WEDDING BROOMS

JUMPING THE BROOM     In times of slavery in this country, enslaved African couples were denied all rights, including the right to be formally married and live together. Because they could not legally marry, they created their own rituals to honor their unions. So to make a public declaration of their love and commitment, a man and a woman would literally jump over a broom into matrimony. The jumping of the broom is a symbol of sweeping away the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of a new beginning. Many couples today are choosing to include this ceremony in their own wedding. In a ceremony dating back to the 1600s derived from Africa, The straws of the broom represent family and the handle represents the Almighty.

Diana and Marlow Gates jumping their own wedding broom.

A Fancy handled Sweep size Wedding Broom. Approx. 65" tall $750.00

A simple handled hearth size Wedding Broom.  Approx. 36" tall $250.00

Your Friendswood Brooms Wedding Broom can be decorated by your florist to match your ceremony.

Ordering a Wedding Broom

Our Unique embracing Wedding Broom design makes a beautiful symbol of two coming together as one.  To me, the brooms almost look as if they are dancing or hugging.  I came up with this broom design when Diana and I got married.  We are happy to custom make a wedding broom for your special day. 

These wedding brooms are one of a kind works of art and take several weeks to complete. 

Our wedding brooms start at $250.00 for a small hearth sized broom and go up to $1,250.00 for an extra large fancy sweeper sized broom.   Decide what size you want (hearth vs. sweep) and how fancy you want the handle to be (plain and straight vs. vine wrapped and twisted).  Once you have a size and approximate price in mind call or email us and we will email pictures of wedding brooms we have in the works.   Sometimes, on rare occasions, I have one or two finished in stock but, for the most part, I have to custom make each one as it is ordered. 

Here is a typical example of wedding brooms in the works.  You can expect to get a picture like this when you call to place an order.  It shows a finished Box Elder fancy sweeper ($750), a Maple fancy sweep handle ($800 when finished), a Bittersweet vine fancy hearth that still needs to be sewn ($350 when finished) and a small fancy Camphor and Bittersweet hearth handle ($275 when finished).   

When you are ready to order your special wedding broom please call us at 828-683-9521 or e-mail me at marlow@friendswoodbrooms.com

Here are two large Fancy Wedding Brooms that sold recently.  The first Wedding Broom is Cherry with a Bittersweet vine wrapped spiral sewn in dark thread.  ($650)  The second Wedding Broom is Maple with a Honeysuckle vine wrapped sprial and sewn in light thread.  (Note the carved handle that shows the light and dark of the wood,  $825.)