George Boyle
Wedding brooms are a popular tradition with roots in the African and Celtic diasporas, as well as Pagan handfastings. The tradition of jumping over a broom symbolizes the transition from single to married life and the joining of two families. Wedding brooms are typically made from natural materials, such as twigs, branches, or broom corn, and can be decorated with ribbons, flowers, lace, or other meaningful elements. Couples may choose to personalize their brooms to reflect their wedding theme, cultural heritage, or other significant aspects of their union.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | Long enough so that everyone jumping it has a bit of broom in front of them |
| Handle | Wooden, ultra plush nylon, or natural twigs/branches |
| Bristles | Natural |
| Decorations | Ribbons, dried or silk flowers, lace, pearls, beads, tropical flowers, or any decorative elements that match the wedding theme and decor |
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What You'll Learn
- The broom's handle: traditionally wooden, it can be shaved and wrapped in ribbon
- Bristles: natural bristles made from broom corn, twigs or branches
- Flowers: dried or silk flowers to match the wedding theme
- Ribbons: silk ribbons to match the wedding colours
- Other decorations: lace, beading, pearls, or other decorative elements
The broom's handle: traditionally wooden, it can be shaved and wrapped in ribbon
Wedding brooms are a tradition with roots in African, Celtic, and Pagan cultures. The broom is often stored by the front or back door of a home and symbolises a threshold—leaping from your old single life into your new married life. The handle of a broom is somewhat phallic in shape, and the brush is shaped like a woman's skirt, symbolising fertility and union.
The handle of a wedding broom is traditionally made of wood. You can prepare the handle by shaving it down and removing any labels or branding. Clean the handle to ensure it is free of dust and dirt. Then, you can start wrapping the ribbon around it. Choose a ribbon that matches your wedding colours or opt for a mix of complementary hues. Start by tying a knot at the top of the broom handle. Then, wrap the ribbon around the handle, overlapping slightly as you go. Use hot glue to secure the ribbon in place at regular intervals. Continue wrapping until you reach the bottom of the handle and secure the end with another knot and hot glue.
You can further decorate your wedding broom by adding dried or silk flowers, lace, intricate beading, or other decorative elements that resonate with you and your partner. On Etsy, you can find wedding brooms made from various materials, including straw, wood, and dried flowers. You can also find personalised and custom-made wedding brooms on Etsy.
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Bristles: natural bristles made from broom corn, twigs or branches
Natural bristles made from broom corn, twigs, branches, grasses, flower stems, rushes, or vines are all options for the bristles of your wedding broom. If you want to use twigs or branches, it's best to find ones that are roughly the same length and fairly straight. You can also incorporate grasses, flower stems, and rushes for a more natural look.
Broom corn is another option for natural bristles. To use broom corn, separate the bristles into four bundles and attach each bundle to the handle. You can use beeswaxed twine or vines to attach the bundles. Then, wrap the bristles with vine and weave the vine between the bristles to stabilise them.
If you're looking for a more natural look for your wedding broom, you can simply find a branch with attractive bark and leave it as is. You can also add decorations to the handle, such as ribbon, twine, or other embellishments that match your wedding colours or theme.
When creating your wedding broom, it's important to consider the length of the handle before attaching the bristles. The finished broom should be long enough so that everyone jumping over it has a bit of the broom in front of them. You can also purchase a pre-made broom and decorate it with natural bristles. Craft stores often sell natural straw brooms designed for crafting, which are easier to decorate due to the manipulability of the bristles.
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Flowers: dried or silk flowers to match the wedding theme
Flowers are an essential part of a wedding broom, and you can use dried or silk flowers to match your wedding theme. Dried flowers are a popular choice for wedding brooms, as they are natural and can be easily incorporated into the design. You can use dried flower stems, petals, or even whole flowers to add texture and colour to your broom. Silk flowers are another option and can add a luxurious and elegant touch to your wedding broom. They are available in a wide range of colours and varieties, so you can easily find silk flowers that match your wedding colours or theme. For example, if you are having a tropical-themed wedding, you can use silk tropical flowers such as hibiscus or birds of paradise.
When choosing the flowers for your wedding broom, consider the overall colour scheme and theme of your wedding. If you are having a rustic-themed wedding, for instance, dried flowers in soft, muted colours such as beige, cream, and light pink would complement the theme beautifully. For a more glamorous or elegant wedding, you could use silk flowers in rich, deep colours such as burgundy, navy, or gold.
