How to throw the best vegan wedding ever.

In Chicago, Spring seems to have sprung.  The Ides of March are upon us and our minds, as well as the Solar Powered Studio, is consumed with the yearly wedding readiness.  In working with the planners we're currently finishing up an order of 75 Chicago Flag Soap Bars, destined for a beautiful Georgia wedding.  150 will shortly be ready for Melbourne. 

 

So with these thoughts of weddings and romance; I thought it a good time to re-post some tried and true suggestions to consider while planning your vegan wedding:

1. Maintain a sensible tack;  Friendly but firm: Make your decision to hold a vegan wedding clear and be up front about it.  Help the unfamiliar by making a list of products that contain animals. Caterers often think they are being sensible and helpful when offering to make some items for the omnivores.  Ford them no quarter and nip it in the bud by making your stance clear.  It will help to avoid akward moments during the selection process.
2. Prepare yourself with Recipes: If you don't have access to an all-vegan caterer in your town or city; having some favorite recipes is a good start.  You may have to contact caterers that usually prepare carcass for weddings and ask if they would be able to prepare a vegan reception. Use this guide, or look at the VegNews 2008 feature on vegan weddings for hints and help.
3. Don't let the caterer take the easy way out: Doesn't this sound amazing: marinated vegetables, grilled vegetables, raw vegetables, and stuffed vegetables. Vegan does not mean they get to simply prepare a bunch of simple side dishes; nor should you let them charge you the same. There are so many resources for vegan options that please everyone.  Comfort food, gourmet food, and mainstays are all available if you keep the caterer on point.
4. Don't lose focus on the cake: In Chicago we are fortunate to have a bunch of vegan wedding cake experts but in your city; maybe not so much.  As with the caterer you may have to contact traditional wedding cake bakers to ask them if they are able to make a vegan cake.   It's not as hard as you would think.  Many bakers are willing and more than able to do this. Short of making those call there is a good resource: Jolinda's guide to vegan wedding cakes.
5. The power is in you: Facing limits in your area?  Vegan roadblocks can occur and that's when you cowgirl-up and do it yourself. Again, the vegan wedding menus feature includes recipes for almost any budget, and many of them can be sized up to accomodate large and hungry crowds. Almost any vegan cake recipe can be turned into a wedding cake. Just take a decorating class at a local bakery or college, and you'll be set. However, remember to check with the wedding venue about self catering.  It may, in some areas, be a health code issue.  If they are good with it and only have a few managable requirements to ensure safety; why not go for it and pull off the best vegan wedding ever!