| Catering a wedding reception is a tall order. With | | | | maximize your environmental appeal: Reduce, |
| the wide variety of interests and ethical concerns | | | | Reuse and Recycle. Though you don't want to be |
| that go into eating a meal these days, just the | | | | perceived as an environmental snob, it is a good |
| simple act of putting veal on your reception menu | | | | idea to mention to your guests the different |
| may be cause for some guests to walk out of | | | | ways in which you have conserved energy at an |
| your wedding ceremony in outrage. Make sure | | | | appropriate time near the end of the evening. |
| you consider the following issues when deciding | | | | Philanthropy: If possible, make a small collection |
| between your catering and reception options: | | | | during the reception facilities to donate to a |
| Vegetarianism: As mentioned above, planning a | | | | well-liked charity. Guests will not like feeling like |
| wedding can be difficult, but you need not stress | | | | they have been conned in to donating money, so |
| yourself out trying to provide the absolute | | | | it is best to avoid passing around a |
| perfect wedding food when addressing your | | | | "collection-plate" while they are eating, however if |
| catering options. Most vegetarian individuals will | | | | you are serious about giving money to a good |
| appreciate the support you show for their values | | | | cause, it is advisable that you provide a donation |
| as a nice gesture in itself, without the pretension | | | | box in a conspicuous place and make note of the |
| of insisting on a completely vegetarian menu. With | | | | drive while guests are still together and in their |
| that being said, make sure that your gesture of | | | | seats. |
| good will is not an empty one by providing for | | | | Dietary Health: Few guests will request this |
| actual, delicious vegetarian options. A good model | | | | themselves, so consider it your duty to take |
| is to have at least one fourth of your menu be | | | | these steps as a personal initiative. At least 1/4th |
| vegetarian options. If you spend just a few extra | | | | of your menu at the reception should consist of |
| dollars on vegetarian cuisine, your food conscious | | | | healthy, low-fat, low-sodium dietary options. Also, |
| guests will be sure to thank you. An additional but | | | | consider the distinct possibility that many of your |
| important consideration is the vegan diet. A vegan | | | | guests will have dietary allergies. Consult your |
| diet is one in which members consume only food | | | | guest list before hand and narrow down your |
| that has been produced and harvested without | | | | potential menu items. You don't want to be stuck |
| harm to animals. To accommodate vegans, you | | | | with a menu full of food that your guests can't |
| need to provide only a handle full of options. | | | | eat. |
| Check with your guests before hand to see if | | | | Providing effort is the key thing in making a menu |
| you need to allow for more extensive vegan | | | | and staging a reception that is considerate to the |
| menu. | | | | varied interests of your guests. The wealth of |
| Environmentalism: Environmentally conscious | | | | friends and family that you invite to your wedding |
| guests will want to know that your wedding was | | | | will have a broad range of interests and values. |
| staged without undue waste of energy (think: | | | | Make sure you make note of these interests and |
| DJs, lights, and air-conditioning) and that recycling | | | | respect their ideas when planning your catering |
| opportunities were pursued to their fullest. Rely on | | | | and reception options. |
| the three R's of environmental consciousness to | | | | |