What is a handfasting?
Jumping The Broom
Jumping the broom is a symbolic wedding ritual that marks the beginning of a new chapter.
Simple in action but rich in meaning, it represents the moment a couple steps forward together — leaving the past behind and entering married life as one.
What Is Jumping The Broom?
During a jumping the broom ceremony, a broom is placed on the ground and the couple jumps over it together.
This usually takes place at the end of the ceremony, A beautiful visual of the transition into married life and the start of a shared journey.
The act itself is simple, but it carries a strong sense of movement — a clear step forward into something new.
Origins
Jumping the broom has roots in several cultural traditions, most notably within African American wedding customs, where it holds deep historical and cultural significance.
It has also appeared in other parts of the world, often associated with marking transitions and new beginnings.
Today, it is included in ceremonies in a variety of ways — sometimes as a nod to heritage, and sometimes for its symbolism.
How It Can Be Personalised
There are many ways to make this ritual your own.
Some couples choose to decorate the broom with ribbons, flowers, or meaningful colours.
Others may include family members in the moment, or combine it with other symbolic elements within the ceremony.
From soft florals and trailing ribbons to colours that reflect your story, the broom can be styled to feel completely your own.
The simplicity of the ritual allows it to be adapted easily — whether you want it to feel light and celebratory, or more reflective and symbolic.
Jumping The Broom At Our Venue
At The Olde England Kiosk, jumping the broom can be incorporated naturally into your ceremony within our Tudor-style hall.
The space allows for a clear, meaningful moment — whether included as a joyful finish to the ceremony or as part of a wider sequence of symbolic rituals.
For couples planning an alternative wedding ceremony in Lancashire, it offers a simple but powerful way to mark the beginning of your next chapter.
We’re always happy to support you in shaping your ceremony, so everything comes together in a way that feels natural and right for you.
Ready To Plan?
If you’re thinking of holding an alternative ceremony, we’d love to help you explore how it could come together at The Olde England Kiosk.
Whether you already have a clear idea, or are just beginning to consider something a little different, we’re here to support you in creating a ceremony that feels natural, meaningful, and entirely your own.