Meeting Guests Dietary Requirements

So, you’re getting married. You’ve got the dress, the church, the caterer, and the reception hall. Now your caterer wants to discuss the menu. Simple, right? Passed hors d'oeuvres or food stations? Beef or chicken? Rice Pilaf or Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes? Unfortunately, there’s more to planning your reception meal that that. As the bride, you are the host and therefore responsible for ensuring all your guests can eat and enjoy the meal. You should take into consideration your guests possible special needs. The most common are vegetarian/vegan and, diabetic. Vegetarian diets vary between each individual, but there are a few general guidelines. Vegetarians do not eat meat, although some may eat seafood. Some vegetarians do not eat dairy (including milk and cheese), or eggs, although they do eat other animal by-products such as honey. Vegans are very strict vegetarians. They do not eat any meat, dairy, eggs, or animal by-products such as honey, lard/butter. If you’re lucky, your caterer has experience creating meals to satisfy each of your guests needs. This isn’t always the case, so you should prepare some suggestions to bring with you.

First, you need to be aware that a vegetarian meal can be enjoyed by all your guests. Meatless meals can be varied and uniquely flavored; most people won’t even notice the lack of meat. Pasta with a tomato sauce, grilled portabella mushrooms, vegetarian lasagna are just a few options. You’d be surprised at the number of ethnic foods that are traditionally meatless. Most Ukrainian foods, like perogies, cabbage rolls, wheat salad are popular with meat eaters and vegetarians. Mexican foods offer meatless options as well. All will enjoy veggie burritos with refried beans, and fresh salsa. Middle Eastern food is delicious and usually vegan as well. Think samosas, lentil soup, basmati rice, pitas and falafel. You can use any combination of the above foods to comprise a delicious meal all your guests can enjoy.

Diabetics have some special requirements as well and account for about six percent of the population. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy. Here are a few guidelines for menus that are safe for diabetics. Look for the high fiber, low-fat dishes. Great choices are beans, peas and lentils, and dark green vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, spinach and kale. Choose whole grain foods such as brown rice, couscous, whole wheat bread and pasta. Luckily, these choices correspond with some of the vegetarian options above. You can use brown rice in cabbage rolls, couscous and pitas, bean salads. For your meat entrée, you can select grilled skinless chicken breasts, fish or another lean meat. As for dessert, fresh fruit like peaches, fruit salad, or melons are a refreshing choice. Everyone benefits from eating these foods, not just people with diabetes.

Here’s a sample menu that will provide all your guests with a great meal. The sample menu is in buffet format, but can easily be adapted to a sit down meal.


Lentil soup, with whole wheat buns

Bean Salad

Mixed Greens, with a variety of dressings on the side

Pasta Salad, with an olive oil and tomato dressing

Basmati Rice

Grilled Portabella Mushrooms

Ukrainian Cabbage rolls

Perogies, with a cottage cheese and potato filling

Grilled Skinless Chicken Breast

Filet Mignon

Fruit Salad


If you think all this sounds confusing, keep in mind your guests with special dietary requirements and how they feel at these events. They have made an effort to take part and celebrate your day with you and will appreciate the effort you’ve put into planning a meal they can take pleasure in.