Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

What To Do About Weddings?

DianeMu

By DianeMu
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

DianeMu Rookie
DianeMu
Posted

I have just been invited to 2 weddings. This is the first since being diagnosed. What do you guys do about it? Do I eat before and not worry about it? Should I call the place where the reception will be and ask what they normally do? Do I talk to the people who invited us. I don't know what is the proper thing to do. Any advice would be wonderful!! Thanks! Diane

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


chili Apprentice
chili
Posted

I would love to know too!! I have been invited to 1 baptism, 2 communions and 1 wedding all in the next month, and I am sooooo stressed!!! I was thinking of calling the places where the functions are being held...It is a little socially uncomfortable to sit there when everyone else is eating!! I think that i what I would do..any advice from some pros out there would be appreciated!!

11475 Apprentice
11475
Posted

Adding myself to the list - I've also found myself in this position. Normally, I'd just eat beforehand, but at a wedding, especially where the bride & groom have paid for your meal, I'd feel horrible for their sake not eating anything if there was a way to make the meal safe.

I suppose it differs in terms of how well you know the person who invited you, if they know of your restrictions, if you know others with similar restrictions will also be attending etc. Keen to hear some advice from those who have dealt with this.

Strawberry-Jam Enthusiast
Strawberry-Jam
Posted

I've only been to one wedding since my diagnosis--my cousin's--and I just brought my own food to the reception. I did have two glasses of wine there though, and a little punch. No cake of course. :(

I'm not the only one in my family with food problems--my aunt has severe migraines when she has MSG or certain other foods, so she didn't eat anything at the reception either. I did offer her some of my food (I brought cashews and gluten-free animal crackers), and though it was all food she could eat, I'm thinking she'd eaten already because she didn't have anything there except coffee.

It helps that the reception was served buffet-style so I just never got up to get in line.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

I have been to a few weddings since gluten free. Fortuantely they were all cake and punch or appetizer type weddings and not sit down catered dinners. I just ate before I went, took my own snacks in my purse and planned a special treat for afterward if neccessary. Beyond that, I tried to always have a drink in my hand or be dancing/moving around the room greeting people so no one would notice I wasn't eating.

If it were a sit down plated dinner I think the best way to handle it is to find out from realtives or close friends of the bride who the caterer is and call to talk to them to see if they can accomodate you with a gluten free meal. Then also take food for back up in case they mess up/forget. I would not bother the bride about it unless they are a close relative or you are in the wedidng party or something. She has enough to worry about without calling the caterer for one guest's special dietary requirements.

bigbird16 Apprentice
bigbird16
Posted

I've only been to one wedding, as a bridesmaid for my best friend, since going gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free. I just brought my own little tucker bag filled a Larabar for a snack before the wedding, an extra for the bride if she needed food, Hormel chili for dinner, and a homemade me-friendly muffin with a travel packet of honey for dessert. I just opened up my food and enjoyed along with everyone else. (That was a pretty picture--all decked out like a movie star in a red gown in a fancy room, crackin' open a can of chili. lol) The smell of the muffin made some others jealous, though I heard the cake was divine. It was a destination wedding, so my suitcase was stuffed with good food. That worked out great--since I ate the food, I had rom to take clothes and shoes home for the bride and groom.

My 20th high school reunion is this summer, and if I go, I plan to do the same--simply bring my own and enjoy the night. For lunches during work meetings when we're out of town, I bring my own and set up my little meal like it's nothing. For recption/party sorts of things, I usually either eat before and keep my glass of water or juice full or bring a few me-friendly snacks. I'm going to eat if I'm hungry, by gum. Oh, we're going to Bismarck, ND in a few weeks for work, and I hear that the food at the Civic Center is atrocious. I just laughed during our staff meeting when this was mentioned, because I knew I would be getting fabulous food from home. I may even bring my electric skillet for this trip to make hot breakfasts and dinners.

cahill Collaborator
cahill
Posted

I have a wedding coming up in July . My daughter ( whom is gluten free) is getting married . It is catered and we have worked out a pretty good menu , but I am still worried about CC. She and I will eat before , take snacks from home for her and my self. The wedding cake will be gluten free.I am a little concerned about CC But my daughter knows the cake maker personally and has really stressed the CC Issue with her :D

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Tigercat17 Enthusiast
Tigercat17
Posted

I've been to a few wedding since going gluten free. I don't take any chances when it comes to eating at weddings. There's just too busy and the risk for CC is way too high. It's just not worth it to me.

I usually treat myself to one of my favorite meals like a good steak for lunch. That way I don't have "food envy" during the wedding. B) Then I'll bring a sandwich, a salad or a couple a Lara Bars for a snack during the wedding dinner. Both times I just brought a little cooler. Most of my friends know why I can't eat the wedding dinner, so it's not a problem at all. Sometimes I do have to explain things, but I try not to feel sorry for myself. And it's a good opportunity to bring awareness to celiac disease. You never know who has this disease and they aren't diagnosed.

