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Super November 2020

Pittsburgh People, i need your help

Mindy, on May 25, 2020 at 8:27 AM Posted in Pennsylvania Planning 0 11

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So I was raised in western PA where the tradition at every wedding is to have a cookie table.
My fiancé grew up in the same area.
However, we are not getting married in western PA. We live in coastal Virginia and are getting married at a local winery. My maid of honor, who is originally from western PA as well and now loves in Colorado, texted me yesterday asking if we were going to have a cookie table and when I shared that question with my fiancé, he said that he’s never been to a wedding that didn’t have one. I don’t think it’s necessary with all the appetizers during cocktail hour, entrees, and cupcakes for dessert. My question is this - if my venue allows us to bring in outside food (which I swear I remember her saying that we couldn’t), should I plan to have a cookie table? And, who is responsible for making all the cookies? With everyone traveling from out of state, this has me beyond stressed out.

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11 Comments

Latest activity by Katie, on June 7, 2020 at 9:39 PM

Expert September 2020
Emily · on May 25, 2020 at 9:50 AM
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I didn't grow up in PA, but I did have the pleasure of going to one wedding in Pittsburgh so I at least know what you're talking about. With that wedding, I believe the bride's family had made all the cookies over weeks and frozen them or something - super cool tradition!

I think the real question for you is whether it's important to you and your partner (and potentially your extended family). If it's not, don't worry about it. If it is, see about flexibility with the venue - even if they are very restrictive you could always do it like mini take out boxes instead of favors. You do you!
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Super September 2019
Courtney · on May 25, 2020 at 9:57 AM
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Like a PP said, it would be a fun tradition to include if it’s important to you and your fiancé. I’m not from PA so I’m really familiar with this but could you just buy cookies from a bakery since guests are travelling...? I’d also talk to your venue about what they’ll allow. I would think most venues would be more flexible on desserts as “outside food” since people usually provide their own cakes. I love the idea of having them as your favors if you can’t actually serve them.
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Beginner October 2020
Jessica · on May 25, 2020 at 10:00 AM
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I’m from PGH and have been advised by my caterer to not have a cookie table or dessert table due to COVID. A lot of venues are limiting spaces where people can congregate and limiting “buffet like” food stations. If the cookies are an important tradition, perhaps you can individually wrap and distribute as a party favor or late night snack? I definitely would stay away from the traditional cookie table (as yummy as they are).
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Super November 2020
Mindy · on May 25, 2020 at 10:03 AM
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It’s a really sweet tradition (pardon the pun).
My concern outside of the venue restrictions is that we have 3 family weddings starting in August with my cousin and ending with ours in November, so I’d feel guilty asking any of my relatives on my mom’s side to help.
Obviously if it’s important to my fiancé and the venue allows it, I’ll find a way to make it happen. Personally, I hadn’t even given it a thought since we aren’t getting married in western PA.
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Expert September 2020
Emily · on May 25, 2020 at 10:03 AM
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Oh yeah, good point. The cookie table I experienced would definitely have made me really uncomfortable right now with such a crowd around it.

Maybe a small box at each seat with a variety if that's what you do, but non-PA ppl definitely aren't expecting it either.
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Super November 2020
Mindy · on May 25, 2020 at 10:10 AM
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Honestly that part hadn’t even crossed my mind when my MOH asked about this.
My immediate freak out after my FH’s reaction was his entire family, one of my bridesmaids, and my mom’s side are in western PA. My father’s side is in CT. My MOH lives in CO.
So if we have it in any capacity, I would end up having to make 30 dozen cookies. *cue the stress-induced tears*
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Super April 2021
Tiger Bride · on May 26, 2020 at 10:14 AM
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Hey! We are planning to have a cookie table. My FI's family is from PGH and we are getting married in the Southeast (near where he grew up). Like you, most people are traveling.
We haven't worked out the logistics of it yet, but a lot of his parents' friends are also from PGH so we were thinking they would probably bring cookies since they don't have to fly. If that isn't enough I imagine MIL will buy/make some to augment.
As for covid, while we have not decided whether to keep our October date or postpone (to April), we are not planning to change all that much about the setup. We have a buffet style dinner that we might change to cafeteria style, we are planning to have an appetizer table, and we are planning to have a cookie table. If someone doesn't feel comfortable eating a cookie from it, they don't have to.
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VIP August 2020
Katie · on May 26, 2020 at 11:10 AM
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I had a cookie table and candy buffet but unfortunately because of COVID-19, likely not allowed to have buffets of any kind. If you would rather not have one, blame it on COVID 😉
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Super November 2020
Mindy · on May 26, 2020 at 11:30 AM
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I love that 😂
I checked the venue wedding faq yesterday and it clearly states no outside food. So I’m off the cookie table hook! Now to figure out how to break that news to my FH. 🤔
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Savvy October 2021
Corinne · on June 6, 2020 at 4:14 PM
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Our PGH vendor just sent out a "we're in the green!" update and specifically mentioned cookie tables. She recommended pre-bagging cookies for people to take as they leave instead of the usual "take whatever you want" scenario. That's a possibility!
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VIP August 2020
Katie · on June 7, 2020 at 9:39 PM
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LOL!! Sometimes those limitations work in our favor!! Hope FH doesn’t take the news too hard 🙂
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