If you have a special diet, does this sound familiar?
You receive an invitation to a wedding, and the RSVP portion asks you to check off one of two things: chicken or fish. Well, obviously vegetarians do not want to be served chicken or fish. And people with allergies or special dietary needs also can’t eat just anything. What do you do?
A. Grumble a bunch, and then check off one or the other
B. Eschew going to the wedding altogether …
Skip the wedding? How sad would that be?
A few months ago, I wrote about how I was once a bit embarrassed about my diet. While this is definitely no longer the case, I still try not to call attention to my veganism when out with friends, family, or other non-vegans. I don’t want anyone to feel awkward, and also, sometimes it’s not all about me! Sometimes, I just don’t feel like getting into the debate, ya know? I want to talk about things other than my culinary inclinations.
In my eight years as a vegan, I’ve learned that the best way to ensure you’ll get some vegan grub, hassle-free, is to call ahead. This is a good strategy for three reasons: One, you don’t have to call attention to yourself or seem “high maintenance” when the waiter is taking orders. Two, if they can’t accommodate your diet, you have time to make different arrangements. Three, it’s courteous to give the chef a heads-up so he/she can be better prepared. Plus, you’ll probably end up with something yummier if the chef knows in advance about your diet and is therefore able to brainstorm a meal for you.
By calling ahead, for the wedding I recently attended, I was rewarded with an amazing, gourmet meal: Perfectly-grilled zucchini, eggplant, yellow squash, peppers, tomato, and portabella mushrooms drizzled with a balsamic reduction so sweet I’m still dreaming about it.
I was lucky this time. However, it’s always a good idea to have a back-up plan, just in case. My backup plan for this particular occasion was a bunch of nuts thrown into my purse, if all I was served was an iceberg salad. True, nuts and salad aren’t an ideal dinner. But I believe food isn’t the most important thing in life. What’s more important? Friends, family, and dancing all night! That, and cute party favors like these Love Beyond Measure spoons:
Cute or what?!
Are you always prepared with food in your purse?
And have you ever had a restaurant meal specially made for you?
I always carry some sort of energy bar, fruit, or nuts in my purse or backpack. My friends love me for it; when they get hungry, they know where to turn. Unfortunately, that means I have to routinely remember to restock!
i hate when they make you pick! i love wedding buffets! i had one at my wedding because i wanted people the freedom to pick/choose what they wanted! i knew some of my guests were veggie. i also pack food in my purse…i’ve usually got some raw nuts, a KIND bar or an apple in there. i refuse to go hungry or starve just because the pickin’s are slim ya know?
That meal you had looks lovely, and I love those measuring spoons! 🙂
When I’m going to a restaurant/event with friends and I’m not sure what the “vegan” selection is going to be, I always pack one fruit and a tortilla in my purse. I tried crackers and nuts before but they get crushed since I’m pretty rough with my bag (or usually wind up sitting on it by accident). I wouldn’t know what I’d do at a wedding, so thanks for the advice!
I actually had a similar situation just last week. My boyfriend and I were going back to the Midwest to his Dad’s wedding and the options were chicken and steak. I was, of course, the only vegetarian in all of the midwest but they were able to arrange to have an epically huge salad made for me. It’s all about planning!
Thanks for the Shout-Out Katie! (: We should definitely get more information on these vagina lollipops. Hahaha. (Where DID they come from?) We just need to have a women’s appreciation party (AKA No Boys Allowed Girly Stuff Party). I think soo many things about our bodies get bashed all the time. I think every girl is beautiful and should love herself. It’s a great thing to be thankful for every time you look in the mirror. (:
P.S. Weddings are my favorite! (: I wasn’t vegan the last time I went to one (which was a while ago) so I don’t know the hassle, but I can totes imagine. I hate having to make a hassle out of things. I went on a week long hiking/rock climbing trip towards the end of August and I notified them that I was vegan and even told them what I could and couldn’t have, yet they still weren’t aware enough. I mean, I hate grumbling about it. (I’m such a good grumbler, apparently…) But, I just wish people were more aware of vegan food (and how easy it really is to make). (;
Yay weddings though!
Toodles!
Aly 😀
Haha they DO need to realize it’s easy to make vegan meals (and not all vegan meals are “strange” either, with ingredients like seitan or tofu). I mean, spaghetti with red sauce, pb&j sammies, and stir fries are all vegan. What could be easier??
That’s what I keep saying and people are like “that’s vegan?!” Haha. I find it soo funny how ignorant people are to what vegan food really is. (: It just makes me more happy to explain it. I love when my omni friends say that something is REALLY good and I’m like “yupp, it’s vegan.” It’s somehow so satisfying to prove their tastebuds wrong.
Calling ahead and packing food is a good idea – I am unpleasant company when I’m hungry! I’ve had really good and really bad veg food at weddings and other catered events. From my point of view it’s not a double standard, but I took some criticism about not serving a meat choice at my wedding.
I always think that’s ridiculous; people ask me, “Will your wedding be vegan?” And I say it will. Then they say, “Isn’t hat unfair to the meat eaters?” Huh? Unfair? But they don’t offer a vegan option at their weddings; why am I supposed to offer a meat one at mine? I think a wedding is a time to celebrate the people getting married; they should do exactly what THEY want, not cater to anyone else. Good for you for doing YOUR thing at your wedding :).
I bet you the meat eaters at the wedding wished they were vegan for the day!!! xx
I always wonder about who I should talk to…Do I call the bride or groom and add something else to their list of things to do? Do I call the caterer and just let the bride know I’m going to do so? Do I call the caterer and not even mention it to the bride? Or do I just bring a snack in my purse and grin and bear it?
Definitely don’t call the bride and groom. You’re right; they have a lot on their plates lol. I called the catering hall, itself. Good to go right to the source! No need to mention it to the bride at all.
Thanks for the tip, Katie and Jennifer!
I’ll second Katie; call the venue and let them know! (The catering staff will usually inform the bride and groom at their next meeting.)
I always call ahead in situations like that because, if not, I will totally stress about not getting enough to eat the entire time. For me, food (not friends, family, or fun) is the most important thing at any event … because I’m obviously a food addict. So if Bianca doesn’t get to eat good food, Bianca will be a cranky bitch the entire time and ruin everyone else’s good time. And nobody wants that! So I call ahead and pack my purse to ensure everyone stays happy. 🙂
LOLOLOLOL!!! You do know that the funniest things come out of your mouth, don’t you? I can’t see you ruining anyone’s good time; quite the opposite. I can see them saying, “This party’s really boring. Where’s Bianca when you need her?”
One more thing: Speaking of weddings, my vegetarian BFF Sheridan is getting married next spring, and she’s asked me to make her cupcakes just because she wants me to be able to eat cake! Isn’t that awesome? She’s not vegan so she could just order a cake, but she’s letting me handle it so I can have cake too. I love Sheridan!!