The type of flowers you choose for your wedding broom can also be significant. For example, roses are a popular choice as they symbolise love and passion. Calla lilies, on the other hand, represent beauty and rebirth. You could also choose flowers that have a special meaning to you and your partner, such as the flowers from your first date or the flowers that were in season when you first met.
In addition to the flowers themselves, you can also use ribbons, cloth, wire, or twine to secure and decorate your wedding broom. These materials can be used to match or complement the colours of the flowers and add extra visual interest to the design. For example, if you are using dried flowers in a fall-themed wedding, you could use twine and ribbons in autumnal colours such as orange, brown, and deep red.
Ultimately, the choice of flowers for your wedding broom should reflect your personal style and the overall theme of your wedding. Whether you choose dried or silk flowers, or a combination of both, your wedding broom is sure to be a beautiful and unique addition to your special day.
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Ribbons: silk ribbons to match the wedding colours
The wedding broom is a meaningful part of the ceremony, symbolizing the transition from single to married life. The broom itself can be made from natural materials such as twigs or branches, or you can opt for a traditional straw broom. The handle is often made of wood, with natural bristles.
To personalize your wedding broom, you can add decorative elements such as silk ribbons, flowers, intricate beading, or lace. Choose silk ribbons that match your wedding colours to intertwine with the hands during the ceremony. You can create intricate patterns with the ribbons, or simply attach bows. Select ribbons that complement the overall floral theme of your wedding or your bouquet. You can attach the ribbons to the broom bristles or wrap them around the handle, securing them with hot glue at regular intervals.
If you want to incorporate other decorative elements, consider adding silk flowers, lace, or other embellishments. You can attach these directly to the bristles or create a floral arrangement at the base of the handle. You can even incorporate lace appliques or doilies for an elegant touch.
Remember to keep the length of the finished broom in mind. It should be long enough so that everyone jumping it has a bit of the broom in front of them. You can also create miniature brooms as wedding favors, decorating them with smaller ribbons and other embellishments.
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Other decorations: lace, beading, pearls, or other decorative elements
Wedding brooms can be decorated with a variety of materials, including lace, beading, and pearls. Other decorative elements can include silk ribbons, dried or silk flowers, and other embellishments that match the wedding theme and colour scheme.
Lace is a delicate and elegant fabric that can be wrapped around the broom handle or used to create intricate patterns on the broom. It can be glued in place or wrapped around the handle in a spiral pattern, creating a romantic and whimsical look.
Beading is another way to add a touch of glamour and sparkle to a wedding broom. Small beads can be glued or sewn onto the broom in intricate patterns, creating a unique and eye-catching design. Larger beads can also be used to create a bold statement.
Pearls are a classic and elegant choice for wedding broom decorations. They can be glued individually or strung together to create a garland that can be wrapped around the broom handle. Pearls come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colours, allowing for a range of design options.
Other decorative elements can include silk ribbons, which can be wrapped around the broom handle or tied in bows. Ribbons can also be used to attach meaningful charms or pendants to the broom. Dried or silk flowers can be glued to the broom, adding a natural and romantic touch. Modern brooms may also incorporate chiffon, faux flowers, and sparkly elements.
The decorations chosen for a wedding broom can be a reflection of the couple's personality, cultural heritage, and wedding theme. Some couples may opt for a simple and elegant design, while others may prefer a more extravagant and decorative broom. Ultimately, the choice of decorations should be a reflection of the couple's unique style and the symbolism they wish to incorporate into their wedding ceremony.
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Frequently asked questions
Jumping over a wedding broom is a symbolic tradition that has its roots in the history of enslaved Africans in America. During slavery, enslaved Africans were not legally allowed to marry, so they developed their own customs to recognize and celebrate their unions. Jumping the broom was a tradition that emerged as a way for enslaved couples to symbolize their commitment to each other. The broom is also said to symbolize the threshold, leaping from your old single life into your new married life.
You will need a broom with a long wooden handle and natural bristles, ribbon or fabric of your choice, dried or silk flowers, lace, or other decorative elements, scissors, and hot glue.
First, choose a broom that suits your taste. You can find brooms of various styles and materials at craft stores or online. Next, clean the handle and remove any labels or branding. Then, attach the ribbon by tying a knot at the top of the handle and wrapping the ribbon around it, securing it with hot glue. Finally, add flowers and other decorations using hot glue.
You can find wedding brooms for sale on Etsy, or you can contact a designer like Candace Williams of Pretty Prints Etc. to create a custom broom for your wedding.
