How to Plan the Perfect Vegan Wedding
If you’re deep into planning your wedding or just getting started, you might be wondering how you can create the event of your dreams while keeping animals in mind. Luckily, there are many easy ways to “veganize” your nuptials. Whether you want an intimate indie love fest or a royal-level extravaganza, planning a vegan wedding has never been more simple and fun. We’ve left no stone unturned—from the outfits and the decor to the honeymoon itinerary—and offer tried-and-true tips from our staffers.
Catering Your Vegan Wedding
When you begin your wedding planning, be sure to tell vendors that you’re interested in having a vegan wedding. When you communicate with venues and caterers, be up-front and clear about what you expect. Ask whether they can prepare an entirely vegan menu. Many caterers will be more than willing to work with you to create the perfect event.
Start by researching vegan caterers. They’ll know exactly what you want and have some of the most creative, delicious options. Since they’re experts on vegan food, they’ll be able to execute your vision without much extra work on your end.
You could also ask your favorite local vegan restaurant if it offers event catering. You may be surprised to find out that it does. Food trucks can often be booked for events and are a great option for casual weddings or if you want to offer your guests late-night eats at the end of the evening.
If there are limited options for vegan caterers near you or if the venue requires you to select from a list of preferred vendors, you could offer to provide any caterer with vegan recipes or other suggestions. Some PETA staffers have had success choosing a type of cuisine that’s already vegan-friendly, such as Mediterranean, Mexican, or Middle Eastern.
Which Food Items Should You Serve at a Vegan Wedding?
One way to ensure that wedding guests will be happy is to keep the food coming.
Here are some ideas for a vegan wedding menu that you can give your caterer to help spark some inspiration.
Hors D’œuvres
These small bites are often served to guests on trays during a cocktail hour or before a wedding. If these are served before your guests are seated, you’ll want to opt for finger foods that are easy to eat without utensils. The options for what to serve are endless. Mini versions of your favorite foods, including the following, are especially fun:
- Bruschetta
- Fried vegan mac and cheese balls
- Mini tacos
- Pretzel bites
- Spring rolls
- Tofu satay
- Tomato and vegan mozzarella skewers
- Vegetable gyoza
- Vegetable sushi rolls
Starters
What’s the difference between hors d’œuvres and starters? Starters are served as part of the main meal and come in portions that are typically larger than hors d’œuvres, which are only one or two bites. Consider serving the following:
- Beyond Meat teriyaki meatballs
- Butternut squash soup
- Cashew ricotta cheese dip with grilled bread
- Flatbread with cashew cheese and mushrooms
- Ratatouille
- Spinach phyllo pockets
- Tomato soup
- Vegan crabless cakes
- Vegetable and tofu skewers
Salads
- Arugula, pear, and walnut salad
- Greek salad with vegan feta
- Heirloom tomato salad with basil and vegan feta
- Roasted root vegetable and farro salad
- Tabbouleh salad
- Vietnamese-style vermicelli noodle salad
- Wedge salad with shiitake “bacon” and vegan bleu cheese
Main courses
- Vegetable and chickpea curry
- Beyond Meat kofta or falafel pita wraps
- Mushroom Wellington
- Pasta with roasted vegetables
- Risotto with spring vegetables
- Vegan chicken potpies
- Vegan fried chicken made from king oyster mushrooms served with mashed potatoes
- Vegan spinach ravioli
What Should I Serve if I’m Having a Brunch Wedding?
For a brunch wedding, ditch the bacon and eggs to spare the lives of pigs and chickens. Pigs are friendly, playful animals who have even been known to play video games. Mother hens “talk” to their chicks before they hatch. Serve up compassion for all animals by choosing dishes like these:
- Açaí bowls
- Coffee drinks served with vegan milk
- Fresh fruit salad
- Savory tofu scramble
- Smoky tempeh bacon
- Tofu quiche
- Various toast options
- Vegan breakfast sausage
- Vegan chicken and waffles
- Vegan pancakes and waffles (Guests can add bananas, coconut whipped cream, and fresh berries.)
- Vegan tea sandwiches
- Vegan yogurt with granola
What Should I Serve if I’m Having a Casual Vegan Wedding?
Food trucks or catering from restaurants can both be great options for casual weddings, especially ones on the smaller side. By making your own food or enlisting the help of family members or friends who enjoy cooking vegan food, you can save money and lend a personal touch to your special day.
Vegan Drinks for Your Wedding Toast
For animal-friendly libations, opt for vegan wine and beer. Depending on the venue, you may be able to specify the brands, but many commonly available options are vegan-friendly.
Which Vegan Wine Brands Should I Serve at My Wedding?
There are many options. Some vegan-friendly wine brands include Avaline, Decoy Wines, and Sutter Home. Domaine Carneros, Moët & Chandon, and Veuve Clicquot offer vegan champagne and sparkling wines for toasts.
Which Beer Brands Are Vegan?
Most beers are vegan, especially some of the most popular options. Corona, Blue Moon, and Guinness are crowd favorites, and Anderson Valley, Lagunitas, and Sierra Nevada offer IPAs and other varieties of craft beer. German beer is an easy choice, since the country’s strict purity laws forbid the use of animal-derived substances like isinglass (gelatin from fish bladders) or gelatin (obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones in water).
Can I Offer Vegan Cocktails at My Wedding?
