The Best Way to Cater for Wedding Guest Dietary Requirements
About The Author: Reeka Events is a luxury catering company specialising in bespoke weddings in the Cotswolds. With over 15 years of industry experience, Reeka is an expert in ensuring your wedding day runs as planned and tastes incredible.
Creating a wedding menu that suits everyone's dietary needs can be tricky. That's why we've put together 'The Best Way to Cater for Wedding Guest Dietary Requirements.' As a professional wedding caterer, this guide is filled with easy-to-follow insider tips and expert advice to help you make a menu that everyone can enjoy.
When it comes to wedding planning, it’s all about the details. With the venue, dress and budget on your mind, the menu can often take a backseat. However, overlooking this could be a big mistake as dietary preferences and restrictions are now more varied than ever.
The number of vegans in the UK quadrupled between 2014 and 2019, and Coeliac UK estimates that 1 in 100 people in the country have coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten. Add to this the number of people with dairy allergies, lactose intolerance, and religious dietary restrictions, and you now have a complex list of nutritional needs.
In our experience as professional caterers, they often represent a significant portion of most of our client’s guest lists.
The food and drink you serve are not just a reflection of your tastes but also an expression of your hospitality. Creating an inclusive, mouthwatering menu can go a long way in making your guests feel welcome and cared for. After all, a wedding is a communal celebration, and what's a celebration without food that everyone can enjoy?
1. Decide How Accommodating You Want to Be
Ethical and Practical Considerations
Considering ethics and logistics when planning your wedding menu is a good idea. Some guests have dietary restrictions for health reasons like allergies, while others have ethical beliefs like veganism.
On the practical side, special diets often need separate cooking areas to prevent cross-contamination. This could mean hiring more staff or a specialised chef, affecting your budget.
Our Tip: For ethical diets like veganism, consider hiring a chef specialising in plant-based cuisine. They can create dishes that are not just substitutes but are delicious in their own right.
Guest Preferences and Budget
Balancing the comfort and well-being of your guests with the feasibility and budget of your wedding plans can be a challenge! Specialised menus can often be more expensive due to the cost of alternative ingredients and the extra time it takes to prepare them. Discussing the costs of accommodating special dietary needs with your caterer is essential.
Some caterers might offer package deals that include vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options at a discounted rate.
Reeka never charges extra for this!
Setting Clear Boundaries and Expectations
Be sure to set clear boundaries with your guests from the get-go. If you can't cater to every single dietary requirement due to logistical or budgetary constraints, that's perfectly okay. The key is clearly communicating this to your guests by stating it explicitly on the RSVP or wedding website. This way, guests can make alternative arrangements if necessary, and you avoid any day-of surprises.
Our Tip: Consider using a tiered approach to dietary accommodations. For example, offer a vegetarian base menu, with options to modify dishes to be vegan or gluten-free. This can often be more cost-effective and less complicated than creating multiple separate menus.
2. Common Dietary Requirements
Vegetarian and Vegan
Vegetarians generally avoid all meat and fish but may consume dairy and eggs. Vegans, on the other hand, avoid all animal products, including dairy, eggs, and even honey.
Consider offering cheese and vegetable-based dishes. For vegans, focus on plant-based proteins like lentils, chickpeas, and tofu. Make sure to use vegetable stock in soups and gravies. Don’t forget dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk for coffee and tea!
Gluten-Free
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. For those with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can lead to several health issues, from digestive discomfort to more severe symptoms.
Offer gluten-free bread and pasta options and ensure that any sauces or dressings are also gluten-free. Cross-contamination is a significant concern, so check the caterer has separate preparation areas and utensils for gluten-free foods.
Nut Allergies
Nut allergies can range from mild to severe and, in extreme cases, can be life-threatening. Even a tiny trace of nuts can trigger an allergic reaction in some people.
The best way to accommodate guests with nut allergies is to avoid nuts altogether in your wedding menu. If that's not possible, ensure that dishes containing nuts are clearly labelled and there's no cross-contamination during food preparation.
Dairy-Free
Dairy-free diets exclude all dairy products, including milk, cheese, yoghurt, and butter. This can be due to lactose intolerance, a milk allergy, or personal preference.
For dairy-free guests, offer alternatives like coconut or soya milk-based sauces and desserts. Many traditional dishes can be modified to be dairy-free without sacrificing flavour.
For example, use olive oil instead of butter for cooking and baking. Be cautious with packaged foods, as many contain hidden dairy ingredients. Oh, and don’t forget the dairy-free ice cream!
Religious Dietary Restrictions
Halal, Kosher, etc.
Halal and Kosher are religious dietary laws observed by Muslims and Jews. Halal foods are those that are permissible under Islamic law, while Kosher foods meet Jewish dietary laws.
If you have guests who observe Halal or Kosher dietary laws, consider offering a separate menu that complies with these requirements.
By consulting with your caterer, you can ensure that the preparation meets all religious guidelines, which include specific methods of slaughtering meat and avoiding certain food pairings.
Your guest will massively appreciate you taking the time to understand and accommodate these standard dietary requirements. You're not just being a thoughtful host but also ensuring that all your guests can partake in the joy and celebration of your wedding day without going hungry!
3. Buffet vs Plate Food
Reeka Head Chef Jay Halford preparing plate food.
You might be thinking about hosting a buffet in the hope it will be easier to manage. To help you decide if a buffet is the right option, here are some pros and cons compared to a plated meal.
Buffet
Pros
More Choices: Guests can choose what they like, which is great for picky eaters.
