PHOTOS BY JEN MCKEN PHOTOGRAPHY

We announced the winner, but it wasn’t an easy decision by any means. The runners-up of our biannual cookie table contest include a tribute to the city and a COVID-conscious, massive outdoor display.

Joseph Villella and Nina Carcia’s cookie table was a tribute to Pittsburgh. Yellow bridges and a model of PPG Place held some of the 52 different varieties of cookies, crafted by 21 bakers.

For their reception, which took place on Oct. 23, 2021, at Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort, the couple’s cookie table also included photos of them and their initials in large gold letters.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Hannah Vetere and Austin Bower had a small ceremony in 2020 due to COVID with an outdoor reception on June 4, 2021, with family and friends at Holy Trinity Serbian Picnic Grove.

PHOTO BY TAMI WEINGARTNER

There were more than 5,000 cookies in the couple’s COVID-conscious display, each carefully wrapped. Twenty-three bakers contributed 26 different types of cookies.