Gluten-Free Wedding Catering in St. Louis | Celiac-Friendly Options
Planning a wedding menu where one or more on your guest list has celiac disease or other food restrictions?
The most important thing to know is the difference between a menu that offers gluten-free options and a kitchen that can safely accommodate someone with celiac disease.
You don’t need to find one wedding caterer that can accommodate every dietary restriction for every guest. One of the easiest solutions is to choose the wedding catering you love and then supplement it with a dedicated gluten-free meal or specialty desserts.
Gluten-Free Does Not Always Mean Celiac-Safe
This is probably the most important thing to know when researching gluten-free wedding catering.
Gluten-Free vs. Celiac-Safe
A caterer can offer gluten-free menu items without operating a completely gluten-free kitchen. For someone with celiac disease, that’s an important distinction.
Cross-contact can happen through shared fryers, preparation surfaces, cutting boards, utensils, serving utensils, sauces and other kitchen equipment. So if you’re searching for celiac-friendly wedding catering in St. Louis, don’t stop at asking:
“Do you offer gluten-free options?”
Instead, ask:
“I have a guest with celiac disease. Can you prepare and serve their meal in a way that prevents cross-contact with gluten?”
The answer will tell you much more than a GF symbol on a menu.
St. Louis Gluten-Free Wedding Catering
Lona's Lil Eats:
serves a multitude of food restrictive diets
Lona’s Lil Eats is one of the St. Louis options I would put high on the list when you need a substantial gluten-free, dairy-free, meatless, or vegan option. You can handle every dietary restriction with one service.
Lona’s is known for its giant rice-paper wraps and Asian-inspired food, with a menu that can work particularly well for guests with different dietary needs. Their menu includes rice-paper wraps, rice bowls, proteins, vegetables, salads and other naturally gluten-free-friendly components. You don’t necessarily have to use them as your entire wedding caterer.
You could have your primary caterer handle dinner for the majority of your guests and bring in Lona’s Lil Eats specifically to provide a separate meal for guests with dietary restrictions, particularly gluten-free and celiac friendly. A really practical solution.
Instead of asking your traditional caterer to completely redesign their kitchen procedures for 1-5 guests, you can create a dedicated meal from a restaurant that is already experienced with dietary restrictions.
Lona’s can also be a fun option if you want something less traditional for cocktail hour, a late-night snack, or a second food option.
Yemanja Brasil:
Yemanja Brasil the Brazilian restaurant in Benton Park has several dishes that are naturally gluten-free, and gluten-free items are identified on its menu.
Brazilian cuisine can be particularly nice for a gluten-free wedding because dishes built around meat, rice, beans and vegetables can provide plenty of satisfying options without relying heavily on bread or pasta.
That said, Yemanja Brasil is not necessarily celiac safe. Staff is generally knowledgeable, though cross-contamination is possible as it is not a 100% dedicated GF facility. I would not automatically consider a menu item celiac-safe simply because it is labeled gluten-free.
For a guest who simply avoids gluten, it’s a great option. For someone who needs strict celiac-safe preparation it may not be.
Anthonino's on The Hill:
If you’re looking for classic St. Louis Italian and Greek food, Anthonino’s Taverna is worth considering. They offer gluten-free options, which can make them a convenient choice for couples who simply need to accommodate guests who avoid gluten.
However, I would ask more questions if your guest has celiac disease. Having gluten-free menu items does not mean celiac-safe kitchen. And if you need both gluten-free and dairy-free, Antonino’s may not be the best fit. If you have a guest with celiac disease, ask specifically how they prepare and serve the gluten-free meal.
Anthoninios has incredible food and they cater events and weddings. You could always book them while supplementing with Leonas Lil Eats for the limited guests who have strict dietary restrictions.
Gluten-Free Wedding Desserts in St. Louis
Mochi Monster Cookies:
Mochi Monster Cookies A dedicated gluten free cottage bakery located in the heart of St. Louis, MO (Holly Hills) and operates from a dedicated gluten-free kitchen.
