Oak Cookies and Cross-Cut Discs for Weddings

Wood cookies, the thin cross-cut discs you see at weddings, are one of the simplest and warmest ways to bring natural wood into a day. Here is what to think about if you are planning some.

What they are

A cookie is a slice cut across the log, so you see the growth rings and often the waney bark edge. Oak and elm both make good cookies, with oak giving a paler, tighter ring and elm a wilder figure.

What people use them for

Centrepieces under flowers and lanterns, bases for a cake, table numbers and name places, favours and coasters, signs and backdrops. Bigger discs work as cake stands or a guest-book base.

Sizes

For centrepieces, 20 to 30cm across is usual. Coasters and place settings are 8 to 12cm. Cake bases depend on the cake. Tell us the diameters and how many and we will cut to match.

Green or seasoned

Fresh-cut cookies look lovely but they will check and crack as they dry, and that can happen right before the day. If you want them stable, order seasoned, or order ahead and let them dry slowly somewhere cool. A little cracking is part of the character for many couples; it is your call.

Thickness and finish

Around 20 to 30mm is sturdy enough to handle and stand up. Leave them raw for a rustic look, or sand and give them a coat of oil to lift the grain and keep them clean.

Ordering

Cookies are cut to order from Devon oak and elm, so tell us the diameters, the thickness, how many and the date you need them for, and we will come back with what we can cut and a price. Order in good time so there is room to dry them if you want them stable.