Less Work: You don't have to collect dietary info in advance.
Social Factor: Buffets can be more social as guests move around and interact.
Cons
Risky Business: Cross-contamination is a real concern, especially for allergies.
Wrong Choices: Some guests might accidentally pick something they shouldn't eat.
Waste: Buffets often result in more food waste as people might take more than they can eat.
If you go the buffet route, invest in clear signage. Label each dish as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. Also, consider having a staff member at the buffet to guide guests.
Plated Meals
Pros
Safer: Easier to manage allergies and dietary restrictions.
Controlled: You know exactly what each guest is getting.
Less Waste: Portion control means less food waste.
Cons
Limited Options: Less variety for your guests.
More Prep: You'll need to collect everyone's dietary needs well before the big day.
Timing: Serving everyone at once requires expert timing or some guests may end up with cold food.
If you go for plated food and are having children at your wedding, don’t forget to arrange for simple child-friendly options. Hungry children and weddings don’t tend to mix well.
4. Choosing the Right Wedding Caterer
Reeka Head Chef Jay Halford preparing a wedding venue for dinner service.
Hire a Knowledgeable and Flexible Caterer
Choosing the right caterer is one of the most critical decisions you'll make in the wedding planning process. A knowledgeable caterer won't just know how to make delicious food; they'll also understand the ins and outs of various dietary restrictions. Flexibility is another key trait. Weddings are dynamic events, and last-minute changes are almost a given. A flexible caterer can adapt to these changes without compromising on quality.
Questions to Ask Potential Caterers
Q. Can you accommodate various dietary requirements?
This is the first and most obvious question. Make sure they can cater to all the dietary needs you expect among your guests.
Q. Do you have experience with specialised menus?
Experience is invaluable. A caterer who has previously managed complex dietary needs will be better prepared for your wedding.
Q. Can you provide references or case studies of similar events?
A reputable caterer should be able to provide references or even case studies where they successfully managed dietary requirements.
Q. What is your policy on food sourcing?
You may prefer organic, locally sourced foods for ethical or dietary reasons.
Q. How do you handle cross-contamination?
Especially important for severe allergies, it’s a non-negotiable that the caterer has protocols in place.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Lack of Knowledge About Dietary Restrictions: If a caterer seems unsure or dismissive about dietary needs, it's a significant red flag.
Unwillingness to Adapt the Menu: A caterer should be willing to customise their offerings to suit your needs. It's a sign that they may not be the right fit if they're not open to changes.
Hidden Costs: Be wary of caterers who are not upfront about the costs involved in accommodating special dietary needs.
Our Tip: Most caterers offer tasting sessions where you can try different dishes, including those for special dietary needs. Use this opportunity to assess not just taste but also presentation and portion sizes.
5. Communication
How to Ask for Dietary Requirements on Your Wedding Invites
Include a section for dietary needs on your wedding invitations. Place it on the RSVP card and write, “Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.” Make it as straightforward as possible with checkboxes for standard requirements like vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and a blank space for others.
Online Survey Tools
In this digital age, many couples opt for online RSVPs. Tools like Google Forms or specialised wedding planning software such as Bride Book can be handy for this. You can create a detailed form allowing guests to specify their wedding dietary requirements, making it easier to collect and manage this information.
Wedding Day Coordination
You’re nearly there! To make your day stress-free for you, nominate one of your party as the “food liaison officer”. They will make sure that the serving staff are fully briefed on the dietary requirements and know which dishes are suitable for whom. This is where a seating chart with dietary notations can be invaluable.
Consider seating guests with similar dietary needs together. This makes it easier for the serving staff and reduces the risk of mix-ups.
Use place cards with discreet symbols to indicate dietary restrictions, helping the serving staff to place the correct dishes in front of each guest.
Our Tip: In our experience as a professional wedding caterer, your caterer must know where each guest sits. This ensures the right food is served to the right person and prevents any issues. Ask your guests not to swap seats or tables to avoid problems!
6. Drinks to Consider
Alcoholic Options
No wedding is complete without a toast, but when it comes to alcohol, not all options are created equal, especially concerning dietary requirements. For instance, some beers are made with barley, which contains gluten. Similarly, some wines are produced using animal products, making them unsuitable for vegans.
Opt for gluten-free beers that are typically made from grains like sorghum or rice such as Daylesford Organic Cotswold Gluten Free Lager.
Research wines that are labelled as vegan as these are created using plant-based or mineral substances instead of animal-derived ones.
Consider offering a signature cocktail that's both gluten-free and vegan to cover all bases.
Non-Alcoholic Options
Non-alcoholic options are often an afterthought, but they are more popular now than ever and have seen a 7% growth increase since 2022. Whether it's for guests who don't drink alcohol, are pregnant, or are designated drivers, offering a choice of thirst-quenching, non-alcoholic options means everyone has something special to sip on when celebrating.
Ideas for Inclusive Drinks:
Virgin Mojitos: A refreshing mint, lime, and soda water blend.
Fruit-Infused Water: Simple yet elegant and a hit among health-conscious guests.
Non-Alcoholic Sangria: A fruity blend as full of flavour as its alcoholic twin.
Herbal Teas: Offer a range of herbal teas for a warm, comforting option.
Conclusion
Communication really is your best friend, from deciding how accommodating you want to be to choosing the right caterer, and with careful planning, your wedding feast can be stress-free!
After all, what could be more satisfying than looking around on your wedding day and seeing all your loved ones enjoying themselves? All without worrying about what's on their plate or in their glass!
