Anyone doing a cookie table?

Britt0412

Who is carrying on the Western PA tradition of having a cookie table at their reception? We have them at every family wedding and I'm definitely having one. A few relatives have offered to bake their signature cookies, I'll make some with my sisters, and I might buy some. How soon before can you bake them? And how do you store them? I'm assuming the the freezer, but how would you package? And how many cookies are you planning on having for your number of guests? I want to make sure everyone has some to take home with them.

lpowers1118

I know that we will be carrying on the tradition of having a cookie table.  What you seem to be doing with having your family make cookies is the way we are going as well.  It seems to be the best way and most favorable when coming to the wallet.

My FI family all lives in the burgh and most are retired.  They told me not to worry about doing the cookies and that a week before the wedding they will all just start baking up a storm.  Luckily enough he has 9 aunts and his mom so that will be plenty of baking and freezer space to store them for a week.  (Also lucky: His uncle is a professional caterer and has several standup freezers that he has offered).

His uncle also comes into the tray portion as well.  He is letting us use his cookie trays for the wedding so that will be at no cost to us.  I would recommend that if you do plan to do your own cookies to go to a bulk caterer store and purchase the trays yourself.  The price for the trays would most likely be cheaper than allowing your venue to tray the cookies as most places I've seen charge a sizeable fee for this 

Back to the cookies; we are planning on an estimate of 5 cookies per person (whether to take home or snack on while there), with the exception of kids we are planning on a little more for them. 

I also plan on baking some myself.  The night before all of my bridesmaids will be staying with me and I figured what better way for some of them to hang out and get to know each other better (2 are from out of state college and 2 are my family members) then to open some wine and bake cookies.  Plus, the two that are out of state don't really get the tradition so it might be fun to get them involved.  They all seem pretty thrilled about it.  Plus since it is the night before there is no need to worry about freezer space.  

GL and happy baking! 

HeathenSwan

My fiance is from Ohio and I'm from NJ, so we weren't familiar with the tradition. His parents have lived here for over ten years, so we heard about it from them. We had been looking to do edible favors, so we're going to do the cookies for that. A few of his family members, as well as my Mom, and he and I will be making cookies. My Mom is also making truffles (she's been making them a lot lately and they're really good!)

Is there some sort of special tray they're supposed to go on? We were just going to try and find inexpensive trays (maybe disposable?) and do them ourselves.

cmburnham

Both of our families are from PIttsburgh but I had never heard of the tradition until we started looking at  reception venues (everyone tells you where you can put the cookie table, haha). I like the tradition though and am  thinking of including it. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

heb557

We will have a cookie table.

To be honest, we will just bake a ton of cookies, my mom bakes Christmas cookies every year and I think she makes enough for the entire US, so i'm sure our table will be over flowing.

What we do is bake them, and let them cool, unless they are a cream cookie. Once the cookies are cooled down we put and dozen or two into ziplock baggies(We buy bulk at Sams), then you can either either them in a box and then in the freezer or just put the baggies in the freezer. You can freeze for a long period of time. We froze my shower cookies a few months before the shower and all you have to do is take them out in ample time to let them thaw.

I wanted to just buy the cookies however my mama would not allow that. Her cookies are to die for and are always in high demand.

Some cookies freeze better then others, I think. Lady fingers, sugar cookies, nut rolls, spritz cookies,sugar cookies, kiss cookies, and snickerdoodles are the ones we freeze. Peanut butter balls and pumpkin rolls we do closer to the day(usually a week before event).

shaynaw828

Most venues that I have talked to will tray/platter the cookies for you that morning.  Talk to your venue and see what they say!

skinsgirl

I just recently found out about Jennuine bakery in Murrysville. I have not personally tried their cakes/cookies yet, but they have TONS of flavors/types to choose from, and their prices are ridiculously low. Like, less than you could make them for! And the people who recommended them to me just rave about them... check out their website, their work is really pretty too. Like I said, I haven't tasted anything, but have heard great things.. I am waiting for a call back, but I think I'll get cookies and the groom's cake from there.

Britt0412

Loved hearing everyone's thoughts on this! Your tips are much appreciated!

TomCat2012

Ladies- is it taboo to ask people outside the family to help with the cookie table? And what are your thoughts on sending out a request with the invite- along the lines of "if you'd like to donate a dozen of your favorite family cookie, we would love to share them with our guests"? I don't have any family on my side that could participate.