AITA for serving vegan food at my wedding?

A Reddit user shared their wedding dilemma after deciding to serve vegan food at their upcoming June wedding. Both the bride and groom are vegans, and they chose a vegan caterer to reflect their values. While they made it clear that any specific dietary requirements would be accommodated, an uncle took issue with the menu.

His “cultural” need for meat sparked family drama, with the aunt demanding a meat option for him. Despite explaining that the food would consist of ingredients he regularly eats, tensions escalated. After the bride suggested he bring fast food if he’s that upset, family backlash ensued. Now, the couple is wondering if they’re being unreasonable for sticking to their vegan-only menu. Invite people to share their thoughts below!

‘ AITA for serving vegan food at my wedding?’

My fiance and I are getting married in June next year. We’re both vegans, and although we don’t judge those who are not vegan, we wanted to serve vegan food at our wedding. We found a vegan caterer.

When we sent out invitations, we added a note saying that the food will be vegan. We also asked that everyone who has any specific dietary requirements let us know. The note made it clear that anyone who needed a specific diet would be catered for.

Soon after the invitations went out, my aunt phoned us in a huff. My uncle does not want vegan food; he needs to eat meat, she said. I asked what his dietary requirements are, thinking that he has a specific medical condition and cannot eat a vegan meal. She said his reasons are “cultural” and he must eat meat. I said that’s not really a good enough reason, we all come from the same culture and it’s not like it’s a sin to not eat meat with every single meal.

I explained to her that I wouldn’t really mind him eating meat but 1) it means I’ll have to bring in a new caterer for one meal, which will be expensive and 2) I don’t want to pay for meat if I don’t have to. Again, I’m not judging non-vegans, but it doesn’t sit right with me.

Weeks went by. The only people who had dietary requirements were three cousins, who eat a low-carb diet. My vegan caterer came up with vegan, low-carb meals, and my cousins were happy with this plan. Upon hearing this, my aunt phoned me again, angrier this time, asking why my uncle can’t be catered for because he “doesn’t like” vegan food.

I refused again. I told her that the food consists of things I KNOW he eats anyway: vegetables, coconut, nuts, etc. I went through a list of ingredients I knew would be in the food and she admitted he has no intolerances/allergies to any of that stuff. What’s the big deal with him skipping meat one time? I told her that if he’s so adamant about the meat he can buy himself McDonalds and eat it at the kiddy table.

Now my aunt isn’t talking to me, and is instead talking s**t about me to all my family members. I told her that they are welcome to simply not attend the wedding if they’re going to b**ch about the food.

I understand that veganism is not possible or sustainable for many people in the long-term but come on – it’s ONE meal, that is FREE. AITA? I don’t want to seem like a “pushy vegan” but I also don’t want to pay for meat unless I have to. Again, it’s one meal out of their whole life.

Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:

a79j −  NTA. Like you said, it is one meal and it’s FREE. And most importantly, it is YOUR wedding.

Xstitchpixels −  NTA. Your wedding for one thing. If people don’t want to eat vegan, they simply don’t have to eat the free meal. And this is coming from a meat eating guy

Hippocr1t −  NTA my cousin served vegan food at her wedding. It was delicious. Your aunt is being a pain.

Vixen7-9 −  Oh dear – how will I, a meat eater, ever survive without meat for less than a day? Your aunt is being a big baby. Can’t say for sure your uncle is, since he said nothing, for all we know your aunt used him as an excuse. Or maybe he’s being a baby too. NTA. Tell her they can go to a steakhouse while the adults attend the wedding.

madmidnito −  NTA. Even Ron Swanson would keep his mouth shut on this and just eat a Paunch Burger before (and after). They have no class.

[Reddit User] −  NTA. Not even a tiny bit. It’s your wedding and your choice. You’ve catered for those who have specific requirements so you’re already doing your best. Maybe he can bring a little Tupperware box of ham or something to keep him from wasting away after being forced to eat one plant based (free) meal…

Evie_Eden −  NTA – They are being petty. Let them eat meat! At home.

EarnestWishes001 −  I went to my Godson’s wedding last year and it turns out his wife is vegan, so it was a vegan meal. The food was stunning and I only noticed it was vegan when people on my table started grumbling about it halfway through.

The food was just so exquisite, tasty and filling. Perfect choice for an autumn wedding, with seasonal veg & produce. I couldn’t believe how rude some of the guests were (a) it was free (b) it was some of the most creative catering I had experienced for a while (c) they expected the bride to put up with the sight & smells of cooked meat AT HER OWN WEDDING???

lurkishdelight −  NTA if uncle is human, YTA if uncle is a cat or other obligate carnivore.

Revo63 −  NTA. You are handling that bossy aunt exactly the right way. It’s your wedding, you’re paying for the meals, you get to decide. They have the option of not attending. Edit: I was also thinking that they could bring a burger if he needed meat that badly.

Is the couple right to stick with their values for their wedding, or should they have made an exception for their uncle’s preferences? Would you attend a wedding with a fully vegan menu? We’d love to hear your thoughts—comment below!