The Art Of Decorating Wedding Date Cookies: A Step-By-Step Guide

Decorating wedding cookies is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your big day. Whether you're showcasing them at a bridal shower, bachelorette party, or the wedding itself, cookies are a sweet addition to any celebration. From elegant icing designs to playful shapes, the possibilities for customization are endless. You can opt for classic flavours like chocolate chip or get creative with unique flavours like lavender or matcha. If you're feeling extra crafty, you can even make your own cookie cutters in the shape of wedding gowns, diamond rings, or double hearts. Don't forget to use food colouring to match your wedding theme! For a polished look, consider using a cookie decorating kit, which includes all the essential tools and supplies. Happy baking!

Using a wedding cookie kit

Prepare the Cookies:

Start by preparing the cookie dough according to your chosen recipe. The kit will provide you with various cookie cutters to create different shapes, including an apple tree cookie cutter, a wedding dress cookie cutter, and a double heart cookie cutter. Cut out your desired shapes and bake the cookies. It's recommended to roll the dough to 1/4" thickness for the best results.

Make the Royal Icing:

For decorating the cookies, you'll need to make a batch of royal icing. The kit may provide you with food gels in various colours, such as white, black, gold, burgundy, and avocado. It's a good idea to make the icing a day ahead so that the colours can deepen overnight. You'll need a stand mixer, such as a KitchenAid mixer, to prepare the icing.

Decorate the Cookies:

Now comes the fun part—decorating the cookies! The wedding cookie kit will provide you with a range of tools to create different designs. Here are some ideas on how to use the supplies in your kit:

• Use the tipless icing bags to outline and flood the cookies with icing.
• Add elegant details to your cookies using the Wilton Tip #101 Petal. You can also use this tip to create beautiful mini and medium-sized roses.
• If you want to add some sparkle to your cookies, use the Antique Gold Crystal Color Mini and the Silverwhite Brush to paint metallic accents.
• For a romantic touch, use the Double Heart Cookie Cutter to create "Just Married" stencilled cookies.
• The Diamond Ring Cookie Cutter can be embellished with gold accents and a cluster of roses for a luxurious look.
• Get creative with the Apple Tree Cookie Cutter by using it to make a stunning flower bouquet design.

Allow Drying and Packing:

Once you've finished decorating, allow the cookies to dry completely (18-24 hours) before packing them. Store them in a cool oven overnight to ensure they dry properly. On the third day, you can heat-seal the cookies in clear cellophane treat bags and tie them with ribbons for a beautiful presentation.

Choosing a cookie shape

Classic Shapes:

Consider classic cookie shapes such as hearts, rings, or wedding gowns. These shapes are easily recognizable and are often associated with weddings. For example, you can find diamond ring-shaped cookies or cookie cutters that can be used to create this shape. Heart-shaped cookies are perfect for a romantic theme, while a wedding gown shape can be decorated with intricate piped details.

Initials and Monograms:

Personalize your wedding date cookies by incorporating the couple's initials or monograms. You can find cookie cutters or stencils with alphabet shapes or opt for custom-made cookies. This adds a unique and customized touch to your dessert table.

Location-Themed Cookies:

Represent the couple's hometown, the place they first met, or any significant location in their relationship. Use heart-shaped icing to mark the exact location on the cookie. This idea is especially charming if the couple has a travel-themed wedding or a love for exploring different places.

Hobbies and Passions:

Decorate your cookies to showcase the couple's favourite hobbies or passions. For example, if they love music, you can create cookies in the shape of musical notes or instruments. Or, if they're avid readers, you might shape cookies like miniature books.

Seasonal and Themed Shapes:

Consider the season or theme of the wedding and choose cookie shapes accordingly. For instance, floral-shaped cookies for a spring or summer wedding, or leaf-shaped cookies for an autumn-themed celebration. You could also incorporate other wedding themes, such as a beach theme, with cookie shapes like seashells or flip-flops.

Playful Shapes:

Add a touch of whimsy to your wedding date cookies by choosing playful shapes. This could include anything from stars and moons to more unusual shapes like hot air balloons or even suit-shaped cookies. Playful shapes can bring a sense of fun and creativity to your dessert table.

When selecting a cookie shape, consider the overall theme and aesthetic of the wedding, as well as the couple's personalities and interests. You can opt for classic shapes or get creative with more unique and personalized designs. Remember, the shape of the cookie is a great way to incorporate special details and make your wedding date cookies truly memorable.

Adding decorative elements

Icing and Fondant

Use icing or fondant to create intricate designs, such as floral motifs, chevron patterns, or even replicas of your formal wedding attire. You can also use icing to pipe details that look like beautiful folds of fabric on a wedding gown cookie or add gold accents and a cluster of roses to a diamond ring cookie. If you want to include your wedding date, use icing to write out the numbers or create a cute calendar with the date marked.

