How to Make the Broom for an African-American Wedding

Some African-American couples incorporate the popular tradition of jumping the broom at their weddings. You can make this ceremony even more special by customizing your own broom to use during the ritual.

Things You'll Need

• Bows
• Ribbons
• Baskets
• Brooms
• Cloth Flowers

Instructions

1. Purchase a household broom of any size at a grocery or home goods store.

2. Buy colored or gauze ribbon, ready-made bows, dried or cloth flowers, bells and other decorations you would like to use.

3. Coordinate the decorations with your wedding colors.

4. Ask your bridesmaids to set aside a night before the wedding to help you decorate the broom.

5. Clear a tabletop or find space on the floor.

6. Lay out the decorations on the broom in various ways until you find a combination you like.

7. Tie the ribbon and bows to the handle of the broom.

8. Add the other decorations.

9. Provide a basket of extra bows at your wedding and ask guests to attach them to the broom themselves to help them feel part of the ceremony.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are short on time, consider buying an already decorated broom at an ethnic store nearby. Or do a keyword search on the Internet for "jump the broom" or "African traditions" to find some links to vendors who sell them ready-made.