If you've ever been to a wedding in Pittsburgh, chances are that you know what a cookie table is. The cookie table is a time-honored tradition that makes Pittsburgh weddings truly unique and special. If you're not familiar with cookie tables and you're planning a wedding in Pittsburgh, this post will cover everything you need to know!
What Is A Cookie Table?
A cookie table is exactly what it sounds like: it's a table filled to the brim with cookies. Cookie tables can vary in size. Some wedding receptions include one large cookie table, others will disperse cookie tables around the room to keep guests moving. Some weddings reveal the cookie table after the reception dinner, others set out the cookie table from the start of the reception.
No one is certain where the cookie table tradition originated, though some claim that Eastern European or Italian immigrants may be responsible. It's thought that cookie tables began as an alternative to the more expensive and elaborate wedding cakes traditionally served at weddings.
A traditional cookie table will have homemade cookies, produced en masse by grandmothers, aunts and family friends. For months leading up to the wedding, cookies are baked and frozen. On the wedding day, these cookies are hauled in plastic containers to the wedding reception venue, where they are proudly displayed among the wedding decorations and professional catering.
Cookie tables can be loaded up with thousands of cookies for wedding guests. To ensure that all of the cookies are gone when the wedding reception is over, guests are provided with take-home containers.
Are the Cookies Always Homemade?
Although tradition demands that the cookies must be homemade, many modern families order their cookies from professional bakers. To make the cookies as authentic as possible, many bakeries in and around Pittsburgh will bake straight from traditional family recipes supplied by the client.
Cookie Table Planning Tips
If you're planning to have a cookie table at your upcoming wedding, these tips will help!
Stay organized. Coordinate with the wedding venue ahead of time to ensure they know how many cookies you plan to display on your cookie table, and where you would like to the cookie table to be located.
Take guest health into account. Guests with allergies may need to know the ingredients in certain recipes. Put out small labels on each cookie type, and list ingredients whenever possible and appropriate.
Recruit bakers early into the process. Depending on how many cookies you need to order, you may not be able to get all of the cookies from a single baker. Finding the baker or bakers in advance will help ensure that you'll have as many cookies as you want on the day of your wedding. If you're not sure which bakers in the area can bake your wedding cookies, ask your wedding venue for recommendations and advice.
Does Your Wedding Include A Cookie Table? Work With Your Wedding Venue!
At Bella Sera, we work with couples to help them plan the wedding of a lifetime. If you're getting married in Pittsburgh and you'd like to talk to a professional wedding venue about cookie tables and other logistical concerns, we can help! To schedule a tour, contact our Wedding Coordinator Lauren at (724) 745-5575 (ext. 101).
Book your special event and let the authentic Italian flavors of Bella Sera make your special occasion one to remember.
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:30AM to 5:00PM
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