CountingTheWaves
07-21-2010, 12:03 PM
So we set a date (for the last time, I think it's been changed three or four times at this point!), put in our contract for the dream venue, and have been working on the catering. Amidst all that, the first little problem has come up. And I was NOT expecting it.
Fiance and I are both vegetarians. Not only that, we're vegetarians who don't drink much. I had one too many bad experiences with alcohol in college, and we both feel very strongly about animal rights. All the people who are even remotely close to us know this. We figured it would be no biggie.
One of my bridesmaids, when I asked her for her opinion, told me that people go to receptions for alcohol. Nothing more, nothing less. I know that I asked her for her thoughts, but it still stung! Not only that, my dad (who actually HAS been a vegetarian in the past, so I know he can make it one night without a steak) got all wigged out and asked my mom "What will we eat?!" That's very unlike him, he's usually very supportive. I don't get it. He came around, but it was still an odd surprise....
Fiance's reaction was to say that if people value meat and booze more than being with us on our day, then it's no great loss if they don't come. He sees this very much as a personal affair, and he cares more about what will make us happy than what will make other people happy. I agree, but it still hurts a bit to hear people say that receptions are essentially boring and in danger of being left early if there's not an open bar!
The bridesmaid ultimately relented and said that it's no huge issue. But a few days ago, we met with the venue coordinator and she gave us such a look when we mentioned that we wanted a vegetarian reception. Like Hold up, you expect other people to live without meat?!
Well, yes! There will be stir fry, kebabs, potatoes, several different types of pasta, wontons, spring rolls, quesadillas, cake, you name it! People are not going to starve to death, not by a long shot. The coordinator mentioned in the end that she thought our menu was well-rounded enough to satisfy everyone, so that was nice, but it was preceded with a lot of"Well, I don't mind, but other people..."-type statements. It's frustrating to me because if our reasons were religious, no one would be questioning us.
Anyway, we've come to a compromise on the alcohol, but there's no way we'll budge on the meat. And the coordinator sounded like the chef might be iffy on doing it. It's so stressful, I just want to march up to the chef and say "see it as a challenge, rise to the occasion and make the best meat-free food ever!" Or something.
Whew, first vent...not so sure how I feel now that I've finished it. Hopefully this issue will just resolve itself. If anyone whines about wanting filet mignon on my wedding day, they might get an earful, lol!
Fiance and I are both vegetarians. Not only that, we're vegetarians who don't drink much. I had one too many bad experiences with alcohol in college, and we both feel very strongly about animal rights. All the people who are even remotely close to us know this. We figured it would be no biggie.
One of my bridesmaids, when I asked her for her opinion, told me that people go to receptions for alcohol. Nothing more, nothing less. I know that I asked her for her thoughts, but it still stung! Not only that, my dad (who actually HAS been a vegetarian in the past, so I know he can make it one night without a steak) got all wigged out and asked my mom "What will we eat?!" That's very unlike him, he's usually very supportive. I don't get it. He came around, but it was still an odd surprise....
Fiance's reaction was to say that if people value meat and booze more than being with us on our day, then it's no great loss if they don't come. He sees this very much as a personal affair, and he cares more about what will make us happy than what will make other people happy. I agree, but it still hurts a bit to hear people say that receptions are essentially boring and in danger of being left early if there's not an open bar!
The bridesmaid ultimately relented and said that it's no huge issue. But a few days ago, we met with the venue coordinator and she gave us such a look when we mentioned that we wanted a vegetarian reception. Like Hold up, you expect other people to live without meat?!
Well, yes! There will be stir fry, kebabs, potatoes, several different types of pasta, wontons, spring rolls, quesadillas, cake, you name it! People are not going to starve to death, not by a long shot. The coordinator mentioned in the end that she thought our menu was well-rounded enough to satisfy everyone, so that was nice, but it was preceded with a lot of"Well, I don't mind, but other people..."-type statements. It's frustrating to me because if our reasons were religious, no one would be questioning us.
Anyway, we've come to a compromise on the alcohol, but there's no way we'll budge on the meat. And the coordinator sounded like the chef might be iffy on doing it. It's so stressful, I just want to march up to the chef and say "see it as a challenge, rise to the occasion and make the best meat-free food ever!" Or something.
Whew, first vent...not so sure how I feel now that I've finished it. Hopefully this issue will just resolve itself. If anyone whines about wanting filet mignon on my wedding day, they might get an earful, lol!