Just enjoy the company, Dance a lot, have fun and make sure you have a glass of wine! ;)

jebby Enthusiast
jebby
Posted

I have been to two weddings since being diagnosed last year. When I sent in the RSVP card I requested a gluten free dinner (both weddings were for close friends of mine who already knew that I'm a Celiac). At the first wedding there were actually 5 or 6 guests who were gluten free and at the second there were 2 or 3 of us. My plates had slightly different food and both times I had a different dessert, but at both weddings the caterers were great about making sure that I could eat safely. My mom is also a Celiac and has been gluten free at tons of weddings. If you know the bride or groom well enough, then I'd recommend having them see if their caterers can accomodate you.

Jungle Rookie
Jungle
Posted

When you RSVP you could write a quick note asking if it is not too much bother could they provide a gluten free meal but to also say if it is a problem you'd be happy to bring your own and just to let you know so you could be prepared.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

You can ask the couple getting married for the caterer's name and talk to them.

I always just brought my own food.

Marilyn R Community Regular
Marilyn R
Posted

When you RSVP you could write a quick note asking if it is not too much bother could they provide a gluten free meal but to also say if it is a problem you'd be happy to bring your own and just to let you know so you could be prepared.

I was a catering manager at an upscale hotel chain for years. Vegatarians and Kosher Jews request special meals routinely, and without a second thought. Please feel free to write "Gluten Free" on your RSVP without guilt.

If you can talk to the caterer ahead of time, I'd encourage you to do so. If you aren't comfortable with their expertise (many caterers are getting pretty savvy out of necessity), you could always ask for a plain uncut sweet potato or baked potato and a piece of plain broiled fish on a bed of greens with lemon.

The bride and her parents want the wedding to be perfect for everyone. It's fine if you prefer to take your own food, too!

I've only been to one wedding since going gluten-free and it was wonderful. Mine happened to be a buffet. I joked with the carver at the carving station and asked if he knew where his knife's been today. When I was satisfied with his answer, I had a nice helping of beef (he knew how it had been prepared), and found one or two other things that ended up being perfectly safe. (Other than a little hangover, I felt great the next day!)

I hope you have a wonderful time at the wedding! :)

DianeMu Rookie
DianeMu
Posted
  • Author

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice. You guys are great!!!! I think I will call the cater, and maybe throw some snacks in my bag just in case!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. chrisinpa
      - chrisinpa commented on Scott Adams's article in Skin Problems and Celiac Disease
      2

      Celiac Disease and Skin Disorders: Exploring a Genetic Connection

      Maybe they can attribute certain skin conditions to either being susceptible to getting Celiac......or the other way around....but I have to ask if certain people are prone to Celiac because of genetics and some people aren't. It's kind of the same thing as what came first.....the chicken or the egg.?
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      3

      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

      @xxnonamexx, There's labeling on those Trubar gluten free high fiber protein bars that say: "Manufactured in a facility that also processes peanuts, milk, soy, fish, WHEAT, sesame, and other tree nuts." You may want to avoid products made in shared facilities. If you are trying to add more fiber to your diet to ease constipation, considering...
    3. trents
      - trents replied to sha1091a's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Issues before diagnosis

      Welcome to celiac.com @sha1091a! Your experience is a very common one. Celiac disease is one the most underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed medical conditions out there. The reasons are numerous. One key one is that its symptoms mimic so many other diseases. Another is ignorance on the part of the medical community with regard to the range of symptoms that celiac...
    4. trents
      - trents commented on Jefferson Adams's article in Other Diseases and Disorders Associated with Celiac Disease
      6

      Celiac Disease Patients Face Higher Risk of Systemic Lupus

      What kind of practitioner did the blood test? Was this a medical doctor, a naturopathic doctor, a GI doc? I would certainly follow up with them and ask why they advised you not to eat red meat. I mean, it could be something like they, themselves, are a vegetarian and give that advice to everyone. Have you had an endoscopy with biopsy of the small bowel...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to EndlessSummer's topic in Food Intolerance & Leaky Gut
      2

      Dizziness after eating green beans?

