You want every guest at your wedding to feel included, safe and well looked after – and that absolutely includes anyone with allergies or specific dietary requirements. Managed properly, this doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. With the right approach, special diets can be handled quietly and confidently in the background so all you notice is happy, well-fed guests.
Start by collecting clear information from your guests. Add a space on your RSVP for dietary requirements and allergies, and consider including examples so people understand the difference between a preference and a medical need. For guests noting serious allergies (for example, nuts or coeliac disease), it’s worth following up personally to clarify exactly what they need and how severe the issue is.
When you design your menu, make inclusivity a priority rather than an afterthought. Aim for vegetarian and vegan dishes that look and taste as appealing as everything else, rather than a single “token” option. Ask your caterer how they can incorporate those dishes into the main menu so that guests with different diets still feel part of the main experience, rather than being served something completely separate and less exciting.
Allergies need a clear plan from kitchen to table. Ensure your caterer knows exactly which guests have medical allergies, what the risks are and which tables they will be sitting at. Ask how they handle preparation (for example, separate areas or equipment where appropriate), how dishes are labelled and how the front-of-house team are briefed to get the right plates to the right guests. This level of planning helps minimise stress for everyone.
On the day, communication makes a huge difference to how confident guests feel. Encourage guests with serious allergies to speak to the catering team or event manager at the start of the reception, so they know who to talk to if they have any questions. You can also discreetly mark place cards or seating plans (agreed with your caterer in advance) to help staff identify who needs which meal without drawing public attention.
It’s also worth thinking about drinks, canapés and evening food. Make sure there are options available at every point in the day for guests who are vegan, gluten-free or have other requirements, rather than just at the main meal. That way, nobody feels left out at drinks, dessert or later in the evening.
Handled well, dietary needs can be fully integrated into your wedding without dominating your planning or your day. If you’d like help creating an inclusive, allergy-aware wedding menu where every guest feels considered, find out more, contact Jeeves Catering on info@jeevescatering.com.
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