(Updated August, 2026)
Jumping the broom is a historic wedding tradition with origins that are still debated today. Some historians associate the custom with Wales and other Celtic traditions, while others trace it to the Romani people living in Wales. Over time, the ritual also became deeply significant in African American history, particularly during the era of slavery in the United States when enslaved couples were often denied the legal right to marry.
Because the tradition appears in several cultures and has evolved over centuries, no single origin has been universally accepted. Today, jumping the broom is practiced around the world as a meaningful way for couples to symbolize the beginning of married life together.
Welsh, Celtic, and Romani Traditions
One of the earliest written references to jumping the broom dates to the 18th century and is connected to the Romani people living in Wales. Others believe the custom originated with the Welsh themselves before spreading among neighboring Celtic communities. Variations of the tradition have been practiced by Welsh families, Celtic revival groups, Druids, and the nomadic Romani.
In parts of Wales, common-law broomstick weddings were known as priodas coes ysgub, a centuries-old custom that reflected the importance of the broom as a household symbol.
Jumping the Broom in African American History
Another well-known tradition associates jumping the broom with African American weddings during slavery. Because enslaved people were generally prohibited from entering into legally recognized marriages, many couples held their own ceremonies before family and friends, sealing their commitment by stepping over a broom together.
Some historians believe this custom developed independently, while others suggest it was adapted from existing British or Welsh folk traditions. Regardless of its exact origins, jumping the broom became a powerful symbol of commitment, dignity, and family despite overwhelming hardship.
The Besom Broom
The broom traditionally used in these ceremonies was often a besom broom, made by binding twigs or straw around a sturdy wooden handle.
During the 18th century, besom brooms were commonly placed just inside the doorway of a home with the bristles pointing upward to ward off evil spirits and protect the household. Sometimes they were hung above the doorway with the bristles facing the entrance as a symbol of good fortune. As one of the homemaker's essential tools, the broom naturally became associated with caring for the home and beginning a new household.
Today, many couples view jumping the broom as representing the start of a shared life together while symbolically sweeping away their former lives, worries, and challenges.
Four Ways Couples Jump the Broom
Although the origins of jumping the broom continue to be debated, modern couples have embraced the tradition in many different ways. Wedding planners frequently incorporate it into ceremonies or receptions as a meaningful symbolic ritual.
Some common variations include:
- Place the broom at an angle near the rear door of the church. The groom jumps first, followed by the bride.
- Lay the broom on the floor, allowing the bride and groom to jump over it together while holding hands.
- Place the broom across the threshold of the couple's new home, with each spouse taking turns stepping or jumping over it.
- Have the groom carry the bride over the broom as they enter their home together.
Another historic variation involved the couple jumping over a crossed broom and sword held by the best man and maid of honor. The sword symbolized cutting ties with the past, while the broom represented sweeping away former obligations as the couple crossed into a new stage of life.
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Jumping the Broom Today
Many modern couples personalize their ceremony by decorating a broom to match their wedding colors or reflect their family heritage. Others purchase handcrafted ceremonial brooms created specifically for weddings.
Some couples who wish to avoid the broom because of perceived Wiccan associations choose instead to step over a ceremonial sword or another meaningful object that better reflects their beliefs.
Whether viewed as a Welsh folk custom, a Celtic tradition, a Romani practice, or an important part of African American wedding history, jumping the broom continues to symbolize leaving the past behind and beginning a new life together. Its enduring appeal lies in its simple yet powerful message: two people crossing a threshold into marriage, united in hope for the future.
If you enjoy learning about historic wedding customs, you may also enjoy our article on Barefoot Weddings: An Ancient Celtic Wedding Tradition, which explores another fascinating marriage tradition rooted in Celtic history.
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