Use Barnivore.com to find vegan liquor, or select non-alcoholic options. Talk to your bar vendors and the venue to find out if they can offer specific types of liquor.
Vegan Wedding Cake Advice
Most vegan bakeries offer wedding cakes that are made without eggs, which are stolen from hens, or milk taken from mother cows. Whole Foods also offers custom wedding cakes.
If you’re a home baker, you could make your own vegan wedding cake. Prepare the layers ahead of time and freeze them so you only have to assemble and decorate the finished cake a few days before the wedding.
For a less traditional option, serve your favorite sweet treat. We especially love the idea of doughnuts or cookies.
Vegan Wedding Dresses and Other Attire
Wearing animal-derived materials is repulsive, not romantic, so check every label to ensure that your ensembles are vegan. You’ll want to make sure that your wedding dress and veil are free of silk (which is produced by boiling silkworms alive inside their cocoons) and that your shoes aren’t made from animal skins, including leather or suede.
Which Wedding Dress Fabrics Are Vegan?
You already know that you should avoid silk and can get the same look with fabrics like cotton sateen or satin. Bamboo silk is another high-quality material that’s both animal- and eco-friendly. Lace, chiffon, crepe, and tulle are other common wedding dress fabrics that can be made from rayon or other non-animal materials. Check with the bridal studio to make sure your dress is free of silk (or less commonly, wool).
Where Can I Find Vegan Bridal Shoes?
You may want to splurge on your shoes. If that’s the case, many luxury vegan shoe brands, including Cult of Coquette and VEERAH, offer bridal styles.
For budget-friendly options, you can find leather-free shoes at many stores, including David’s Bridal and DSW.
Where Can I Find Vegan Bridal Accessories?
Other accessories, such as jackets and wraps, should also be free of animal-derived materials. A faux-fur or vegan feather piece could be a bold finishing touch for your compassionate ensemble.
How Can I Get a Cruelty-Free and Vegan Wedding Look?
For hair and makeup, search PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies database for a comprehensive roundup of cruelty-free and vegan brands. You could even recommend our list to your hair and makeup artists and ask that only animal-friendly products be used to complete your look. You may want to begin by searching specifically for makeup artists and hairstylists who use vegan products.
Vegan Wedding Suits and Attire
You can get a wool-free suit from Hall Madden or Topman and leather-free footwear from Brave GentleMan or Will’s Vegan Store. Sheep and cows are loving, social individuals who only want to live in peace. It’s speciesist to assume that humans are entitled to use their wool or skin.
You’ll also want to opt for a silk-free tie—such as those from vegan brand Jaan J.—to complete your sharp animal-free look.
The Best Animal-Friendly Decor for a Vegan Wedding
There are a few things to consider when decorating the setting of your celebration. You’ll want to look for soy-based candles or opt for battery-powered ones. Make sure that the trim on your tablecloths isn’t made with silk. Instead of silk flowers, adorn yourself and the venue with real flowers or choose paper or wood ones—two popular options that can last longer and be more budget-friendly.
How to Make a Vegan Wedding Gift Registry
Spare a thought for animals when selecting items for your registry, including by making sure that home goods, such as pillows and rugs, are free of down and wool. Many interior design companies offer sumptuous vegan options—including Williams Sonoma’s Primaloft bedding and Jonathan Adler’s wool-free rug collection for Ruggable—that are perfect for the love nests of compassionate newlyweds.
If you already have everything you need to start your married life, consider asking your loved ones to donate to PETA’s important work in your name instead of buying a physical gift. It’s a great way to celebrate your love while saving lives.
Put a Twist on Tradition
On your wedding day, avoid activities that are harmful and dangerous to animals, such as releasing butterflies or doves, which often results in the animals’ deaths. Instead, blow bubbles, wave sparklers, or toss eco-friendly confetti, flower petals, dandelions, or even birdseed into the air.
Give Back to Guests—and Animals
By giving thoughtful and memorable wedding favors—such as delicious vegan chocolates, soy candles, cute succulents, cruelty-free soaps, or even seeds for pollinator-friendly plants—you don’t have to break the bank or favor one species over another.
Including Your Animal Companions Thoughtfully
Our animal companions are family, but weddings can be noisy and stressful for them, so it may be best to leave them at home with a trusted sitter and celebrate with them after the event. If you decide to include animals in your wedding, just don’t make them wear uncomfortable costumes, do provide them with plenty of shade and water, and ensure ahead of time that the venue is animal-friendly. You’ll also want to designate someone you trust who’s familiar with your animal companions to take care of them on your big day and potentially take them home or to a quiet space, since you’re sure to be distracted during the event.
Before and After You Say ‘I Do’
For bachelor or bachelorette parties and the honeymoon, avoid activities that exploit animals, such as elephant rides and “swim with dolphins” programs. Instead, plan a trip to a reputable animal sanctuary that will have you feeling all the love, visit one of these top vegan-friendly destinations, or indulge in a stay at one of these luxury vegan hotels.
Finally, Communication Is Key
When you start talking to venues and caterers, make sure everyone is on board with your plans for a vegan wedding. If you’re able to, hire a wedding planner who understands your needs to help the process go as smoothly as possible.
Many PETA staffers have successfully hosted the vegan wedding of their dreams—and you can, too! You can spare countless lives by considering animals when planning your event.
