A fully decorated broom can be purchased at ethnic stores, or a regular household broom will suffice. Broom sizes will vary, but it doesn't matter which you choose. If you decide to use your own broom and decorate it yourself be sure it coordinates with your wedding colors.

Using your own broom can also be a great bonding activity for the bridesmaids, perhaps the night, or week before the wedding.

A fully decorated broom can be purchased at ethnic stores, or a regular household broom will suffice.

Broom sizes will vary, but it doesn't matter which you choose. If you decide to use your own broom and decorate it yourself, be sure it coordinates with your wedding colors. Using your own broom can also be a great bonding activity for the bridesmaids, perhaps the night, or week before the wedding.

Feel free to use bows, flowers (artificial or real), or other trinkets to make it unique. But don't overdo it. You'll probably want this for a keepsake in your home. Another idea is to have a basket full of ribbon pieces at the wedding or reception and allow guests to tie ribbons around the broom before you begin the ceremony. This allows the audience to participate, which is in keeping with the African tradition of community involvement.

CEREMONY
Have your host ask family members or friends to form a circle around the couple as they stand in front of the broom on the floor.

"Let us give our support to this new family who are formed by  the joining  and the combining of two families, and we ask there community to support the couple."

"As Mr. & Mrs _____________  jump this broom, let them look forward to a new life and home together as husband and wife." 

"The jumping of the broom is a symbol of sweeping away of the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of a new beginning."

"Would everyone count 1, 2, 3... Jump!