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Food is one of the highlights of any wedding, and ensuring all your invited guests can enjoy their meal—regardless of tastes and dietary needs—can feel like a challenge. However, with some planning and communication, catering for dietary requirements doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s how to choose a delicious and inclusive wedding menu that keeps everyone happy!
1. Identify Your Guests’ Dietary Needs Early
When sending out your wedding invitations, include a section for guests to note any dietary restrictions. Common dietary requirements include:
- Vegetarian.
- Vegan.
- Gluten-free.
- Dairy-free.
- Nut allergies.
- Religious dietary restrictions (e.g. Halal).
By gathering this information in advance, you can work with your wedding venue or caterer to ensure all guests are accommodated.
2. Choose a venue that offers menu flexibility
Selecting a wedding venue experienced in handling dietary requirements is key. At Lucan Spa Hotel, our chefs create tailored menus that cater to a variety of dietary needs without compromising on taste or presentation.
When discussing your menu, ask your caterer:
- How they handle dietary requests.
- Whether they offer separate meal options or can adapt main dishes (sauces on side etc).
- If they follow strict cross-contamination protocols for allergies.
3. Opt for an Inclusive Menu
Rather than designing separate dishes for different diets, consider an inclusive menu with naturally accommodating options. For example:
Starters: A fresh salad with a choice of dressings, or a soup that is dairy- and gluten-free.
Mains: Ensuring there is a plant-based dish as one of the main course options or as an available silent option (such as a well-seasoned risotto or stuffed peppers) that everyone can enjoy.
Desserts: A fruit-based dessert or a dairy-free sorbet ensures all guests have a sweet treat.
4. Menu Choice
When selecting your final menu choice, consider how many dishes you will have per course. For example, your typical menu will feature one starter, one soup, a choice of main course and potentially a choice of desserts. On courses where there is no choice for guests, it would be recommended to be less brave and select a dish universally liked by all rather than something that can be “marmite” (either loved or hated with no in-between).
5. Don't Forget Drinks
Some guests may have dietary concerns related to beverages, such as dairy-free milk alternatives for coffee or alcohol-free options for non-drinkers. Having a variety of choices ensures everyone feels included in the celebration, especially at key stages of the day such as an opening drinks reception.
6. Work Closely with Your Venue
Your wedding venue should be a partner in making sure all dietary needs are met seamlessly. At Lucan Spa Hotel, we work with couples to create stress-free wedding menus that cater to all palates, ensuring that every guest enjoys their meal without worry. We anticipate there will be guests with specific dietary requirements, and are always on hand to suggest alternative dishes to suit all palates.
Final Thoughts
Accommodating dietary requirements at your wedding doesn’t have to be complicated. By planning ahead, working with an experienced venue, and choosing an inclusive menu, you can ensure all guests feel welcome and well-fed. Looking for a wedding venue that makes catering simple? Get in touch with Lucan Spa Hotel today to start planning your perfect wedding menu!