Where does jumping the broom come from?
Jumping the broom has roots in West African and African American wedding traditions, especially among Black couples. It symbolizes sweeping away the old and stepping into a new shared life together. The practice appears in historical records and continues as a meaningful tradition today.
The exact historical origin is debated by scholars, but it appears in West African wedding ceremonies and has deep significance in African American tradition. Some historians trace it to the 18th and 19th centuries as a way couples marked commitment when legal marriage wasn't available under slavery. Others point to pre-slavery African wedding rituals. What's universal: it's about transition and new beginnings. Couples jump the broom to symbolize sweeping away the past, stepping together into the future, and establishing a new household. The broom itself can be a family heirloom, a broom a grandmother decorated, or something commissioned from a craftsperson. We've photographed broom jumps where the broom was wrapped with family colors, used by three generations.
When during the ceremony should the broom jump happen?
Typically right after the vows or rings are exchanged and the officiant pronounces you married. The timing lets you celebrate as a newly married couple, which adds real emotion and symbolism to the moment as your first joint action together.
Most couples jump the broom immediately after the officiant says "I now pronounce you..." or after the final "I do." It's the first action you take as a married couple, which gives it symbolic weight. The broom sits at the altar or is brought forward by a designated person, a parent, sibling, or wedding party member. You both approach it from one side (usually standing at the altar rail), hold hands or the officiant's hand if you want grounding, and jump over together. We've seen couples do a small hop, a big athletic jump, or even a dual-handed leap. The photographer needs to be positioned to catch it, so let them know this is coming. Some couples incorporate it into a longer exit, they jump, then walk back down the aisle together.
Can family members be involved in the broom jump, or is it just the couple?
It's typically the couple alone, but variations exist across different traditions and families. Some families designate a person to present the broom, or mothers hold the broom while the couple jumps over. This adds family involvement while keeping the moment centered on the couple.
The core moment is the couple jumping together, but cultural traditions vary by family. In some traditions, parents or other family members hold the broom stable so the couple jumps over their extended hands. In others, a designated person (often a parent or elder) brings the broom forward, places it down, then steps back. Some couples have their wedding party hold the broom, turning it into a group moment. If you're thinking about involving family, ask your parents or elders: "Is there a traditional way we should do this?" You might learn about a family ritual you didn't know about. We've photographed ceremonies where a couple's mothers jointly held the broom, we caught the moment of all three women looking at each other with real emotion.
Where do you get a broom, and how do couples typically decorate one?
Some couples use an inherited family broom, others buy a new broom from a craft supply or online seller, and many have a craftsperson create a custom one. Decoration is simple and personal: ribbon, flowers, beads, written names, or whatever reflects your style.
There's no shortage of options. A practical broom can be decorated with ribbon, flowers, greenery, or beads. Some couples tie the broom with fabric in their wedding colors or add a small bouquet to the handle. Others write their names on a ribbon and wrap it around. Some add pearls, crystals, shells (if you're near water), or family heirlooms like a brooch or locket. A few couples commission a craftsperson, especially Black-owned artisans who specialize in wedding brooms, to create a one-of-a-kind piece. Online sellers on Etsy offer pre-decorated brooms, which saves time if DIY isn't your vibe. Keep weight in mind, you'll be jumping over it, so something light works better. A broom is something you'll keep afterward.
Is it okay to incorporate a broom jump if you're not sure it's part of your specific family tradition?
Yes, absolutely. A broom jump is increasingly common across different communities, and it's meaningful if the couple feels connected to it. You don't need permission, but asking parents or elders about your specific family history is lovely and adds richness.
There's sometimes anxiety around "am I allowed to do this?" The answer is yes. Your wedding, your ceremony, your choices. If you feel drawn to a broom jump, do it. That said, if you're part of a specific cultural or family tradition where broom jumps have history, asking a parent or elder is worthwhile, not because you need permission, but because they might tell you something beautiful about your family. They might say, "Yes, my mom jumped the broom," or "Here's how our family did it," which adds meaning. Some families don't have broom-jump history, and that's fine too. A couple can create the tradition for their own family.
What should we tell the photographer about capturing the broom jump?
Give them a heads-up that it's coming and where you'll be positioned, since the jump happens fast and they need to be ready. The best moments are usually the jump itself and the immediate celebration after, a quick, high-emotion window they won't want to miss.
Your photographer needs to know this is happening so they're positioned to catch it. Let them know approximately when in the ceremony it'll occur ("right after we're pronounced married"), whether you're planning a big athletic jump or something smaller, and whether family will be involved. Position matters: your photographer likely wants an angle that catches both of you mid-jump with the broom visible, plus your faces and the emotion. If you're jumping at the altar, they might frame it to include the officiant and venue behind you. After the jump, the celebration moment, you two hugging or turning to face guests, is also gold. Some photographers capture the jump, then reposition.
