you should just bite the bullet and definitely make sure they have something to eat by ordering something from a restaurant and be done with it though.

Since your caterer will not accommodate vegan meals, I would likely be searching for a new caterer. If you cannot find one, I would order two vegan meals from a place that does takeout and serve that to these guests. You need to feed them one way or the other.

You can do what one bride and groom did to somebody on this forum just today- tell them to bring their own food. Personally, I would recommend having them bring it in a picnic basket so that your photographer can get a cool shot of it. Just an idea...

ETA: Obviously being sarcastic here.

@Mrs. Coakley - I'm not getting a new caterer and losing my deposit over two guests. I think the restaurant option sounds just fine.

I would find a restaurant, but honestly I think that's extraordinarily rude of your guests when you are so close to your wedding. It may be different if it's an allergy thing, but I still think its extremely rude to call a bride and ask for specific accommodations this last minute.

I would see if you can bring something in for them.

I feel you, none of our caterer options for a main course were vegan, and it's a buffet. The most they said they could do was the salad bar is make your own so they could choose not to put cheese/bacon on it, we have a grilled vegetable plate with lots of type of grilled vegetables, and then roasted potatoes. None of those have butter or cheese, but I'd still feel bad because that is just making a meal of sides :/ So far we have no vegans though, hope that doesn't change!

Totally agree Mary. I wouldn't be finding a new caterer a month before my wedding because two people told me after contracts are in place and deposits have been paid that they don't like what I am serving, it is rude to tell them to bring their own food of course, but it isn't rude of you to not cancel your caterer.

You need to bring something in for them, or find a caterer who is more flexible. good hosting means providing something substantial for your guests. (i'm all fired up after commenting on the other vegetarian themed thread)

@Stephanie - Thank you. These comments are starting to make me feel crazy for thinking they were being kind of rude. I updated by original post, but additional info:

I know it shouldn't matter, but when the invitations were initially sent out, these guests texted FH asking if the chicken was free range and the beef was grass fed. We said we weren't sure. I understand wanting to eat ethically, but they're really difficult.

I don't actually think either of these people are vegan. I think that they don't think our animal products will be up to their standards which is honestly pissing me off a lot.

Goof grief Mary, I'm sorry they threw that at you last second. I'm rolling my eyes hard enough to give myself a headache at the people who think you should switch caterers a month beforehand over 2 guests. I hope you're able to find a restaurant to help you out, what a pain!