      @EndlessSummer, You said you had an allergy to trees. People with Birch Allergy can react to green beans (in the legume family) and other vegetables, as well as some fruits. Look into Oral Allergy Syndrome which can occur at a higher rate in Celiac Disease. Switching to a low histamine diet for a while can give your body time to rid itself of...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,692
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Ali Zaib
    Newest Member
    Ali Zaib
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      Issues before diagnosis

      By cristiana · Posted

      I agree, it so often overlooked! I live in the UK and I have often wondered why doctors are so reluctant to at least exclude it - my thoughts are perhaps the particular tests are expensive for the NHS, so therefore saved for people with 'obvious' symptoms.  I was diagnosed in 2013 and was told immediately that my parents, sibling and children should be checked.  My parents' GP to this day has not put forward my father for testing, and my mother was never tested in her lifetime, despite the fact that they both have some interesting symptoms/family history that reflect they might have coeliac disease (Dad - extreme bloating, and his Mum clearly had autoimmune issues, albeit undiagnosed as such; Mum - osteoporosis, anxiety).  I am now my father' legal guardian and suspecting my parents may have forgotten to ask their GP for a test (which is entirely possible!) I put it to his last GP that he ought to be tested.  He looked at Dad's blood results and purely because he was not anemic said he wasn't a coeliac. (This was the same GP who said Dad didn't have dementia, when months before one of his colleagues suspected it and told me Dad must be diagnosed).  Hopefully as the awareness of Coeliac Disease spreads among the general public, people will be able to advocate for themselves.  It is hard because in the UK the NHS is very stretched, but the fallout from not being diagnosed in a timely fashion will only cost the NHS more money. Interestingly, a complete aside, I met someone recently whose son was diagnosed (I think she said he was 8).  At a recent birthday party with 8 guests, 4 boys out of the 8 had received diagnosis of Coeliac Disease, which is an astounding statistic  As far as I know, though, they had all had obvious gastric symptoms leading to their NHS diagnosis.  In my own case I had  acute onset anxiety, hypnopompic hallucinations (vivid hallucinations upon waking),  odd liver function, anxiety, headaches, ulcers and low iron but it wasn't until the gastric symptoms hit me that a GP thought to do coeliac testing, and my numbers were through the roof.  As @trents says, by the grace of God I was diagnosed, and the diet has pretty much dealt with most of those symptoms.  I have much to be grateful for. Cristiana
    • knitty kitty
      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @xxnonamexx, There's labeling on those Trubar gluten free high fiber protein bars that say: "Manufactured in a facility that also processes peanuts, milk, soy, fish, WHEAT, sesame, and other tree nuts." You may want to avoid products made in shared facilities.   If you are trying to add more fiber to your diet to ease constipation, considering eating more leafy green vegetables and cruciferous vegetables.  Not only are these high in fiber, they also are good sources of magnesium.  Many newly diagnosed are low in magnesium and B vitamins and suffer with constipation.  Thiamine Vitamin B1 and magnesium work together.  Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine has been shown to improve intestinal health.  Thiamine and magnesium are important to gastrointestinal health and function.  
    • trents
      Issues before diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to celiac.com @sha1091a! Your experience is a very common one. Celiac disease is one the most underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed medical conditions out there. The reasons are numerous. One key one is that its symptoms mimic so many other diseases. Another is ignorance on the part of the medical community with regard to the range of symptoms that celiac disease can produce. Clinicians often are only looking for classic GI symptoms and are unaware of the many other subsystems in the body that can be damaged before classic GI symptoms manifest, if ever they do. Many celiacs are of the "silent" variety and have few if any GI symptoms while all along, damage is being done to their bodies. In my case, the original symptoms were elevated liver enzymes which I endured for 13 years before I was diagnosed with celiac disease. By the grace of God my liver was not destroyed. It is common for the onset of the disease to happen 10 years before you ever get a diagnosis. Thankfully, that is slowly changing as there has developed more awareness on the part of both the medical community and the public in the past 20 years or so. Blessings!
    • knitty kitty
      Dizziness after eating green beans?

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @EndlessSummer, You said you had an allergy to trees.  People with Birch Allergy can react to green beans (in the legume family) and other vegetables, as well as some fruits.  Look into Oral Allergy Syndrome which can occur at a higher rate in Celiac Disease.   Switching to a low histamine diet for a while can give your body time to rid itself of the extra histamine the body makes with Celiac disease and histamine consumed in the diet.   Vitamin C and the eight B vitamins are needed to help the body clear histamine.   Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?
    • sha1091a
      Issues before diagnosis

      By sha1091a · Posted

      I found out the age of 68 that I am a celiac. When I was 16, I had my gallbladder removed when I was 24 I was put on a medication because I was told I had fibromyalgia.   going to Doctor’s over many years, not one of them thought to check me out for celiac disease. I am aware that it only started being tested by bloodwork I believe in the late 90s, but still I’m kind of confused why my gallbladder my joint pain flatulent that I complained of constantly was totally ignored. Is it not something that is taught to our medical system? It wasn’t a Doctor Who asked for the test to be done. I asked for it because of something I had read and my test came back positive. My number was quite high.Are there other people out here that had this kind of problems and they were ignored? 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.