Vegan Weddings 2011: Elizabeth Cook & Alap Shah

Elizabeth Cook & Alap Shah
Itasca, Ill.

Guests: 300
Location: The Westin Chicago Northwest
Cost: $40,000

Their story: Although their romance was sparked at a vegan potluck, it took four months for shy Elizabeth to muster the courage to send Alap a Facebook message. Finally, their shared love of animals stepped in when Alap accompanied Elizabeth to a vegan benefit for Mercy for Animals on the day before Valentine’s Day. It didn’t take long for them to realize this was the real deal, and Alap popped the question during a weekend getaway to one of their favorite vegan-friendly cities, Portland, Ore. In the months to come, the couple worked with their families to create a wedding that would honor their dedication to animals and integrate Alap’s Jain heritage throughout the weekend-long celebration.

The Menu

Appetizers
Fresh spring rolls filled with cabbage, ginger, cucumber, sprouts, and peppers in a sweet and sour sauce
Indian-spiced hummus with fresh pita
Vegetable crudités with ranch dressing
Indian samosas
Spicy fried banana vegetable patties

Entrées
Corn and pepper salad
Green beans with toasted almonds
Fried vegetable dumplings in a creamy curry sauce
Indian-spiced okra
Paratha (thick hearty Indian flatbread)
Dal-Makhani (spiced lentils)
Rice Pulao with vegetables
Papadum (lentil wafers)
Spicy pickled mangoes

Desserts
Fruit popsicles made with strawberry, papaya, honeydew, cantaloupe, grape, and pineapple
Assorted Indian sweets and candy
Baklava
Chocolate chip cookies
Banana walnut brownies

Wedding Cake
Chocolate cake with strawberry filling and chocolate frosting, vanilla-hazelnut cake with chocolate frosting, and lemon cake with raspberry filling and raspberry frosting

For a complete list of caterers, dressmakers, and photographers from each of this year’s wedding couples, visit our 2011 Guide to Vegan Weddings. Want more vegan weddings? Purchase our special wedding issue featuring Elizabeth and Alap’s vegan wedding! Check out all of our 2011 vegan wedding couples here, 2019 couples here, 2018 couples here, 2017 couples here, our 2016 couples here, our 2014 couples here, and our 2012 couples here!