A tasty, creative dessert display is a quintessential part of any wedding venue. The cake often steals the show; however, many couples are also adding cookie tables to the scene. This unique, delicious tradition is sure to be a hit. You’ll find all the details on it here. 

Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Cookie Tables

What Are They?

Cookie tables are a tradition in Western Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. They first appeared in the early 20th Century, most prominently in Pittsburgh, PA, and Youngstown, OH. Wedding cakes were expensive, especially during the Great Depression. European immigrants inhabiting the area would often bake a wide selection of special, homemade cookies to offset the cost of a wedding cake. 

Why Are They Special?

You won’t find ordinary stacks of store-bought treats on traditional wedding cookie tables. Instead, the families and close friends of the bride and groom bake fancy, mouth-watering desserts. This labor of love is a great way for families to bond before a wedding, as cookies are baked and frozen for months in preparation for the big day. 

Many choose cookie recipes close to the bride and groom. The groom’s mother may bake a childhood favorite like pecan tassies or jam thumbprint cookies. A sister may bake her and the bride’s favorite peanut butter blossoms, or a grandmother may bake tasty biscotti or pignoli cookies at an Italian wedding. 

Each cookie is arranged with care at the wedding venue. Tables are covered in a beautiful cloth spread, and treats are stacked on elegant, tiered serving trays. Colorful meringue drops may be paired with sugar-coated U-shaped almond horns. Fluffy kolaches may be placed next to thick, glazed pecan bars. It’s ultimately an artistic display crafted with love and cherished recipes. 

The spread of hundreds, and even thousands, of cookies create a place for guests to congregate with one another. There’s sure to be something for everyone, and trying different cookies can introduce someone to cultural favorites or treats at the wedding venue they’d never heard of.

If you’re planning a wedding in Rhinelander, WI, and looking for the perfect venue, contact The Pizza Haven. They’re one of the area’s leading wedding venues and serve a large selection of food—they even make wedding cakes! Explore their catering menu on their website, or call (715) 362-5942 to book their wedding venue.