Your London Wedding - Nov/Dec 2019 (Issue 68)

From vegan food to re-usable décor, we quiz the city’s suppliers on ethical nuptials HOT TOPIC A good wedding PLANT THE IDEA We’re planning our menu and we’d like to serve vegan food both for environmental reasons and because the majority of our guests are vegan. Any tips? Arjun says: Vegan weddings are at a turning point and are becoming a fast-rising global trend; and with veganism establishing itself as a permanent lifestyle choice for people around the world, the demand for plant-based products and services has skyrocketed in the past few years. The rise of veganism means that the event industry is expected to cater for guests with such dietary preferences. Wedding planners and event organisers need to give vegan couples peace of mind and a sense of normalcy when planning their big day by being familiar with the nuances of a plant-based lifestyle. This also means that the once-typical wedding vegetarian dish consisting of oily veggies with pasta is thankfully now a thing of the past. A lot of event organisers are striving to go further to not only meet the ever-growing demand for accessible vegan food but also to create entire events that are sustainable and eco-friendly. Following in the footsteps of Princess Eugenie, brides-to-be are thinking more about the planet while planning their big day, and not only choose to go vegan or vegetarian but to be as sustainable and plastic- free as possible too. Of course, it helps that linen napkins and glass or metal straws look much chicer than their plastic counterparts. Meet the experts: Arjun Varma is CEO of Indian restaurant group and event catering business Chakra Group. Chakra Group | www.chakra.events | 020 8541 5757 REUSE, RECYCLE We’re really keen to minimise the impact of our wedding on the planet but we’re finding it tough – any suggestions? Johnny says: Ethical weddings are becoming increasingly important with couples placing emphasis on their nuptials being plastic-free and considering aspects such as food waste management and re-use of flowers. The reality is that it’s often logistically difficult to send food and flowers to those in need due to health and safety regulations, however this is an issue that’s likely to see much improvement over the coming years. That said, there are other elements of the day that are relatively simple to be re-used. One of my clients bought very expensive fabric for the tablecloths, which she then turned into curtains after the wedding. She had an excellent laundry service! Meet the experts: Johnny Roxburgh heads up eponymous luxury wedding planning service Johnny Roxburgh Designs. Johnny Roxburgh Designs | johnnyroxburgh.com | 07876 801 004 106