In the next 120 days, we will begin blogging more regularly to prepare you for the celebrations surrounding our upcoming nuptials. So where else to start but with this thing Pittsburghers love – a wedding cookie table – written by the person who co-writes this blog and loves the Steel City ; )
A cookie table is basically a number of long tables that feature a variety of cookies that the bride’s family bakes in anticipation of the wedding. The cookies are displayed on trays and on dishes of different heights. It’s common to see about 2,000 cookies at a wedding for around 200 people. The tables are typically inside the reception room along a wall. This cookie table to the right is from good friend Pam’s Wedding (we go back to kindergarten) As a bridesmaid, I helped tray (and eat) these cookies the day before the wedding!
According to Wikipedia, the cookie table tradition began in Youngstown, Ohio – not too far from Pittsburgh. Some sources say that during the Depression, women in the bride’s family made cookies because they were cheaper than an elaborate wedding cake.
Just like Pittsburgh dominates football and hockey, this cookie phenomenon is sweeping the nation. The New York Times profiled the Pittsburgh Cookie Tradition in December of 2009. I’ve had some Chicago brides ask me to explain the tradition (Hi Courtney!) and want to incorporate it in their wedding. I told them to rev up their Kitchen Aid and get their family baking now!
You can read the full New York Times Story, “The Wedding? I’m Here for the Cookies” by clicking this link.
Here’s some things the New Jerseyians need to know before you approach the cookie table:
• There will be an enormous selection of cookies. This is your opportunity to pig out. If you want away from the cookie table(s) at our wedding with a plate of cookies, you didn’t do a good job. You need to fill up at least two boxes to take home.
• If you eat a dozen cookies at the wedding, no one will judge you. They will pat you on the back and tell you to eat more.
• If there is a cookie you are obsessed with, we can get you the recipe. Pittsburgh people share.
• There is an art to tray-ing the cookies. When you meet one of the bakers at the wedding, tell her that not only were the cookies unbelievable, but that you adored the display. That will score you some huge bonus points with the Blumling ladies (my mom’s sisters).
• For all those single people house, use the cookie table as a pick up line. It’s much more “sweeter” than saying “Let’s go do a shot.”
• Yes, we will still have a cake. In fact, the hotel has an exclusive contract with a prestigious Pittsburgh bakery. But if you don’t see anyone from Pittsburgh eating the cake, it’s because they are saving room for the cookies.
If you have a special recipe or cookie that you would like to feature, please let us know and we can certainly arrange for your signature cookie to be added to the spread!
Finally, I come from a family of bakers. When I got engaged, they really didn’t care about the proposal story or the ring or where the wedding will be. My mom and her four sisters drafted a list of cookies and assigned flavors. This cookie meeting took place in July 2009 – almost a year before the wedding. The baking began around Christmas and if you are wondering where all the cookies are being stored…my mom received a new freezer as a holiday gift to house her creations. As you will see below, the baking has begun!
(Sources: Wikipedia, New York Times; Photos: Pam’s Cookies from Bella Pictures)
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