Wedding Cookie Table Tips!
Planning your wedding cookie table? Large and small, we’ve seen them all! We’d love to give you some helpful hints to make your cookie table the Best Ever! Here are the most commonly asked questions.
How many cookies should we bake per guest?
When you have a solid idea of your RSVP count, we suggest 6 – 8 cookies per person. In other words, if you are expecting 100 guests, 100 x 6 is 600, divided by 12 is 50 dozen cookies. More than that is fine, but make sure you save your transport containers as you may be taking some home.
What types of cookies are most popular?
In our opinion, caramel cups, buckeyes, and lady locks are most popular. Thumbprints and mini cupcakes, with the icing color matching the main wedding color if possible, are also a hit. Fruit filled cookies, like Kolaches, are also a wonderful sight.
Should we open the cookie table from cocktail hour on, or after dinner?
If the cookie table is the only dessert (no wedding cake), then we’d advise waiting until after dinner. If you have to set the cookie table up ahead of time, cover the entire spread with netting (purchase at JoAnn Fabrics), and ask the event/ catering staff to uncover it after dinner.
If you have a large amount of cookies, we suggest allowing guests to nibble cookies from the point of the cocktail hour. Why? Because you may be eating cookies the following Christmas (that you have frozen since the wedding!). The trick with having them out at cocktail hour is to NOT give take home containers from that early point. Have cocktail napkins and small plates (even disposable in your wedding color) and this will keep guests from hoarding. Bring the take home containers out around 8 or 9pm, or a few hours after dinner.
Speaking of Take Home containers, what your favorite?
We love the square, clear plastic (recyclable) clam shell design. They are the most secure. We suggest ordering one half of your guest count in take home containers. (150 guests, 75 containers)
Should I pay my venue, caterer, or outside business to do my cookie table?
The simple answer here is YES. Many venues or caterers are now charging a small fee per person to do this. Vintage Alley also does amazing cookie tables! We think this is worth it! You and your family will be too busy on the day of your wedding to worry about setting up your cookie table.
Can I ask my venue to store cookies a few days ahead?
Yes again! Ask your venue if you can drop off cookies a few days ahead. Hopefully they will tray them on wedding day, and arrange your cookie table. Make sure you note which cookies need to be refrigerated, and make sure the venue can accommodate them. Have the cookies in recyclable plastic trays with domed lids if possible. If necessary, write the bride’s last name with permanent marker on top of the clear domed lid. These domed containers make it very easy to transport and store the the cookies safely. Find these at food service stores, like Gordon’s or another restaurant supply store. If you use your own personal containers to transport, make sure you have cleared this with the venue, and have your name on everything.
Should I label the cookies?
This is really up to you. Most people recognize lots of cookie types by now, or can usually figure them out. What we really love is when cookies are labeled with their name, plus the person who baked them. Wow, that is really something!
What do you think about Nut free and Gluten Free choices?
Typically we see these when one of the couple (or both) have either sensitivities. We think it is very sweet to have a couple of gluten free and nut free choices. Just make sure they get labeled and stay separated.
My family wants to set up the cookie table. How much time should I allow?
If your family is setting up the cookie table themselves, allow 2-3 hours to tray and set up 50 dozen cookies. Remember to pay attention to lady locks and cream cheese filled cookies, as these should be placed as close as possible to serving time. Save all of the boxes (under the tables if they are skirted) so you can easily pack and transport any leftovers and props at the end of the evening.
What can I do to make my cookie table special?
Venues and caterers will line the cookie tables with tablecloths and sometimes use props to heighten pedestals or trays of cookies. If you want to provide special pedestals, vintage plates or heirloom trays, this can enhance the look of your cookie table. Make sure you have your name on the bottom of these.
Sprinkle wrapped chocolates around the table for a delicious effect (Hershey kisses or Dove chocolates). Have a few glass jars of specialty candy in the wedding color if you can find these. Order an imprinted cookie cutter of the wedding couple, and use it to make sugar or other flat cookies.
We hope this post helps you make informed decisions about your cookie table! Enjoy the baking and plan your display ahead of time. Recruit friends and family to help, or hire a baker. Don’t shoulder the whole load unless you really want to. Read up on what you can bake and freeze. And join the Pittsburgh Wedding Cookie Table Community, where thousands of people share their best recipes and decor ideas, and help others with cookie table questions.
Check out our video for one of our favorite cookie tables!
See more of our cookie tables at our You Tube Channel!