Jump the Broom in Style
Going generations back, this tradition goes back to the slave era when blacks were forbidden to marry. To prove their matrimonial commitment to themselves and their community, the couple would physically jump over a broom to symbolize their leap in to married life. African American couples frequently tie in the tradition of “jumping the broom” at the close of their ceremonies.
You can find custom brooms online at places like African-Weddings, Wedding Brooms by Alicia, or you can make one yourself.
.::Photo by Brian Dorsey::.
Designing your own broom is something you can ask your florist to do. You can pick out a broom at a local craft store, or they can get one for you. If your florist does your broom, you will find that it will be in consistent in design with the rest of your arrangements. S/he can use the same color and type of ribbon for the broom’s handle as used on your bouquets, right down to the braid pattern. Flowers from your bouquet can be incorporated, too. You can offer similar customizations such as adding lockets of those you wish to remember, or even lockets of your own parents’ wedding photos to symbolize the joining of your two families. When your child or sibling gets married it can be passed along to them too. Most couples save their brooms and put them on display in their homes. If you choose to do this, make sure that you use sturdy materials when creating your broom.
Depending on how ceremonial you would like to get with your broom jumping, you can have your officiant bring it out from a hidden area. As an alternative, you can have an honored relative or even a young child bring forth the broom and place it before you.
Above picture from Your Wedding Day
Monica Rae
Funny story about those brooms: One of my girlfriends saw a groomsman carrying a broom done up with a white bow. She’s telling me this story saying “Can you believe it?? Can you believe they would do that on the bride’s WEDDING DAY?!?” She thought the groomsman brought it along to make a statement as though it was the bride’s transportation. 🙂
aeleise
Thank you for this info. We’re planning on jumping the broom, but the problem is finding the right broom. I’m going to use your DIY advice and see how it turns out.
Inspired Events
Great read as always!! Have a fab weekend!!
Terrica
Monica :: I thought you were going somewhere else with the story…Your story is funnier than what I thought up!
Aeleise :: Let me know how it goes; if you develop a method I would love to share it! I might make one in your honor this weekend LOL!
Nycia :: Thank YOU…as always 🙂
aeleise
If you get to it, I’d love to see it!
yamgnos
That’s really great custom traditions, I think ceremony will be more interesting with this.
Aeleise
So I finally made the broom! It was so much easier than I thought. I’ll send you pics tomorrow.
Torrie Squillace
Thanks for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such fantastic info being shared freely out there.
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