Colours and Themes

Incorporate your wedding colours into the cookie design. Use icing or fondant in your chosen shades, and perhaps add some edible glitter or sprinkles for extra sparkle. If you have a theme, such as rustic, bohemian, or garden, reflect this in your cookie decorations. For example, use nature-inspired designs or earthy tones for a rustic theme, or delicate flowers and leaves for a garden theme.

Personalisation

Personalise your cookies with the initials of the happy couple or the wedding date. You could even create cookie favours with the names of each guest, or add a cute sign with a message near the cookie display. Another idea is to represent the couple's hometowns or the place they first met with heart-shaped icing.

Cookie Cutters and Stencils

Use cookie cutters to create different shapes, such as wedding gowns, diamond rings, or double hearts. Stencils are also a great way to add consistent designs or text to your cookies. You can find cookie cutters and stencils in various shapes and sizes to fit your theme.

Edible Flowers and Gold Accents

Add fresh or sugar paste flowers, leaves, and butterflies to your cookies for a natural, garden-themed look. For a touch of luxury, paint gold accents using a thin brush and edible gold dust mixed with alcohol, which will evaporate quickly, leaving a shiny finish.

With these ideas and your own creativity, you can design beautiful and unique wedding date cookies that will impress your guests and add a special touch to your big day.

Using a stencil

Prepare Your Cookie Dough and Stencil:

Start by preparing your favourite cookie dough recipe and rolling it out to your desired thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out evenly-sized cookies. While your cookies are baking, prepare your stencil by selecting a design that includes the wedding date. You can purchase ready-made stencils or create your own using stencil paper or cardboard. Ensure the stencil is slightly smaller than the size of your cookies for a neat finish.

Mix Your Icing:

Prepare a batch of royal icing, dividing it into separate bowls if you plan to use multiple colours. Add food colouring gels to create your desired shades, remembering to mix a little less gel if you want pastel colours. Mix well and transfer the icing to piping bags, snipping a small opening for controlled application.

Apply the Stencil:

Once your cookies have cooled, place the stencil gently on top of the cookie. Hold it in place with one hand while using your other hand to apply the icing.

Fill in the Design:

Carefully pipe the icing over the stencil, ensuring you fill in all the gaps evenly. You can use a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the icing smoothly and remove any air bubbles. Remember to work quickly to avoid the icing drying and pulling the stencil off the cookie surface.

Remove the Stencil:

Carefully lift the stencil straight up to avoid smudging the design. If you're using multiple colours, repeat the stencilling process for each colour, allowing a few minutes between colours for the icing to set.

Add Additional Details (Optional):

Once the stencilled design is complete, you can add further details such as piped borders, sugar pearls, or edible glitter to enhance the design.

Allow the Icing to Dry:

Leave the cookies undisturbed in a cool, dry place for at least 6 hours or until the icing is completely dry. This will ensure that your design stays intact.

Packaging options

When it comes to packaging wedding cookies, there are several options to choose from. Here are some ideas to consider:

Clear Plastic Bags

These transparent bags are perfect for individually wrapped or small cookies. They allow the cookies to be visible while keeping them fresh and protected. You can find clear plastic bags in various sizes and styles, such as self-sealing bags or bags with stickers for sealing.

Decorative Boxes

Opt for beautifully crafted boxes that align with the wedding theme and colour scheme. These boxes not only protect the cookies but also serve as elegant favours for guests to take home. Look for boxes with intricate designs, perhaps featuring the couple's initials or a romantic quote.

Ribbon-Wrapped Bundles

Add a touch of elegance and sophistication by wrapping bundles of cookies with a coordinating colour ribbon. This option is ideal for presenting a variety of cookies together as a gift. You can choose ribbons in various materials such as satin or organza, and perhaps add a small tag with a message or the couple's names.

Mini Gift Bags

Use mini gift bags made of paper or fabric to hold a few cookies. Personalise them with the couple's initials, their wedding date, or a sweet message for a charming touch. These bags can be placed at each guest's seat or displayed together on a table for guests to choose from.

Clear Cookie Jars

Showcase an assortment of cookies in clear glass or acrylic cookie jars. This option allows guests to easily view the cookies and select their favourites. You can decorate the jars with ribbons or personalised tags to match the wedding theme.

Customised Cookie Sleeves

Have customised paper sleeves made to fit the theme or style of the wedding. These sleeves can feature the couple's names, wedding date, or a romantic quote. They are a unique way to present cookies and can be designed to match the colour scheme of the event.

When considering packaging options, it's important to keep in mind the number of cookies per package, the size of the cookies, and whether you want to display them or provide them as favours for guests to take home. You can also add decorative touches such as ribbons, stickers, or personalised tags to enhance the overall presentation.

Frequently asked questions