Meal Preferences: Asking Guests Via Wedding Invite

When it comes to wedding invites, it's important to consider how you'll accommodate your guests' meal preferences. While it's not necessary to include a menu in the invite, it's helpful to ask about dietary requirements and allergies. If you're offering menu choices, you can include the full menu in the invitation or on a separate card, with tick boxes or initials for guests to select their preference. This ensures the caterer has the necessary information and reduces food waste. However, some guests may change their minds or find it challenging to choose a meal weeks in advance. Asking guests to pay for their meals is a delicate matter and may be perceived as off-putting. If you choose to do so, be direct and provide clear options for attendance and payment methods.

Including dietary requirements

Invitations and RSVP Cards:

It is not necessary to include a full menu in your wedding invitations, especially if you are planning a set menu for everyone. However, if you are offering your guests different menu options, it is a good idea to include the full menu details in the invitation or on a separate enclosure card. This allows guests to make their choices in advance, which is helpful for catering purposes and reduces food waste. When including menu options, it is essential to provide a way for guests to indicate their selections clearly. Here are some suggestions:

• Add a food choice section to the RSVP card, with space for guests to initial or tick their selections.
• Provide a separate line for each invited guest, where they can write their name, indicate their attendance, and choose their entrée.
• Use pictures or symbols to represent each menu item, providing a visual cue for guests.
• If finalising the menu before sending out invites, include some details about each choice, such as "filet mignon" instead of just "beef".
• For online RSVPs, create additional fields to request each guest's meal choice and any dietary restrictions.

Dietary Requirements and Allergies:

It is essential to include a section for dietary requirements and allergies on your RSVP card or invitation. This allows guests to inform you of any restrictions or allergies they may have. Here is some wording you can use:

• "Please include any dietary requirements or allergies: ______"
• "Please advise of any food allergies: ______________________"

If there are guests with serious allergies, consider reaching out to them personally to go over the menu and ensure their needs are accommodated.

Children's Meals:

Including children's meal options can be a bit more complicated. You have a few options:

• Handle the children's menus privately without mentioning them in the invitation.
• Include a separate card with children's menu options and a way for them to reply, such as their own reply card or a separate email/phone number.
• If only a small number of children are invited, you can include their menu choices in the invitations sent to their families.

Remember, it is always a good idea to discuss these details with your caterer or reception venue to ensure they can accommodate any dietary requirements and provide a delicious and safe meal for all your guests.

Asking guests to pay for their meal

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to consider what information to include about the meal choices for your guests. While it's not necessary to include a full menu, it's a good idea to give your guests options and gather their preferences in advance, especially if you're having a seated dinner. This will help you and your caterers immensely and reduce food waste.

• Opt for a buffet or family-style meal: These serving styles allow guests to choose their dishes and portion sizes. It's more affordable and gives guests a variety of options.
• Be transparent about expectations: If you're unable to cover the cost of meals, it's essential to communicate this clearly and politely to your guests. Explain your circumstances and let them know about the cost per plate. You can include this information on your wedding website or in the invitation suite.
• Provide meal options at different price points: Work with your caterer to offer a range of meal choices at varying prices. This way, guests can select an option that fits their budget.
• Suggest contributions instead of gifts: Instead of traditional wedding gifts, you can politely suggest that guests contribute financially towards the cost of their meals. Emphasize that their presence and contribution are valued.
• Host a cocktail-style reception: Instead of a formal seated dinner, consider hosting a cocktail-style reception with light hors d'oeuvres or food stations. This typically reduces the cost per guest and gives them a variety of options without requiring them to pay explicitly for their meals.
• Keep the guest list intimate: If budget constraints are a concern, consider reducing the number of guests. This way, you can more easily cover the cost of meals without asking guests to pay.

Remember, it's generally considered rude to ask guests to pay for their meals at a wedding, especially if they are already incurring travel expenses. The reception is typically seen as a way to thank the guests for their attendance and well-wishes. However, if circumstances require you to consider this option, transparency, politeness, and offering choices are key to navigating this sensitive topic.

Wording the request delicately

When it comes to asking your wedding guests about their meal preferences, it's important to word the request delicately. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you navigate this aspect of your wedding planning:

Be Clear and Concise:

When asking guests about their meal choices, it's important to be clear and concise. Provide a simple and straightforward request, such as "Please indicate your meal preference below" or "Kindly select your entrée choice." This ensures that your guests understand what information you need from them.

Provide Options:

Offer a variety of meal options to choose from. Typically, having three to four options is sufficient. Consider including a mix of meat, fish, vegetarian, and vegan options to accommodate different dietary preferences and restrictions. You can also add a line for any specific allergies or dietary requirements, such as "Please list any food allergies or restrictions."