Sucrose Bakery:
Sucrose Bakery in St. Charles is another option for gluten-free wedding desserts. Convenient for couples getting married in STC.
Their bakery case includes gluten-free selections, including items such as Boca Negra, almond heart cake, bouchon and macarons. Availability can change, so contact them directly about current offerings and wedding orders.
Their mission is to provide superior artisan baked goods made with local, seasonal and natural ingredients. Influenced by a traditional European way of life, the Slow Food movement, and local growers. “Great tasting and healthy food is more than a trend for us, it’s a passion and a way of life.”
Kriss Miss Real Food Sweets:
Kriss Miss Real Food Sweets is a local option to investigate if you’re looking for specialty desserts that can accommodate many dietary restrictions and caters to those who are generally health conscious.
“Gassel prides herself in offering baked goods that are not only delicious but also vegan and allergen-friendly, so those with a wide range of dietary needs can enjoy a sweet treat without worry. Every one of her items is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free, dairy-free, and free of artificial flavors and dyes—the reason she began Kris Miss in the first place.” — STL Magazine
Questions to Ask Your Wedding Caterer About Celiac Disease:
- "Do you have gluten-free menu options, would these dishes be considered celiac safe also?"
- "Do you prepare gluten-free meals separately from gluten-containing foods?"
- "Do you use shared fryers?"
- "Do you use separate utensils and preparation surfaces?"
- "Can you accommodate both gluten-free and dairy-free?"
- "Can the gluten-free meal be individually prepared and clearly identified?"
- "How do you prevent cross-contact during wedding service?"
These questions are fairly redundant, yes. The redundancy may help you see how genuine the answers you are receiving are. (I’ve been there, and unfortunately, staff at some places of business will blatantly lie to you. Whatever their motive or personally held beliefs, who knows.)
what the hell do I feed my one celiac guest?
6 Steps To Accommodate a Gluten-Free Guest at Your Wedding
Start with the food you actually want to serve your guests.
Give them an accurate guest count and explain exactly what restrictions you're accommodating.
Don't assume "gluten-free" means "safe for someone with celiac disease."
If your caterer's kitchen isn't equipped for strict gluten-free preparation, consider bringing in a separate meal from a restaurant such as Lona's Lil Eats.
A gluten-free bakery or dessert vendor can provide a safe and delicious option that everyone on the guest list may enjoy.
Your caterer and wedding coordinator should know exactly which meal is intended for the guest with celiac disease and how it should be handled during service.
Planning a St. Louis wedding? Your photographer should be thinking about the details too. From the first look to the dinner table, I photograph the people, details and moments that you’ll cherish.
Silver & Sage Photos | St. Louis Wedding & Portrait Photographer
what the hell do I feed my one celiac guest?
FAQ: Gluten-Free Wedding Catering in St. Louis
Local options that are well loved:
- Mochi Monster Cookies in South City
- Sucrose Bakery in St. Charles,
- Kriss Miss Real Food Sweets located in Lake St. Louis
When you need to feed a guest with celiac disease, Leona's Lil Eats is a great option to supplement your choice wedding caterer for those with food restrictions. Alway ask about cross-contact procedures rather than relying solely on a gluten-free menu label.
There isn't one answer for every wedding. A dedicated gluten-free caterer or restaurant can provide additional peace of mind, while another practical option is to supplement your primary wedding caterer with a separately prepared meal.
Supplement your wedding catering with a meal option from leona's lil eats to serve all those with food restrictions.
Potentially, yes. Discuss it with your wedding venue and explain the situation. Some venues have outside-catering policies. A supplemental meal from a restaurant such as Lona's Lil Eats may be a necessary solution.
Not necessarily. If only a small number of guests require gluten-free food, it may be more practical to keep your primary menu intact and provide a separate, carefully prepared gluten-free meal. You can make the desserts entirely gluten free for simplicities sake.
The Easiest Solution: Supplement Your Wedding Catering
