5 Tips for the Vegan Groom
We’ve all heard about cruel wedding traditions such as riding in horse-drawn carriages, releasing doves, wearing wool suits, throwing rice (which can harm wildlife), and serving a choice of dead animal flesh (“chicken or fish?”) at the reception. But you’re a conscious groom-to-be who’s ready for some new animal-friendly traditions, so follow these tips for a vegan-friendly wedding that’ll leave all your guests happy:
1. Find the perfect wool-free suit.
You want your future spouse to be practically drooling his or her way down the aisle once he or she sees you, so read our guides here and here to ensure that you find a drool-worthy suit. Don’t forget to dress the groomsmen in vegan suits, too.
2. Accessorize.
Sport an animal rights tie, a 100 percent cotton one from High Cotton, or a classy silk-free one from Jaan J. Silk Ties & Bow Ties—which also offers a great line of cufflinks and tie clips. Extreme animal lovers can even sport a tie clip that has “Vegan” written on the front. And whether or not you have cold feet, make sure you cover them with leather-free shoes. Check out our list of vegan dress shoes.
3. Plan your vegan menu.
Research caterers online to find a vegan chef for your reception. If you can’t find a local plant-based cook, ask other caterers about creating a special vegan menu, as most will be happy to accommodate you for your special day. If a caterer is too expensive, gather a group of good friends who can help cook in exchange for a case of beer (use Barnivore to find out which beers are vegan) and make your own wedding food. Check out our vegan wedding menu ideas. And don’t forget the most important part of the menu: the cake! Visit Vegan Nutritionista for a state-by-state listing of vegan bakers. Offering vegan cupcakes instead of a traditional wedding cake is popular as well, and they may be even easier to find, as they can be shipped right to your house prior to the wedding.
4. Have a socially conscious honeymoon.
Check out Humane Travel, Green Earth Travel, or VegVoyages for help planning a vegan-friendly honeymoon. Laguna Lodge in Guatemala would make for a great trip, and so would The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino, California. The Farm at San Benito in the Philippines and the Fivelements in Bali are also great vegan-friendly honeymoon destinations.
5. Find inspiration from other vegan weddings.
Vegan couples have had all different types of weddings, from traditional to nature-themed, and they’ve even eloped. Check out pictures from their weddings for inspiration. No matter what your style is, what you’ll have in common with these couples is kindness.
For more tips, check out our ultimate guide to throwing a vegan wedding.
