Author Says ‘I Do’ to Vegetarian Weddings in New Book
In the foyer, tables overflowed with juicy grapes, hors d’oeuvres, and tapas. A main course of Eggplant Parmesan, Mock Chicken Scaloppini Marsala, Rigatoni Mezza à la Calabrese, and signature salads tantalized the guests’ taste buds. A four-tier banana spice cake with vanilla “butter cream” filling and white icing was the grand finale. These decadent dishes were all part of Christian and Dawn Pilosi’s wedding-reception feast—and none of them contained so much as a teaspoon of meat, eggs, or dairy products.
Couples today want their weddings to reflect their values and beliefs as much as the love they share. With the ever-increasing number of people choosing a vegetarian diet, vegetarian weddings are growing in popularity.
In her new book, Making Kind Choices: Everyday Ways to Enhance Your Life Through Earth-and Animal-Friendly Living, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) President Ingrid E. Newkirk explores this trend and gives a behind-the-scenes look at every detail of the Pilosis’ vegetarian wedding. The couple, who decided to become vegetarian during a chicken dinner when they realized that they might as well be eating their beloved dog, wanted their wedding to stay true to their beliefs, as well as pleasing their guests. They accomplished both goals beautifully: “Everyone raved about the food, including some of the older people who, I’m sure, went home none the wiser that it was all vegan!” said Dawn.
Newkirk’s book provides resources and advice for planning all aspects of a vegetarian wedding, from elegant reception food and stunning cakes to nonleather shoes and nonwool tuxedos. The book also features a list of contact information and Web sites for vendors and products.