Celiac MOH

Navigating a Wedding Weekend as a Celiac Maid of Honor: What I Did and What I’d Do Differently

Being a maid of honor is no small feat under any circumstances, but when you're also navigating the challenges of celiac disease, it can add a whole new layer of stress. My sister’s wedding was an event I had been looking forward to for years, and as much as I wanted to fully immerse myself in the celebrations, I also had to stay mindful of my dietary needs. There was absolutely no room for getting sick—not when I was entrusted with such an important role.

Here’s a breakdown of how I handled the weekend, what worked, and what I’d do differently next time.

Going In: The Stakes Were High

From the start, I knew I had to be proactive about my food situation. I was not going to eat anything provided at the wedding that made me feel even the slightest bit unsafe. The stakes were simply too high. I wasn’t about to risk getting sick on the day my big sister had waited so long for—and I knew that if I didn’t have total control over what I was eating, I might be putting myself at risk.

With that in mind, I packed carefully for the entire weekend, bringing my own meals and snacks to ensure I could enjoy the festivities without worrying about contamination or getting glutened. My plan was simple: bring the food that I knew would keep me safe, and make sure it was ready to go when I needed it.

The Pre-Wedding Prep: Packing Safe Food

Since we were headed to a venue in the Hudson Valley—a place where I wasn’t familiar with the food scene or the availability of gluten-free options—I decided to get ahead of the game. I placed an order from *Modern Bread & Bagel*, my favorite gluten-free bakery, and stocked up on a variety of treats and essentials, from bagels to sweets. I also ordered a gluten-free breakfast burrito for the drive up on Friday afternoon, so I wouldn’t have to worry about finding food on the road.

This was one of the best decisions I made. The burrito was filling, delicious, and kept me satisfied during the long drive. Knowing I had my food prepared ahead of time made me feel much more at ease about the weekend. I felt confident I could focus on the wedding, my sister, and my maid-of-honor duties, without stressing about what I could or couldn’t eat.

The Cocktail Hour: Limited Options, Backup Plan

When I arrived at the venue, I was ready to enjoy the evening, but the food situation at the cocktail hour wasn’t quite as reassuring. The spread was buffet-style, but there were very few options I felt comfortable eating. The risk of cross-contamination was high, and I didn’t want to take any chances. As I had anticipated, I ended up eating the other half of my breakfast burrito, which I’d packed for just such a situation.

It was a bit frustrating to feel left out of the socializing around food, but I was okay with it. I had brought my own food to ensure I’d be safe, and that was more important than anything else. I also had some gluten-free sweets from *Modern Bread & Bagel* to enjoy after the cocktail hour, which helped me feel included in the celebrations.

The Wedding Day: A Busy Maid of Honor

The big day arrived, and as expected, it was a whirlwind. There were so many things to do—helping my sister get ready, assisting with last-minute preparations, and making sure everything went off without a hitch. But amidst all the excitement, I ran into a challenge I hadn’t fully prepared for: time management around meals.

For breakfast, I had a bagel from *Modern Bread & Bagel*, which was a perfect start to the day. I joined the bridal party as they enjoyed their bagels, feeling confident that I had a safe, satisfying option. But then things started to get busy. As the hours flew by, I got caught up in my responsibilities. I was focused on everything from coordinating the bridesmaids to making sure my sister was relaxed and having fun. In the midst of all that, I forgot to eat.

I knew I wasn’t going to eat anything from the provided catering that could even remotely feel unsafe, so I didn’t want to take any chances. But because I didn’t have any other food options lined up, I ended up not eating for hours, which left me feeling lightheaded and exhausted by the time the ceremony started.

As I walked my sister down the aisle, I was running on fumes. Afterward, during the cocktail hour, I tried to socialize, but I was already feeling the effects of not having eaten. I grabbed a few bites of a second bagel I’d brought, but by this point, I wasn’t feeling great. I had already been dealing with some SIBO symptoms, and the stress of the day wasn’t helping.

The Reception: A Struggle to Keep Up

By the time we got to the reception, my body was definitely not in a great place. I felt off, I was lightheaded, and I wasn’t really hungry. But I had prepared a second bagel for the day, and by the time the after-party rolled around, I ended up eating it. At that point, I was just trying to make it through the night. I didn’t want to overdo it, but I needed something to get me through.

That last bagel helped, but by then, my stomach was already unhappy from the irregular eating schedule. The rest of the night wasn’t much better—by breakfast the next day, I was feeling too sick to even attempt the açaí bowl that was sitting in front of me. The entire experience left me feeling drained and nauseous, and I paid for the missteps in meal timing for the next couple of days.

What I Would Do Differently

Looking back, I definitely could have done a few things differently to make sure I wasn’t running on empty all day.

1. Pack Even More Convenient Snacks: While I did bring a good variety of gluten-free food, I would have packed more small, easy-to-grab snacks for the busy moments. Protein bars, portable fruit, or even pre-made meals would’ve been helpful for times when I just couldn’t get to a proper meal.

2. Set Timely Reminders to Eat: It’s so easy to forget about eating when you're caught up in wedding-day excitement. If I could go back, I would set reminders on my phone to eat at regular intervals, even if it was just a snack. That way, I wouldn’t have ended up starving and lightheaded by the time the ceremony came around.

3. Pre-Plan Meal Options for the Reception: Although I knew I wouldn’t be eating the wedding dinner, I didn’t fully plan for a satisfying meal for the reception. I could have brought something a little more substantial or prepared a full meal to eat on my own. A packed dinner that I could eat in the bridal suite or during a break would’ve helped.

4. Let Go of Perfection: It’s easy to feel like you should be doing everything perfectly, but sometimes, you just need to cut yourself some slack. I was doing my best to stay safe, and the truth is, things didn’t go as planned—but that’s okay. I wasn’t perfect, but I was trying my hardest, and that’s what mattered most.

Final Thoughts

Being a maid of honor is a big responsibility, but being a celiac on your sister’s wedding day can make it even more complicated. I learned a lot through this experience—about food, about managing expectations, and about showing myself compassion when things don’t go perfectly. Despite the challenges, I’m grateful for the experience and wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The key takeaway? Sometimes, even with all the planning in the world, things won’t go exactly as you expect. And that’s okay. What’s most important is that you do your best, you stay safe, and you show up for the people you love.

If you're planning a wedding and navigating dietary restrictions, know that you're not alone. With a little extra planning and some flexibility, you can enjoy the day without letting food stand in the way of the celebrations.