I am shocked beyond belief that none of the other Western PA people have posted yet.
In this area, weddings are not "rated" by the flowers, the food, the bridal party, or the wedding cake - it's
The Cookie Table!!!
I've heard that the tradition started either with the Italian or Eastern European immigration to this area. Friends of the family will spend MONTHS making fancy, fancier, and fanciest cookies to be frozen and then displayed on said Cookie Table. You go to the wedding reception, and there are cookies ready. You finish your dinner, and there are more cookies. It's amazing, and I have been told several times that the sole reason my marriage failed is because I did not have a Cookie Table (*shamefully hangs her head*). Read more about it
here.
And I'm not talking just chocolate chips or snickerdoodles - I'm talking about mini-ladylocks, pecan tassies, mini-cheesecakes, layered brownies, pizelles - it truly has to be seen to be truly appreciated!!
As for my "ethnic" tradition, the bride NEVER walks down the aisle during the rehearsal (she has a good friend do it), and there is always a Groom's Cake, along with the Wedding Cake.