Use a Response Card:

Include a response card with your invitation, where guests can indicate their meal choices. This can be a separate card enclosed within the invitation suite. On the response card, list the available menu options and provide space for guests to initial or select their preferred choice. For example:

"Please initial your meal choice:

• Chicken ___
• Fish ___
• Vegetarian ___
• Vegan ___

Please list any food allergies or restrictions:"

Alternatively, you can create a separate line for each invited guest, allowing them to write their name, indicate their attendance, and select their meal choice. This ensures that you know which guest has chosen each option.

Consider an Online RSVP:

If you have a wedding website or online RSVP system, you can include meal choices as additional fields. This method saves paper and can make it easier to collect and manage your guests' food preferences.

Be Mindful of Wording:

When asking guests about their meal choices, avoid using language that may come across as demanding or presumptive. Instead of assuming everyone will be attending, use wording such as "If you would like to attend, please select your meal choice below." This approach respects your guests' freedom of choice and avoids putting them in an awkward position.

"We would be honoured by your presence at our wedding celebration. To ensure a memorable dining experience, please indicate your meal preference by initialing the option that suits you best:

• Chicken ___
• Fish ___
• Vegetarian ___
• Vegan ___

Additionally, please list any specific food allergies or dietary restrictions we should be aware of: ___"

Remember, the key is to be clear, concise, and respectful when asking your guests about their meal preferences. By providing options and using thoughtful wording, you can create a seamless experience for your guests while also gathering the information you need for your wedding planning.

Offering a potluck-style reception

Planning and Communication

• Potluck weddings work best for small weddings, or you can ask each table to bring food for themselves.
• Create a shared document where guests can sign up for what they'll bring, so everyone knows what's already covered.
• Ask guests to bring a dish in a certain category, like an appetiser or side.
• Provide the main course and wedding cake yourselves, and ask guests to bring other dishes.
• Communicate clearly with your guests about what's expected of them, and any dietary requirements.
• Ask guests to bring their dishes in disposable serveware to make clean-up easier.
• Have a post-potluck clean-up plan, and consider hiring a wait staff to take care of it.

Theme and Presentation

• Rent or buy matching platters and serving utensils for a cohesive look.
• Use banquet tables with pre-labelled dishes to keep things organised.
• Include ingredients on the labels so guests with allergies know what's safe to eat.
• Add a personal touch by asking guests to bring a dish that represents their heritage.

Gifts

Typically, guests don't bring gifts to a potluck wedding, as contributing to the menu is considered the gift. However, you can still provide a wedding registry for those who want to give something else. Send thank-you notes to all your guests, mentioning the specific dish they brought.

Creating a wedding website for food preferences

Include a food preference section:

On your wedding website, create a dedicated section for food preferences. This can be a separate page or a section within the RSVP form. Clearly communicate to your guests the importance of providing this information and how it will help you plan the wedding menu.

Ask about dietary restrictions and allergies:

It is essential to ask your guests about any dietary restrictions or food allergies they may have. This information will help you ensure that everyone can be accommodated and safely enjoy the meal. You can include a statement such as, "Please advise us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions to ensure we can provide a meal that suits your needs."

Provide meal options:

If you are offering a choice of meals, list the available options on the website. Be sure to include a brief description of each dish to help guests make an informed decision. You can also mention if there will be vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options available. An example could be: "Please select your preferred meal option from the following choices:

• Chicken dish: Herb-roasted chicken with seasonal vegetables
• Fish dish: Grilled salmon with lemon butter sauce
• Vegetarian option: Vegetable lasagna with garden salad"

Allow guests to specify their preferences:

Give your guests the option to provide additional information about their food preferences. For example, they may want to specify if they prefer a certain type of cuisine, if they have any strong dislikes, or if they are open to trying new things. This can be done through a simple statement such as, "Please let us know if you have any specific food preferences or restrictions that we should be aware of."

Collect information for each guest:

It is important to collect food preference information for each individual guest. This will help you accurately plan the quantities needed for each dish. You can create a system where guests can input their names or initials next to their meal choices. This ensures that everyone's preferences are respected and makes it easier for the catering team to serve the correct dishes to the right guests.

Consider a separate children's menu:

If children are invited to the wedding, consider creating a separate section for their food preferences. You can provide options specifically tailored to younger guests, such as kid-friendly meals or smaller portions. This ensures that both the adults and children will enjoy their meals.

By following these steps, you can effectively create a wedding website that gathers the necessary information about your guests' food preferences. This will help you plan a menu that accommodates everyone's needs and ensures a memorable dining experience on your special day.

Frequently asked questions