The vegan movement has become so mainstream that having a full-blown, vegan wedding is officially an option. Beyond food, you can also opt for cruelty-free products just about everywhere.
But before planning your vegan wedding, it’s important to understand the areas that are the most important to you and your partner. Where you decide to spend your money, time, and energy should be properly curated. Unlike a few years ago, vegan-friendly wedding options available are now plentiful and highly desirable.
Learn how to plan the perfect vegan wedding here.
Clearly Communicate That You’re Having a Vegan Wedding
Perhaps you’re worried about upsetting your guests by announcing that you’re having a vegan wedding. One important thing to remember, however, is that weddings are made to celebrate love — not the food or the season! You shouldn’t feel as though you’re forcing your diet onto others, but instead, introducing them to your healthier choices.
You shouldn’t compromise your vegan wedding menu simply to please others. Continue planning your wedding despite any criticism you may receive. Consider creating an FAQ about your vegan wedding catering so that your guests are aware of what they’ll be eating and how it’s being prepared.
At the end of the day, how you plan your wedding is 100 percent up to you and your partner — not anyone else.
Location and Venue are Key
You’ll find a lot more options in larger cities for hosting vegan weddings. Location and venue are two key components to planning a vegan wedding. If you want to get a head start, do a quick online search for “vegan venues near me” to get the ball rolling.
In some cases, you could hire a non-vegan venue and ask them to cater to your vegan wedding. But if you live in a smaller town, you’ll have to get more creative. Consider working with a vegan and sustainable wedding planner to help with some of the responsibilities.
Vegan Wedding Catering
You should do as much research as possible when it comes to wedding catering. Vegan wedding catering is no exception. You’ll need to go for tastings and speak to caterers about their past clients to ensure that your wedding will be smooth and delicious.
It’s not a bad idea to offer vegan recipes to your caterer or venue. If they haven’t done a vegan wedding before, you’ll be giving them the opportunity to expand their repertoire. Not to mention, you’ll get to work side by side with caterers and expand your own cooking skills!
Cruelty-Free Fashion
There is a wide variety of designers committed to having cruelty-free clothes. You can find vegan wedding gowns and tuxedos both online and in various wedding shops. But be prepared to make a few compromises in this department as well.
For example, you could find the perfect wedding dress but discover that it’s made with animal products. Or, you could have a cruelty-free wedding dress, but it might be pre-worn and not as glamorous. Even if you can’t find outfits for your wedding party that are certified vegan, there are other options.
You can avoid buying silk or other clothes made from animal products. Since silk is one of the most common materials used in weddings, find alternatives. A cotton, chiffon, or polyester dress might not be officially vegan but is a lot more animal-friendly than silk or leather.
Wedding Rings
Finding alternatives to diamond rings is complementary to the social justice agenda most vegans have. Consider having a peridot ring or the birthstone of the month that you and your partner met. There are also wedding ring designers focused on man-made rings that are fully customizable and cruelty-free.
Wedding Makeup and Hair
Lucky for you and your wedding party, there are makeup artists who specialize in vegan makeup. Or if you’re doing your makeup yourself, there are vegan makeup products that will still give you your beautiful wedding look. Big brands like Tarte, Urban Decay, LUSH, Von D, Pacifica, and Milani offer makeup products that don’t use animal products or testing.
There are also a variety of cruelty-free hair products to choose from. Are you a big fan of hair spray? Paul Mitchell offers a plethora of vegan hair products — we’d recommend their Finishing Spray for your wedding day.
Vegan Wedding Favors
A great idea for giving back to your guests and to the community after your wedding is by donating to PETA. Their wedding donations also include vegan chocolate bars for each guest. PETA will have a notecard for each guest when you make a donation.
Etsy is also a great source for vegan wedding favors. They have ideas for homemade vegan bath bombs or some that are ready for purchase. You’ll also find vegan candles, vegan seed paper, and more.
Wedding Floral Arrangements
Unfortunately, most fake flowers are made of silk, which is hardly cruelty-free. And if you want to have a positive environmental impact, aim for fair-trade plants. Whatever plants are blooming during the season of your wedding, plan for that — in-season flowers tend to be cheaper as well!
Vegan Decorations and Textiles
You should ask yourself if you’d rather buy new things or have used things that can be re-used for your wedding. Check to see what your venue offers that they reuse for other weddings. You can also have your thank-you notes on seed paper that your guests can plant into things like tomatoes or basil.
You Can Have A Vegan Wedding with Ease!
Keep in mind that there is no award for hosting the most vegan wedding. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have every aspect of your wedding be 100 percent cruelty-free.
But you can adopt some of our ideas and have a vegan wedding that is perfect for you!
Looking for more informational articles on weddings and special celebrations? Check out the rest of our site!
