This is the final post of our vegan wedding series sponsored by WeddingWire! We used WeddingWire to help plan our wedding and keep track of favorite vendors. Now that the celebration is over, I’m excited to share our planning journey with you. Wedding photos by Hailley Howard.
Planning a vegan wedding has never been more accessible. Across the country there are vegan and vegan-friendly caterers, stylish options for bridal and groom attire, and growing awareness around compassionate celebrations. If you want a wedding that reflects your values, it’s absolutely possible to plan a beautiful event that honors all beings while staying within budget.
Planning our wedding took time and creativity, especially on a tight budget. We focused on where to spend and where to save, and made choices that felt intentional and aligned with our values. Below are the key decisions and practical tips that helped make our vegan wedding a reality.
VENUE
We chose The 1909 Topanga Canyon after searching venues on WeddingWire. The mostly outdoor property north of Los Angeles offered lush trees, a lovely interior getting-ready room, and a terraced banquet area that fit the vibe we wanted. It also fit our budget and even provided an off-season discount.
One important feature: they allowed outside catering. When planning a vegan wedding, that flexibility is invaluable. Many venues require you to use preferred vendors, and vegan options are often missing from those lists. If you want control over food and desserts, prioritize venues that permit you to bring your own caterer.
CATERING
We hired vegan chef Lauren Von Der Pool to cater our reception. Guests — most of whom were not vegan — went back for seconds and thirds. Our buffet menu included:
- Superfood Shiitake Kale Salad
- Southern Fried Crispy Chicken with Mumbo Sauce (vegan)
- Caribbean Red Bean Stew
- Crispy Potato Salad topped with microgreens
- African Street Corn with berbere spice and garlic aioli
- Coconut Braised Greens in a coconut milk miso broth
- Sweet Potato Purée with cardamom
- Vegan Chicken & Waffles
Buffet service saved money and let guests serve themselves. Be sure to understand a caterer’s pricing relative to service style and confirm any venue serving requirements in advance. If you can’t find a vegan caterer in your area, consider vegan restaurants, food trucks, or ask non-vegan caterers about past vegan experience and references. Always schedule tastings.
CAKE
Our cake was a two-tier chocolate salted caramel creation by Baby Love Sweetery. We wanted a classic look and Krysten delivered a pleated buttercream cake that tasted just as good as it looked. If you can’t find a vegan baker locally, ask non-vegan bakeries if they can make a vegan cake and request a tasting and vegan references. Bakers will often travel to deliver for the right distance, so expand your search to nearby towns.
ALCOHOL
Not all alcoholic beverages are processed vegan-friendly—some wines are fined using animal-derived products. We used Barnivore to verify vegan alcohol options. We served a California red blend, a white and rosé, Moët champagne, kombucha from Suja, and an alcoholic kombucha from Booch Craft. Bringing your own alcohol can save a lot. Our venue allowed outside alcohol as long as a licensed bartender served it; we hired bartending through Tend and brought our own beverages, cups, and napkins to save costs.
WEDDING PLANNER
We hired Michelle Newson of Onederland Events to coordinate the timeline and manage details. Since we both work full time, having a planner kept deadlines on track and handled logistics so we could enjoy the day. A planner can also help with vendor communication, timeline creation, and on-the-day coordination so you stay present instead of troubleshooting.
CLOTHING
We wanted vegan, stylish and affordable attire. Buying secondhand worked brilliantly: I found my dress on a resale site for $230 and paid $170 for alterations. The groom bought a suit secondhand as well and had it tailored. Men’s suits often contain wool, so look for cotton, linen, or synthetic blends if you want an animal-free option. Secondhand clothing is cost-effective and more sustainable.
FLORIST
Our florist, Susan from Eventive Moments, helped us enhance the venue’s natural beauty without overdoing decor. Tips that saved money and elevated the florals:
- Choose local, seasonal flowers—fresher, more affordable, and environmentally friendly.
- Plan to rework arrangements after the ceremony—move flowers from the arch and aisle to cocktail and dining areas to maximize value.
- Rent vases and vessels to cut costs and reduce waste, or use reusable containers that make good favors, like simple canning jars.
GOODIE BAGS
I didn’t plan distribution as well as I could have, so most bags went out after a pre-wedding group hike. Goodie bags are a nice touch for guests leaving the event or at pre-wedding gatherings. Ours included:
- Moisturizing lip balm from Shea Yeleen (fair trade, cruelty-free)
- Bath salts by Peau Veoutee
- Suja kombucha and green juice
- Alter Eco coconut clusters
On our wedding day it felt incredible to see months of planning come together. We created a 100% vegan celebration that matched our values while staying mindful of budget and sustainability. If you’re planning your own vegan wedding, use these tips to simplify the process and make choices that matter. If you’ve planned a vegan wedding before, I’d love to hear what worked for you.