The Pittsburgh cookie table is the BEST Southwestern PA wedding tradition, in our humble opinions. Disagree if you must but we can’t think of anything better than an all-you-can-eat buffet of delicious treats. Plus, nothing cures a post-wedding hangover quite like a breakfast of leftover cookies, right? There are mixed opinions about how the Pittsburgh cookie table got its start, but we are sure glad it did. While we’ve never met a cookie table we haven’t liked, nothing makes our mouths water quite like the ones that combine style AND sweets! Infuse a little personality and step up your wedding dessert game with these Pittsburgh cookie table ideas!
Don’t be afraid to ask relatives to pitch in.
If your family members are anything like ours, they’ll spend months baking hundreds of dozens of cookies. Or at least, they’ll want to. Don’t be shy about asking relatives or friends for help. Most are just waiting to be asked, and they’d love nothing more than to be involved with your big day. Don’t feel obligated to do all of that baking on your own! Plus, no one makes a chocolate chip cookie quite like grandma does anyways.
Give a little history.
Everyone will know the Pittsburgh cookie table when they see it. But some people – like your out-of-town guests – may not know what it’s all about. Display a sign that gives a brief history or description of the local wedding tradition and everyone will feel more in the know.
Create visual interest.
Every other aspect of your wedding is styled to perfection. Don’t stop with the cookie table. Make it visually appealing by incorporating props, fresh flowers, or even a fun backdrop. Think of it as yet another way to bring style and life to your reception!
Say thank you.
If family and friends are giving you an assist with the baking (see #1), be sure to acknowledge them. Display a sign that recognizes all of your baking fairy godmothers or include a little card next to each type of cookie, letting your guests know who made it. Either way, find some way to publicly say thank you to all of those kitchen gurus!
Make sure everything is labeled.
People like to know what they’re eating. That’s why it’s a good idea to label each type of cookie on the table. At the very least, be sure to point out which treats contain nuts. Your peanut-allergic friends will thank you! If you’ll be accommodating any other dietary restrictions – like gluten free or sugar free – make sure to label those too!
Create height with your display.
If they’ve grown up in Southwestern PA, they’ve spent their entire lives attending local weddings and seeing Pittsburgh cookies tables…which is exactly why you should give them something they haven’t seen before! Keep your table interesting by building your table up, instead of out! Use tiered trays or prop containers up with pretty boxes or stands to create height and dimension.
Think outside the box with containers.
Skip the flat plastic trays. Opt for something unique and use your imagination when it comes to display containers. Glass apothecary jars, an antique drawer, framed mirrors, wooden crates, or even an old suitcase lined with a pretty linen can hold cookies. Let your creative juices start flowing and your guests will say “Wow!”
Don’t feel the need to stick to just cookies.
If there’s anything better than a cookie table, it’s a table that has allllll kinds of desserts! If cookies aren’t really your thing but you still want to partake in this tradition, incorporate other types of sweet treats into your table. There are loads of great, iconic local bakeries that offer everything from donuts to cupcakes to miniature parfaits. It’s a fun way to show off more of what Pittsburgh has to offer while also giving your guests another dessert option.
Have to-go bags or boxes.
This tip is probably a given. BUT what you probably haven’t thought of is keeping those to-go containers hidden until later in the evening. Open up your cookie table during dinner so that guests can eat some for dessert. However, consider waiting until during the dancing portion of the evening to put out your to-go containers. Otherwise, guests will fill up their bags or boxes WAAAAY TOO EARLY, meaning your cookie table will look pretty sparse sooner than you want. Make ‘em wait a little bit to fill up 😉
My daughter is getting married out of town & I really want the cookie table to be elegant ! I am open for all suggestions & suggestions ! Love the cookie table of Pittsburgh ❤️