Vegan Wedding Ideas: From Clothing to Catering & More

Celebrate your love with a joyful, compassionate, and affordable vegan wedding

 

Planning a vegan wedding is much easier than it used to be – with vegan makeup, vegan clothing, and vegan food and desserts more plentiful than ever before. With so many great options, it can be difficult to know where to start! 

 

Whether you’re planning a completely-vegan wedding or an almost-vegan wedding, these ideas are sure to get you headed on the right path to a joyful, compassionate, and budget friendly day. Mix and match your favorite suggestions below to create a wedding that works for you. 

 

 

(Photo by Mat Brown / Pexels)

 

 

Vegan Wedding Ideas: Clothing, Catering, Makeup, Wedding Favors, Wedding Officiant, and More 

 

• Vegan Clothing and Formal Wear

 

Many wedding tuxedos, dresses, and suits are made from animal-derived materials like sheep’s wool, silk or silk satin, horn and bone (buttons), and horse hair. Luckily, there are lots of plant-based fabrics and synthetics to consider when choosing vegan wedding attire. 

 

Plant-based tuxedos and gowns can be made from linen, cotton, hemp, bamboo viscose and rayon, and polyester blends, with wrinkle-free finishing to help avoid creases during a busy wedding day. And lace, tulle, and modern satin is often made from synthetic fibers, so don’t be afraid to ask for more details when trying on clothes! You may need to weed out some non-plant-based items, however (forgive the pun) – keep in mind that many linen blends contain wool, and some satin is made from silk, for example.

 

Some vegan nearly-weds may also consider consignment and second hand wedding dresses and suits as a sustainable alternative to strictly-vegan attire. In this case, you will have many more options available to you. 

 

Inspiration: See Real-World Vegan Clothing Examples

 

For inspiration, check out this beautiful light blue herringbone linen suit jacket tailored in Spain for The Compassionate Snob for her vegan groom. Or this stylish slate-gray vegan three-piece suit made by RW & Co, worn by a vegan groom over at It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken. And of course any of the vegan wedding dress recommendations by the experts at Rachel Scott Couture, including a dreamy draped viscose crepe gown. 

 

 

(Photo by Jonathan Borba / Pexels)

 

 

• Vegan Dress Shoes and Boots

 

Most luxury men’s footwear is made from leather, including calfskin, shell cordovan, and suede; while silk is used to make everything from women’s high heels to high-end ballet flats. These materials are incredibly expensive to use, however – which means that many manufacturers now offer fully or mostly vegan-friendly footwear. 

 

Vegan footwear is often made from synthetic materials like polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as well as plant-based materials like cork, cactus, and pineapple leaves. All of these materials (and more) can be used to produce vegan leather, which looks and feels similar to traditional designer designs. 

 

You can also stick with simple, alternative shoe options like vegan Converse sneakers or Dr. Martens. Even better, these cute styles can be dressed-up or dressed-down to wear after the wedding’s over, for maximum sustainability!

 

Inspiration: Real World Examples of Vegan Wedding Shoes

 

For inspiration, check out these vegan velvet mary janes, this assortment of vegan womens wedding shoes on the Immaculate Vegan, and these custom-embroidered wedding Converse, stitched with colorful flowers and a lot of love. 

 

 

I embroidered a friend's wedding converse!
byu/penny_threadful inEmbroidery

 

 

• Vegan-Friendly Wedding Officiant

 

Choose a wedding officiant who understands your vegan values and beliefs, such as a close friend or family member. Even if veganism isn’t front-and-center in your ceremony, the core values behind it are – values like compassion, ethical consumerism, environmental stewardship, and respect and love for all. 

 

Having a friend officiant who truly understands who you are and the values you’ll honor in your marriage makes all the difference on the wedding day! Friends can get ordained online to officiate a wedding with American Marriage Ministries, and it only takes a minute.

|* mop-button *|

Once your chosen officiant is ordained, you can plan every moment of the wedding ceremony with them – including a sweet nature-themed wedding or eco-friendly wedding. 

 

Having a friend officiate ensures your wedding unfolds exactly the way you want it to, for a celebration that is undeniably joyful, compassionate, and authentically you. 

 

 

(Photo by Gustavo Fring/ Pexels)

 

 

• Vegan Wedding Cakes & Desserts

 

Honestly, finding delicious vegan wedding desserts will probably be one of the easiest things you do, and that’s great news! 

 

If you don’t have a local vegan bakery available for a custom wedding cake (or pies, cupcakes, or cookies), you can ask a close friend to bake one, or find a variety of vegan wedding cakes at most local grocery stores. For example, Just Desserts brand, Whole Foods, Better Bites Bakery brand all offer vegan cakes and desserts (via VegNews). Consider a vegan dessert table instead of just one classic wedding cake! 

 

Inspiration: Real World Examples of Vegan Wedding Desserts

 

For inspiration, check out these 10 Vegan Wedding Cake Ideas That Will Make Any Wedding Sweeter over at The Knot.

 

Or read about an AMM Minister (and chef) who officiated a wedding for her daughters – including baking them a vegan wedding cake: Pastry Chef Officiates Epic Gay Wedding In a Cave, And It’s Just As Cool As It Sounds

 

 

(Photo by Антон Залевський / Pexels)

 

 

• Vegan Wedding Menu

 

Lucky for us, there are lots of vegan wedding menu options to pick from, and plenty of wedding caterers who are willing to work with couples to create vegan (or vegan friendly) meal plans. Consider cultural dishes, multi-cultural fusions, and childhood favorites to add a personal touch to the celebration.

