What is a cookie table?

A cookie table is primarily a Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Eastern Ohio tradition; it might also be experienced at weddings in other parts of the country by transplants who bring it with them. The name says it all—it is a table at the wedding reception covered with hundreds of cookies of every variety. Although initially intended as a lower-cost alternative to a wedding cake, the cookies are now additional dessert options alongside the cake.

Cookie tales are a DIY labor of love. Before the wedding, family and friends of the bride and groom bake endless varieties of treats using treasured family recipes that draw on many ethnic traditions. You might also see local favorites such as Eat’n’Park Smiley cookies or Sarris’ Candies chocolate-covered pretzels. All the goodies are attractively arranged on a table (or multiple tables!), and guests may nibble throughout the reception. At the end of the evening, boxes are available for guests to take home leftover goodies. And there are always leftover goodies!

In “Bridesmaid’s Fast-Track Fling,” even though the wedding takes place in Monaco, bridesmaid Olivia is responsible for facilitating this Western Pennsylvania tradition to help the bride stay connected to her roots on her big day. Fortunately, Olivia meets Nikos, and among other surprises, he provides kourabiedes - buttery almond snowballs, also known as Greek wedding cookies!