There are many ways to serve dinner at a wedding; the trick is choosing the right style for your wedding. From formal services, such as plated dinners, to casual grab and go meals like buffet styles, each bride has an idea of what she wants. However, do you know all the pros and cons of the different types of food service?  Let’s break them down for you.

Plated dinners are the most formal way to serve dinner to your guests. Those attending will inform the bride before the wedding as to which meal they would like for dinner. Keep in mind, since each person is receiving his or her own plate, it will take a longer period of time for dinner. Extra wait staff will also have to be hired to deliver the dishes. Plated dinners will limit the food choices your guests may have. The bride knows her family and friends, so if you know you may have guests who are picky eaters, this may not be the best option for you.

Buffets are very relaxed and are perfect for backyard and rustic setting weddings. This casual dinner service allows guests to get up and choose the various foods you have picked and the amount of food they would like on their plate. Since guests are serving themselves, less wait staff is needed, making buffets a less expensive option. Having a buffet can get messy with lines so if you choose buffet style, be sure to have enough space for lines of guests.

Family style is similar to buffets, having a relaxed feel as well. Large platters of food are brought to each table so guests may choose how much of each dish they would like. With the plates passed, this gives your guests time to interact with the other people at the table, especially if they do not know them. Family style is one of the most preferred food services. It is more formal than a buffet, less formal than plated and also less expensive.

Food stations are a nice choice for picky eaters. A variety of foods in one central location allows guests to pick and choose what they would like to eat. Once again, guests are up and moving allowing time to mingle with one another. Stations do allow for an assortment of dinner choices, but this is one of the most expensive food service options. Wait staff needs to operate each station, and there must be ample space to hold all food stations and people waiting in line for each station.

Ma Maison, located in the charming Texas Hill Country, will surely delight you in its French wonder.  From three outdoor ceremony sites to the Great Hall, you will fall in love with this wedding venue. Schedule a tour so you can see how you will be able to dine like a king and queen on your wedding day.