Jumping the Broom Wedding Programs
The practice of jumping the broom at weddings dates back hundreds of years and is said to have African as well as Celtic roots. The bride and groom hold hands and together jump over a broom on the ground. This represents the entrance of a new life and the "sweeping behind" them of their pasts. Since many guests at your wedding may not be familiar with this practice, it's a good idea to include an explanation of it in your wedding program.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Include the broom jumping portion of the ceremony in the corresponding spot in the ceremony schedule. Traditionally, the broom jumping marks the end of the ceremony, just before the bride and groom make their exit as husband and wife. The broom jumping can also take place at the start of the wedding reception. If this is the case make a note at the end of the ceremony schedule of events. For example, "Jumping the Broom tradition to take place at reception." This makes any references to the history of the tradition in the program make sense to the guest.
-
2
Provide a brief history as to the origin of the broom jumping tradition to the wedding guests. This allows them to understand the ritual and the meaning behind it. For example, tell the guests the broom jumping ritual can be traced back both to African as well as Celtic tradition. Slavery likely caused the tradition to come to North America. The tradition is still practiced in west Africa today.
-
-
3
Explain the significance behind the ritual. The ritual is said to mark the transition of single life to married life. Relay this meaning in the wedding program. Since brooms are traditionally used for sweeping away debris, the broom is jumped over to represent joining together in a new chapter of life. The "debris" of the old lifestyles are swept away and left behind, as the couple leaves the broom behind them in their wake.
-
4
Include a note in the program why the couple chose to include the broom jumping ritual. Explain what the tradition means to them and why this tradition touched them enough to include it in their wedding ceremony. This will help guests connect to the ritual and feel the personal sentiments it displays for the couple.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