 

Whether you plan a potluck-style wedding reception or a professionally catered brunch or dinner, the key to success will be clear communiciation. Before you book a vendor, ask if they offer a variety of vegan dishes, or are willing to make substitutions. Keep in mind that some caterers will increase food and beverage costs based on substitutions -- keep costs upfront in the conversation.

 

Talk with your chefs and catering staff early-on about any important dietary restrictions, including veganism, sensory preferences, or food allergies. Then work together to design a menu that meets your needs and your budget. 

 

Inspiration:  Vegan Wedding Sample Menu

 

Need a little inspiration? Veggie gyozas, ratatouille, cauliflower piccata, crispy polenta, eggplant cannelloni, and avocado and lime mousse éclairs are definitely crowd-pleasers, even among non-vegan guests. (Is your mouth watering yet?) 

And consider blending your heritage and values for a unique cultural culinary experience, like this stunning menu served at the wedding of a vegan food blogger (for Sweet Potato Soul’s Jenné Claiborne and Maxx Loup, via Vegan Weddings): 

 

• “Superfood shiitake salad with kale, blueberries, mango, and edible flowers
• Southern fried crispy cauliflower chicken with pineapple-soy mumbo sauce
• Caribbean red bean stew with coconut milk, coconut nectar, and island spices
• Crispy potato salad topped with micro greens
• African street corn with Eritrean berbere spice and garlic aioli
• Braised Swiss chard, kale, dandelion greens, and collards in a coconut-miso broth
• Sweet cornbread waffles and seasoned cauliflower chicken with spirulina butter sauce”

 

Delicious!

 

 

(Photo: Anchiy/ iStock)

 

 

• Vegan Makeup, Hair, and Beauty Products

 

Vegan beauty products have come a long way, thankfully. If you and your crew are doing your own makeup the day of the wedding, many major brands offer vegan and cruelty-free options at a variety of price-points, including e.l.f. Cosmetics, Kiss My Face, Malin and Goetz, Urban Decay, Pacifica, Paul Mitchell, Lush, Dragun Beauty, Too Faced, and Cover FX. (Note: some of these brands are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, some just offer a vegan line; be sure to check before you buy.) 

 

If you’re hiring a professional hair and makeup team for the day, consider hiring a vegan makeup artist – someone who specializes in vegan and cruelty-free products. These magical vendors can be found in many major cities, and will advertise their unique services on their website. For example, The Caitlyn Meyer Pro Team in Baltimore and DC specializes in “LGBTQIA+ Owned Vegan & Cruelty-Free Beauty” services, and lists multiple beauty businesses on their website. 

 

If you’re not able to find or afford a vendor that specializes in vegan beauty options, let your makeup team know your preferences ahead of time (when booking them), along with any skin sensitivities and allergies you have. Then, work together to select products that suit your needs.  

 

No matter what option you choose, beauty experts recommend that you use a good setting powder and setting spray to make the look last all day! The Compassionate Snob recommends De-Slick Mattifying Powder and All Nighter Make-Up Setting Spray, both by Urban Decay.

 

 

(Photo: KAMPUS/ iStock)

 

 

• Vegan Wedding Favors for Guests

 

Whether you’re bundling up some fun products as vegan-friendly bridesmaids gifts, or gathering wedding favors for guests, there are lots of great vegan options to choose from! 

 

Some popular vegan wedding favors and gifts include vegan wines and chocolates, vegan soaps and plant-based candles, magical herb bundles and casting crystals, miniature jars packed with aromatic tea blends, custom mint tins, and cute bags of candies and cookies.

 

 

(Photo: oksana_nazarchuk/ iStock)

 

 

• Vegan Wedding Photography

 

Unfortunately, we aren't aware of any fully-vegan film options yet. Depending on your personal approach to vegan living (as in, "strictly-vegan" versus "vegan-lite"), this could mean that traditional wedding prints, polaroids, and physical photo albums are off-limits on the wedding day. Luckily, most professional photographers use digital equipment to photograph weddings and will send your album as a digital folder at your request. 

 

As a low-budget option, have family and friends capture your day with fun candid shots on their cell phones.Guest photos can be uploaded to a shared Google Drive folder for safe-keeping and easy sorting after the celebration is over. 

 

 

• Vegan-friendly Wedding Transportation

 

Consider carpooling and public transportation options when organizing your events! For example, out-of-town guests staying at the same hotel can split a ride to your pre-wedding brunch; or hire a single van to bring guests from your ceremony to your reception. Depending on where you live, public transportation might be a great option to get your guests where they need to go before, during, and after your celebration. 

 

Encourage loved ones to use sustainable transportation by including helpful information on your wedding website or RSVP emails. For example, you might include a map of nearby bus stops and bus route numbers, a link to your local transit website, or a note about carpooling: “We’ll be providing your ride from the church to the restaurant and back as well as free parking – no car needed to join the party!”

 

Whether your wedding is fully vegan or just vegan-inspired, these ideas are a great start to creating an intentional, personal, and compassionate celebration of love. Congratulations on your wedding!

 

 

(Photo: azon1 / iStock)

 

---

 

More Eco-Friendly Wedding Ideas

 

• 7 Eco Friendly Wedding Ideas Inspired by Earth Day
   
• Attn Couples: Have You Considered an Eco-Friendly Wedding?
   
• These compostable wedding rings gave us a fun ceremony idea…
   
• Nature Themed Marriage Certificates

 

• Simple Wedding Script with Tree Planting Unity Ceremony
   

---