Your wedding day should be the biggest day of your life, and you will need to make sure that you are as prepared as possible for such a momentous occasion. For example, you may be deeply involved in planning and working out the schedule for the day, thinking about how the church service may unfold or dreaming up the most stunning dress for the bride. Yet you've also got to pay good attention to the reception, figure out how many people will be there, what type of food to serve and consider dietary preferences and restrictions. As you work closely with your catering company on these all-important matters, what do you need to bear in mind?
Scale of the Issue
Some estimates say that as many as 1 in 10 people in the country may have a dietary restriction or preference of some kind, and if you are inviting them to your big day, you've got to treat this seriously. Certainly, some individuals simply prefer to eat food of a certain style or cut out others, but some people may have a medical condition or allergy that could make this a life or death situation.
Restrictions and Preferences
It pays to understand the main dietary groups and have a broad understanding of what may be involved.
Gluten
To begin with, many people are allergic to gluten, and this is a protein that is found in barley, rye and wheat. Some are just sensitive to this product and may have indigestion symptoms, while others may have coeliac disease, which is an autoimmune disorder linked to the ingestion of gluten.
Lactose
Others may have lactose intolerance, which means that they are not able to handle lactose or the sugar that is found in the product. This may manifest in uncomfortable symptoms, but it is usually relatively harmless.
Nuts
Be particularly careful if anybody says that they may have a nut allergy, as there are a variety of different types. Some can be particularly dangerous, and it's important to remember that nuts can be found in many different types of food.
Asking the Caterer
It's worth talking with your caterer as early as possible, and you should ask them about their experience. They will help you to draft up your invitations so that you include all of the various restrictions or dietary preferences and so that you can prepare as carefully as you can for the big day.