It’s really a shame where our high-tech society has brought us.  Although information is at the tip of our fingers twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred sixty-five days a year we still don’t know what wedding cookies are!  No matter how much the bride talks about having a traditional church wedding with all the hoopla, what is a traditional wedding without a traditional wedding cookie table? 

Although there is no definitive word where the tradition actually originated, it is certain that wedding cookies and wedding cookie tables are a part of the culture of many nationalities.  You are most likely to find cookie tables at Italian, Greek, Spanish, Danish and Mexican weddings.  Jewish weddings also are known to make use of the cookie table or cookie wedding favors.  However, many food historians believe that the tradition originated with the Russians.  It appears that it became prevalent in the 1950’s when relations were strained between the United States and the Soviet Union.  So for some unknown reason, they became known as Mexican Wedding Cookies.  What the relationship between Mexico and Russia was, and more specifically, how it related to wedding cookies is unclear.  What is clear is that wedding cookies were a staple at weddings throughout the latter part of the last century among many ethnic groups in the United States.

Whether you offer a wedding cookie table for ethnic reasons or a simple means to ward off hunger until the meal begins, a wedding cookie table is welcome addition to any reception.  If there is a tradition of wedding cookies within your own ethnic culture you may wish to display them in a place of prominence.  Perhaps you wish to include them as a personalized wedding favor on tables or as individual cookies at each place setting.  If you intend them to be eaten as a quick hors dœuvre then it would be best not to use an overly sweet or frosted cookie.

Many bakeries are familiar with the tradition of wedding cookies and are able to provide them when they deliver and set up the wedding cake.  You can have them presented thematically to compliment your cake or décor.  They can be personalized with edible decorations or flowers.  Edible flowers are lovely if the theme of your wedding lends itself to floral décor.  While they can be a bit expensive, personalized wedding cookies add a touch of class to any reception.  If you can’t afford to order them, or if there is not a local baker who can provide them, there are a ton of recipes online that you could use.  That is, if you have anyone in your family who can find their way around the kitchen.  In fact, homemade wedding cookies are extremely meaningful, especially if they have significance to the bride or groom or both!