Cookie Tables Part 2!

Cookie Tables are ever evolving and more creative than they were even a few years ago! Thanks in part to the Pittsburgh Wedding Cookie Table Community, awareness of this growing trend has moved beyond the Pittsburgh and Youngstown regions to include other areas of the country! Yes, families want cookie tables up and down the east coast and across the country!

You can make your cookie table as elaborate or as simple as you want. Our previous post gave many helpful hints, and these are also shared in a special section in our new book, The Mindful Bride. We’d like to further expand on the helpful tips that we’ve learned in the past couple wedding seasons.

Have an organizer for your cookie table –

We don’t advise our brides to take on the responsibility of their cookie tables. They have too much to do themselves! Choose the best organizer in the family and ask them to lead the cookie bakers. They will need to keep track of who is baking what, how many dozen each family member will make, and how they will be dropped off to a central location or the reception venue. You need someone to do this and chances are, there is someone in your family ready and willing to do it!

Engage with your caterer and venue to determine their accommodations –

Can you drop off your cookies to the venue the day before the wedding? Does your venue have refrigeration space if there are certain cookies that need to be kept cool? Will the caterer tray the cookies and set up the cookie table? A venue needs to have the space to accommodate dozens and dozens of cookies. Find out in advance what their storage capabilities are, and if you can drop off cookies the day before or morning of the wedding. Some caterers charge, some don’t, for traying and setting up cookies. You can provide your own trays or some will offer theirs. If you want your storage containers and trays back, be sure and have your name on them. The easiest way is to use pieces of masking or painter’s tape and a permanent marker. Write your name on them and stick them to the bottom of your pieces.

Be Unique! Scout thrift stores and discount stores for trays or vintage plates –

If you want a unique look to your cookie table, we suggest hunting at thrift and discount stores. It is amazing the things you’ll find and the prices you’ll pay (much less than retail) for silver trays and platters! Also check the wedding flea market groups on Facebook for brides who sell their decor and props after their weddings. You’ll never know what you’ll find!

Don’t overbake –

We’ve seen miles of cookies at receptions and can’t help wondering how 100 guests will eat 1200 cookies. We know it’s hard to stop, but unless you want to be eating cookies at Christmas (you’ll have to freeze them of course) set a reasonable goal of 6 to 8 cookies per person. And the more diverse the cookie selection, the better the chances of guests eating some and taking them home!

They are not just for weddings! –

We are noticing that cookie tables are everywhere! Local events, anniversary parties, and bridal and baby showers are adding cookie tables as their dessert alternative! And why not?! Who doesn’t love multiple choice options when it comes to dessert! Embrace this idea and consider your delicious possibilities. Feel free to email us at katherinesdaughter@gmail.com if you have questions or want to share ideas!

There you have it! Our latest tips for cookie table heaven! If you have any other tips to share, please feel free to leave us a comment. We love to learn! Check out the photos of some of our favorite cookies and cookie tables!