Originally Posted by nittanyalum (Post 1608542)

Do they really need 3 candy-covered almonds wrapped up in tulle? (yes, got that one time)

Originally Posted by sageofages (Post 1608585)

uh.....we are in Iowa :) so hardly "Pittsburgh" thought out here.

My daughter had a outdoor wedding/reception at a local lilac aboretum. She wanted a small ceremony and cake/punch reception immediately following.

The bells were painted cream and lilac with calla lillies and lilac clusters attached with lavender ribbon. They worked because the plates were a clear plastic and didn't clink :).

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul (Post 1608610)

no no! I meant that at every Pittsburgh wedding I've ever been too (and I've been to a *lot* as a photographer), everyone always bangs the drink glasses with the silverware to get the bride and groom to kiss, rather than ring bells. Pittsburgh's full of weird wedding traditions, such as the cookie table. Although I must confess that the cookie table is one of the things I'm looking forward to most at my own wedding.

Originally Posted by Kappamd (Post 1608582)

No. I don't know what it is about candles and mirrors, but I think "cheap" everytime.

Originally Posted by AGDee (Post 1608594)

These are Jordan Almonds and the Italians refer to it as Confetti. It is a long standing Italian tradition (my great grandparents even did it in the late 1800s). You are NOT supposed to eat those! You are supposed to put them under your pillow that night and you will dream about who you are going to marry.

Originally Posted by lilzetakitten (Post 1608536)

My FI and I are doing rock candy in our wedding colors. One of the groomsmen has sworn to vigilantly pick up any rock candy left behind. :)

As for the donations thing, I'm really not a fan. Not that I'm against donating... I'm against donating and then telling everyone you know about what a great thing you just did. I think that should be more of a private thing. Additionally, there's no such thing as a charity without controversy... you really don't want a guest leaving offended because you donated to a charity that they're very much against.

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta (Post 1608635)

Rock candy is an awesome idea since you can get it in your colors and it's so yummy!!!! ::drool::

And who would be offended by saving some boobies? :p:D

Originally Posted by Army Wife'79 (Post 1608648)

Cookie table??? Ahhhh, do tell us more. Never heard of that one.

Originally Posted by PhoenixAzul (Post 1608733)

Oh man, the cookie table is the best part of a Pittsburgh wedding. Typically, all the women in the families bake their best cookies, and bring them to the reception (or give them to the Mother o' the Bride a few days before). Then they're spread out on a table, with either little boxes or plates (some people just use their napkins...we're not posh!) and load up on all the different cookies. It's sort of a bonus favor. Apparently it's a sort of "family pride" thing. Most brides get a wee book with the recipe cards as well.

One wedding we went to this summer had 120 DOZEN (that's right, 1,440 cookies) cookies baked by the brides grandmother ALONE.

A bride on a wedding site I frequent used this description, framed, on her cookie table to break it down to the out-of-towners:


The Cookie Table

The cookie table is a Pittsburgh tradition attributed to the collaborative culinary efforts of many ethnic groups. Nobody knows the exact origin of the tradition; it may be Italian or Slovak or Polish or Croatian or Greek. The Scandinavians may get involved, and the Indians, too. The Germans do cookies, and so do the Irish. Certainly, the cookie table is an outward symbol of the support and love which the bride and groom receive from all of their friends and family, no matter what their heritage. In fact, it’s symbolic of what makes America great: a medley of cultures taking the best of each. In this case, it’s favorite family cookie recipes.

There may be no greater tribute to cross-cultural friends and marriages than a Pittsburgh cookie table.

- Adapted from “The Cookie Table: A Pittsburgh Tradition”, by Suzanne Martinson

And number two:

These cookies were all homemade by the mother of the bride, sisters, aunts, cousins and grandmothers. Extended family got involved, too. Friends - of everyone involved today - jumped into the mix. The cookie table truly is the gift of love.

[Bride] and [Groom] truly thank, from the bottom of their hearts, everyone involved in the production of this cookie table and in every aspect of this day. There is no way that we could ever adequately express our gratitude. So simply: Thank you.

And remember, in Pittsburgh, people don’t wonder, “How was the wedding?” They ask, “Were the cookies good?”

- Adapted from “The Cookie Table: A Pittsburgh Tradition”, by Suzanne Martinson

Originally Posted by MysticCat (Post 1608518)

I find this fascinating. I've been going to weddings for decades and had never even heard of the idea of favors until 3 or 4 years ago. Maybe its a regional thing. But to me they just seem like something the wedding consultant industry dreamed up -- kind of the nuptiul equivalent of a Hallmark Holiday. Something else to waste money on.

As for idea of charitable contributions, that seems nice and all, but I'm still flummoxed -- I've been invited to witness the exchange of vows (that is what it's all about, after all), I've been given my fill of good stuff to eat and drink, I may have danced, I've had a good time . . . . that's plenty! Why do the bride and groom need to give me a little gift (that I probably don't really want) or make a donation in my honor? I just don't get it.

I guess it's obvious we didn't have favors at our wedding?