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Many couples wonder how their dietary desires will be able to work into food at their wedding reception. Couples who are vegetarians, or vegans, may also have personal ethical concerns with serving meat and/or animal products at their wedding receptions.
 A banquet featuring vegetables, cheese, fruit, and fudge. Everyone involved with planning a wedding needs to keep in mind that the wedding and reception is for couple getting married. Because it is their opinion which counts the most, their wishes and desires should be respected and followed for every aspect of the wedding, especially the food! While some may say it is traditional to have a meat dish at a wedding reception, it really depends on which traditions you are following. In the World War eras, meatless pastas and finger sandwiches were common at wedding receptions because meat was rationed. In other cultures, serving meat at a wedding reception is considered bad form because it is considered a bad omen for the recently-married couple. Most guests at modern-day weddings are there because they genuinely wish to celebrate in the marriage of the bride and groom, so the couple's choice of food does not bother the guests.
You may want to consider serving some of the delicious dishes below. With the amount of mouth-watering vegetarian and vegan dishes today, your guests won't even miss the meat!
 There are numerous ways to serve vegetables. Image by lollie-pop.
Vegetarian Appetizers
- A large selection of dippable vegetables is a must! Raw broccoli, celery, sugar snap peas, baby carrots, grape tomatoes, and bell peppers are nature's perfect finger foods! Popular dipping sauces include hummus, ranch dressing, bleu-cheese dressing, and onion dip.
- Fruit selections are always a hit! No one can resist a plate full of fresh strawberries, melons, grapes, cantalope, etc. Nearly every fruit makes a great hors d'oeuvre. To jazz it up, consider renting a chocolate fountain or getting a fruit sculpture.
- Treat them to a sampling of cheese. Nearly every guest likes cheese, so treat them to a sampling of a wide variety. Cheddar, Brie, Havarti, Gouda, and Muenster are all excellent cheeses that are sure to please even the pickiest palatte. Camembert, fresh Mozzarella, Colby, Monterey Jack, and Feta are also excellent either alone or with crackers.
- For formal dinners, consider vegetable soups. Curried corn chowder, borscht, tomato florentine, french onion, minestrone, and 4 bean soups are not only hearty, but are excellent choices for health-conscious couples. Squash soups are also excellent choices as they can be served in mini-squashes. Bread bowls are also a good alternative to traditional china.
 Stuffed bell peppers are an excellent appetizer. Picture by adactio. - Stuffed vegetables are perfect for formal and more casual receptions. Roasted peppers stuffed with hummus or cheese are excellent choices, as are cheese-stuffed mushrooms, and twice-baked potatoes.
- Whole artichokes are perfect for coursed, formal receptions. In addition, it makes great conversation at the table!
- Make sure your guests have plenty of breads at their disposal. Many couples also opt for bread rings with dips, such as spinach, artichoke, or vegetable.
- Vegetable tempura makes an excellent finger food. To compliment this, consider vegetable sushi rolls.
- There are also a variety of traditional hors d'oeuvres that are vegetarian, such as spanakopita, fresh mozzarella and tomato, stuffed grape leaves, baked brie, deviled eggs, and so on.
Vegetarian Main Courses
- Have someone who insists that vegetarian dishes are not filling? Feed them eggplant parmesan! This hearty, traditionally Italian dish is filling and delicious.
- Pastas are always a favorite. From roasted red pepper and basil to angel hair with feta, there are a million pasta and vegetable combinations you can make! If you're having a buffet-style buffet, consider making a special "pasta station" where guests can make their own pasta creations.
- Baked brie served with cranberry sauce and sauteéd vegetables is delicious and a hearty main course.
- Consider having main Asian dishes. Nearly every traditional Chinese, Japanese, or Thai dish can have the meat item substituted with tofu.
- Take traditional éntrees and give them a vegetarian spin! Meatloaf and salisbury steak can be replicated using meatless substitutes and delicious tomato-based gravies.
Vegan Appetizers
- Hummus is an excellent vegan appetizer as it is not made with any animal products. Organic, unleavened pita or matzo does not contain any animal products and is great to serve with this.
- Miso soup is made from only soybeans, tofu, and seaweed. This hearty soup is perfect, especially if you wish to serve primarily oriental food.
- Vegetable dumplings made with organic grain are great, especially when served in a light soybean broth.
- For less formal receptions, consider having a "salsa station". Here guests can make their own salsas using chopped vegetables and herbs. Organic, animal-free tortilla chips are ideal for this.
- Tortilla pinwheels have been a catering standard for years and are easily turned vegan! Simply replace the cream cheese with blended tofu, throw in a few minced veggies and you have quick and easy appetizers!
Vegan Main Courses
- Tofu steaks are delicious and nutritious. A grilled tofu steak on a bed of rice and smothered with sautéed vegetables is hearty and mouth-watering.
- Consider using curry and coconut in your dishes. A simple rice and vegetable meal can be jazzed up with grilled tofu and savory coconut curry sauces.
- Many Mexican and Spanish dishes are animal-free. All-natural refried beans, sautéed vegetables, and even vegetable-based "cheeses" are all readily available and make great main courses. Consider corn enchiladas, plantain chimichangas, or vegetable fajitas.
- Lightly battered (flour, seasonings), grilled squash also makes an excellent main course. Consider serving with fragrant rice (rice, seasonings), fresh herbs, and steamed vegetables.
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