How to Easily Find Vegan Wedding Catering Near You

Say "I do" to these vegan wedding catering tips.
Tofu noodles and vegetables
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Jessica Estrada - The Knot Contributor.
by
Jessica Estrada
Jessica Estrada - The Knot Contributor.
Jessica Estrada
The Knot Contributor
  • Jessica contributes wedding planning, wedding etiquette and relationship content to The Knot.
  • She also covers lifestyle and wellness topics for print and digital publications such Refinery29, Bustle, Well + Good, Cosmopolitan, Byrdie, The Zoe Report, The Cut and more.
  • Jessica has a journalism degree from Cal State University, Northridge and is certified as a life and success coach.
Updated Aug 28, 2024

Planning your dream wedding is a magical yet meticulous process and finding a good wedding caterer requires effort. If you and your partner are committed to having a vegan wedding, finding vegan wedding catering may seem like a daunting task. The good news? It doesn't have to be. It's possible to find a wedding caterer who can deliver a delicious vegan wedding menu for you and your guests. Keep reading for tips on how to easily find vegan wedding catering near you as well as tips on what to look for and how to coordinate with your caterer after booking them to ensure the plant-based dishes leave a lasting impression on your wedding day.

In this article:

Vegan Wedding Caterer Cost

As you're researching vegan wedding food, the cost of catering will understandably be at the top of your mind. Is there a cost difference compared to non-vegan catering? In short, there can be.

"The typical cost of a vegan caterer will vary based on the organization you partner with," explains Christie Altendorf, director of marketing and senior event planner for D'Amico Catering in Minneapolis, Minnesota. "There are many full-service catering companies that offer both vegan and non-vegan fare, and there are vegan-specific caterers that truly specialize in this style of cuisine and run a completely vegan kitchen. These niche caterers may have a slightly higher cost than their multifaceted counterparts due to the specialty ingredients that they are cooking with all day every day."

What to Look for in a Vegan Wedding Caterer

When choosing a vegan wedding caterer, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure your menu goes off without a hitch. Here are the top boxes they should tick.

Specializes In Vegan Catering

As you search for vegan wedding catering near you, you'll likely find options that serve a variety of different cuisines and some that specialize in vegan catering. Either option will work, but the most important thing is finding a catering company and chef you feel comfortable with.

"If you are open to a caterer who can provide all different types of cuisine, it's important to have a conversation with them ahead of booking to understand how often they prepare vegan menus, their comfort level with this style of cooking, and request sample menus of past experiences," Altendorf says. "This ensures you have a good scope of what your own possibilities may be and that you've established mutual trust from day one."

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Willingness To Customize

When hiring a wedding caterer (vegan or otherwise), it's crucial they are flexible and are willing to work with you to craft your dream menu. For this reason, Altendorf advises adding a question about customizations to your list of questions to ask your wedding caterer. Do they typically have a set vegan menu that you can choose from? Or can they work with you to create something that reflects you and your partner?

Quality Ingredients

Digging a little deeper, Altendorf also suggests asking a vegan wedding caterer about what ingredients they use. "Don't hesitate to ask questions like where they source produce, alternative meats or what egg substitutes are preferred," she says. This will ensure that the menu and ingredients are up to your standards in terms of not only taste but also quality.

How to Find a Vegan Wedding Caterer

Finding a vegan wedding caterer near you doesn't have to be a difficult task. Follow these pro tips to help you navigate the process.

The Knot Marketplace

To make your search for vegan wedding catering easier, don't miss out on The Knot Marketplace as a helpful resource. "The Knot does an excellent job in labeling the different niche markets that caterers might fall into, including vegan-specific caterers, and everything can be filtered down to your local area," Altendorf says.

Check Google And Instagram

Type "vegan wedding catering" into Google or Instagram and you'll find tons of options. To help narrow your search, Altendorf recommends including your location in keywords such as "vegan wedding catering Los Angeles" or "vegan wedding catering Dallas Texas." That said, don't limit your search locally. Altendorf suggests browsing different national vegan caterers' menus and social media feeds to use as inspiration for your wedding day.

Tap Into Your Community

"I'm a big fan of relying on your community and hearing about experiences that real people have had with any wedding vendor," Altendorf says. For this reason, she recommends asking people you know for vegan wedding catering recommendations. As a starting point when seeking a vegan caterer, she also suggests checking with your favorite vegan restaurant or local farmer's market.

How to Coordinate With Your Vegan Caterer After Booking

What happens after booking your dream caterer? Follow our guide to create your perfect vegan wedding food menu.

Share Your Ideas

Once you've chosen and booked a vegan wedding caterer, share your vegan food ideas with them including your vegan wedding cake ideas. Let them know what is important for you and your partner and what foods you like and don't like. "For example, a big dichotomy that we see with our vegan clients is that some love the new alternative meat options hitting the marketplace and others detest them," Altendorf says. "Regardless of which camp you fall into, let your caterer know so they don't spend time creating something for you that you're not into."

Be Honest With Your Guests

Another key thing that your vegan wedding caterer wants you to know is that it's vital you let your guests know the menu is fully vegan. "Under no circumstances should you try to pull the wool over their eyes and claim that a dish is made with animal protein if it's not or omit that the coffee creamer is made from almonds," Altendorf says. "While you should be proud to showcase the culinary lifestyle you believe in, don't let that get in the way of allowing guests to decide what they will enjoy or making decisions that could potentially impact their health due to allergies or sensitivities."

Trust Your Caterer And Chef

Lastly and most importantly, as you coordinate with your vegan wedding catering team after booking them, it's key that you trust them to do their job. "Remember that these are creative humans who work best when they're given the space and trust to show their expertise," Altendorf says. "The best ideas and the most beautiful preparations are those that the chef has been empowered and inspired to deliver."

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