Let them eat
what they
want
Gone are the days when wedding reception
menus were limited to the one-size-fits-all offerings
of meat, chicken or fish. Thanks to modern
diets, couples hoping to accommodate guests
may need to provide a wide array of food choices.
It is impossible to pinpoint an exact number, as there
are no definitive surveys classifying all dietary preferences,
but there are believed to be around 7.9 million people
in the United States who follow a vegetarian-based diet.
Of those people, around one million are strictly vegan,
according to data in The Economist. In addition, NYU
Langone Health says one-third of Americans are trying to
avoid gluten.
The Gluten Free Agency, which is a consulting group
dedicated to helping advertisers, says some nine million
people in Canada are going gluten-free now for medical
or personal reasons.
Toss in the scores of people with peanut or other allergies
and even more caution is needed when designing
wedding menus.
Savvy couples who have guests’ health and comfort in
mind recognize the importance of offering a varied meal
plan for wedding-related parties and receptions. The following
are some ideas to consider when planning wedding
menus.
Consider a buffet-style service.
Although couples might like the tradition and flair that
a seated/plated meal offers, it creates a much more limited
selection of meal options. Buffet-style dinner service
often provides couples with multiple choices, and it’s
much more likely they can come up with a combination
that caters to any food allergies or dietary restrictions
guests may have.
Opt for food stations.
In lieu of one long buffet table, a modern approach is
to have staffed food stations. Foods as well as their ingredients
can be clearly stated on food table placards so
guests can make appropriate choices.
Offer alternatives for dessert.
Wedding cake can be a challenge to someone with a
gluten sensitivity or an egg or a nut allergy. While not
every guest indulges in dessert, make it a point to offer
an alternative to cake. Perhaps a groom’s cake can be revamped
into gluten-free cookie bars or a nut-free trifle.
Couples who know in advance which types of dietary
restrictions their guests have can work with caterers to
devise a menu that suits everyone.
6 | Exquisite Bridal Guide • 2020 Published by Eagle News