Veganism is no longer just a plant-based food trend but a lifestyle – so it’s not wonder more couples are opting for vegan weddings in 2021 and beyond. But having a vegan wedding doesn’t just mean a plant-based wedding menu – think eco-conscious wedding venues, ethically sourced flowers and cruelty-free bridal wear. We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about planning a vegan wedding…
Vegan Wedding Food
One of the most important aspects of planning a vegan wedding is to get the food right. If you’re catering your vegan wedding yourself, a vegan buffet is arguably the best route to go down when it comes to feeding your guests. Opt for plant-based crowd-pleasers and simple yet elegant appetisers. Vegetable kebabs, risotto, pasta dishes, and vegan desserts like cupcakes and brownies are ideal when serving meat-eaters and vegans alike. Check out our round-up of the best vegan wedding food ideas to try now.
If you don’t want the hassle of cooking ahead of your wedding day (who can blame you?) then you could consider hiring a vegan wedding caterer. Whether you’ve been a vegan since before it was cool or are just looking to have a nice range of meat-free wedding food for your guests, we’ve rounded up ten of the best vegan wedding caterers in the UK here.
Vegan Wedding Dresses
Most vegan brides will know to avoid clothing that contains silk, pearls, wool or leather. Of course, this can be difficult when shopping for a wedding dress as silk is one of the most popular bridal materials. When buying a vegan wedding dress, owner of Frock Goddess, a sustainable wedding dress boutique, Jenny McCarthy said: “Ask the person you are buying from these two essential questions. If you cannot get the answers (either because the shop doesn’t know or won’t tell you) then there’s a good chance that the dress will not be sustainable or ethically made.”
Read more about eco-friendly wedding dresses and how to throw an eco-friendly wedding here.
Vegan Makeup
Vegan makeup has never been more popular but when it comes to your makeup bag going vegan, it can be a bit of a minefield. Double-check anything that promises to moisturise and hydrate, as it could contain animal-derived ingredients such as squalene (oil that is sometimes derived from the livers of sharks).
When it comes to eyeshadow, the more shimmery it is, the more cautious you should be. The chances are that the pearl-like sheen that’s brightening up your lids on your big day has been quite literally been taken from pearls, oysters or mussels. Check out our edit of the very best vegan make up products out there right now. And if you’re looking for a wedding makeup artist specialising in vegan, ethical and cruelty-free beauty products, we’ve also got you covered.
Vegan Wedding Invitations
“Use recycled card or biodegradable paper for your stationery,” suggests luxury event planner Alice Wilkes, of ARW. “Seed paper is a great alternative – this will allow your guests to plant your invitation in the ground afterwards, and grow flowers to remind them of your special day.”
Ethically Sourced Flowers
Try to avoid using oasis in your floral arrangements as it’s bad for the environment – ask your florist what your alternatives could be. Alice also has a handy tip for making your wedding flowers less wasteful: “Look into gifting your florals at the end of the day to your guests as a thank you – it will cut down on waste as your arrangements will be appreciated for much longer.
Vegan Wedding Decorations
You can bring your wedding to life by hiring readymade products rather than buying and discarding items, or even building your own. Hiring also helps support small businesses! “Look at using responsibly sourced materials such as wood instead of acrylic – this will create a look that is both luxurious and sustainable,” explains Alice.
