From family style and buffet to plated, passed and more, how do you choose the right type of food service for your event center wedding? Use these tips to help.

event center in McAllen, TX

The most important part of your wedding at an event center in McAllen, TX is the ceremony, you and your loved ones coming together to honor and celebrate your new union. However, many people would agree that the second most important part of any wedding is the food. What you serve and how you serve it have a big impact on your guest’s enjoyment, making food a big pressure point in wedding planning .  

How do you choose the right food? Start by deciding how you want the food to be served. The most common options are plated, buffet, food stations, cocktail, and family style. 
  • Plated Dinners – The most traditional wedding food style, plated dinners are when the guests are served individual, pre-portioned plates for each course. Generally, guests select their preferred main course dish from a list of options in advance the wedding. There are many good things about plated dinners, such as that they limit food waste, and they have a fancier feel. However, plated dinners can cost more than other styles as they take more staff to make and serve. They also take more planning time as you have to carefully place each guest to make sure they get the food they ordered. 
  • Buffet – Usually served on long tables, buffets offer up many food options for guests to self-select, from meat and fish to pastas, salads, and other sides. Buffets are usually popular for weddings with large numbers of guests or those that want to offer lots of different food options. Buffets are great as they cater to many different tastes and are generally cost effective. However, buffet lines can get very long, slowing down the evening. 
  • Food Stations – Similar to buffets, food stations are placed all around the reception hall with different sections at each one. You can have a pasta, raw bar, carving, or dessert stations, or any other kind you can think of. People tend to enjoy the ability to mingle and select their own food, and the number of stations keep lines short. However, stations require a large space and lots of staff. 
  • Family Style – Family style is a sit-down dinner in which waiters bring large portions of food to the table and guests serve themselves like they would at home. This allows people to select the food they want and the quantity they want, and also makes the dinner feel more social and less formal. However, you do need large tables to accommodate big serving platters, and family style can be expensive. 
  • Cocktail Style – Instead of a sit-down meal, you can have small, passed hot and cold items served on platters by waiters. This lends itself to small venues and more intimate weddings, but guests might be disappointed if they were expecting a big meal.

Memorial Event Center, a McAllen, TX event center, offers a range of dining styles to suit your needs and tastes. Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for your big day. 

event center in Mission, TX
By Memorial Event Center July 21, 2025
Discover expert tips from planners to elevate your events. Our event center in Mission, TX, helps you create unforgettable corporate experiences.
event center near McAllen, TX
By Memorial Event Center July 14, 2025
Book your next big celebration at a modern event center near McAllen, TX, with flexible spaces and expert planners to bring your vision to life.
event center in Mcallen, TX
By Memorial Event Center July 7, 2025
Discover an exceptional event center in Mcallen, TX, offering elegant spaces and custom services for truly unforgettable celebrations.
event center near Alamo, TX
By Memorial Event Center June 23, 2025
Discover why courtyard venues are trending. Book an event center near Alamo, TX for a beautiful, open-air celebration your guests will love.
event center near Mission, TX
By Memorial Event Center June 20, 2025
Discover how our event center near Mission, TX transforms celebrations with expert planning and unforgettable music experiences.
event center in Alamo, TX
By Memorial Event Center June 16, 2025
Plan your big day at the best event center in Alamo, TX. Discover how expert planning turns wedding dreams into unforgettable celebrations.
event center near Mission, TX
By Memorial Event Center June 9, 2025
Discover the key to unforgettable celebrations at our event center near Mission, TX. Elevate your special occasion with elegance and expert planning.
event center in Mission, TX
By Memorial Event Center June 2, 2025
Live bands bring energy to any event. Discover how our event center in Mission, TX helps create unforgettable experiences with live music.
event center near Mcallen, TX
By Memorial Event Center May 26, 2025
Book party bus rentals with an event center near Mcallen, TX. Create unforgettable memories with music, lights, and a ride to remember.
event center in Mcallen, TX
By Memorial Event Center May 19, 2025
Host flawless events with expert planners at an event center in Mcallen, TX. Elegant spaces and custom services for weddings, parties, and more.