Wedding catering ideas for vegans

Wedding catering should reflect the individual taste and preferences of the guests. Creating a perfect wedding food menu for a vegan couple doesn’t need to be intimidating if you know what to prepare. First things first, you need to understand the difference between vegan and vegetarian diets as they tend to be used interchangeably.

A vegan diet excludes all meat, fish, seafood, poultry, eggs, and dairy while a vegetarian diet includes eggs and dairy but excludes fish, seafood, meat, and poultry. When creating a vegan wedding menu, you need to find a balance that both vegans and non-vegans will enjoy. In this article, we will be sharing some of the best wedding catering ideas for vegans.

Tips for planning your vegan menu

  • Don’t tell guests in advance about the menu

vegan dishes at a table
Catered vegan dishes make the table look colorful!

As much as you would want your guests to know they will be having a vegan menu, there are lots of preconceived notions about vegan food and what it tastes like. The best way to keep them hooked once they arrive is to highlight the benefits that your wedding meal offers. You can do this using nice labels that showcase the ingredients or a little note that lists the positive impact of consuming a vegan meal.

  • Stick with familiar options

There is a high possibility that many of your guests might not have experimented with veganism before. Consider serving them plant-based versions of popular dishes rather than introducing them to exotic foods that they have never seen or heard of. For instance, salad, roasted vegetables, salad, and soup are more likely to be savored than vegan meats and cheeses that non-vegans may not be willing to try.

  • Consider seasonality

Since vegan food is plant-based, you need to incorporate the freshest and sweetest produce into your wedding menu. Since seasonal produce tastes riper and fresher, you are sure to deliver a burst of flavor that guests will enjoy. The fact that vegan food needs to be fresh when prepared means that the time of year that you tie the knot should inspire your cuisine.

  • Prioritize protein

Vegans get their fair share of protein from plants and the best way to ensure your guests reach satisfaction is to create well-balanced meals. Since proteins take longer to digest, it is important to prioritize them in a vegan diet so that everyone stays full longer. Dishes that mix peas, beans, and chickpeas with rice, quinoa, or lentils deliver a great number of proteins in a vegan diet. This means you can have many dishes that offer different tastes.

Vegan wedding menu ideas

  • Vegan Appetizers

There are lots of vegan finger foods or small plate options to offer your guests. Some of our favorite ideas for vegan wedding appetizers include stuffed mushrooms, spring rolls, and stuffed tomatoes. Stuff your spring rolls with various vegetables like yellow peppers, romaine, and carrots. For stuffed tomatoes, consider filling them up with pesto and vegan goat cheese with a drizzled balsamic glaze on top. Your guests can also munch on seasonal vegetables and crudites during cocktail hour.

  • Vegan Main courses and Sides

Since this will be the main feature of your vegan wedding menu, the dishes you present on the table not only need to stand out but also should be satisfying. Some of our favorite main courses for a vegan wedding menu include chickpea tagine, vegan mushroom stroganoff, creamy portobello stroganoff, cauliflower piccata, and risotto with roasted vegetables. You can serve your pasta dishes with veggies like broccolini, asparagus, and lemon tarragon. Other vegan side dishes include rice pilaf, Greek salad, fried brussels sprouts salad, and asparagus bisque.

  • Vegan Cakes and Desserts

The pinnacle and finale of your vegan wedding menu are the cake and desserts. The vegan dessert options are usually vast and varied with plenty of egg-free and dairy-free wedding cakes to choose from. Examples of favorite vegan wedding cake options include salted caramel and chocolate and simple vanilla with buttercream icing. Once you have decided on a perfect vegan wedding cake, you need to offer vegan desserts that guests can munch on between mingling and dancing. Some of the vegan desserts you can serve to include peach cobbler, blondie sundae, strawberry and champagne sorbet shots, and vegan pecan pie.

Before you establish the type of dishes you will be serving at the wedding, it is important to hire a vegan chef or plant-based caterer who will bring your vision and ideas to life. Informing your guests about the benefits of a vegan diet and delivering the best versions of the meal on the table will impress both vegans and non-vegan guests. In the end, it will be a well-planned and executed vegan wedding to remember.