Wente Vineyards in Livermore by Peter Bruce Photo

By Peter Bruce posted on Sunday, September 5, 2010 @ 8:48 AM - (General)

Pamela and marquis had there wedding at the beautiful Wente Vineyards in Livermore which is surrounded by beautiful grapevines and foothills, Wente Vineyards has become one of the most sought after wedding venues in the Bay Area. Featuring a beautifully landscaped lawn for outdoor weddings and a historic California, mission-style event center, Wente Vineyards is the place for a truly memorable wedding.I like the fact that they great true to tradition and jumped the broom.

"Jumping the Broom" is a symbol of sweeping away the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of new beginnings.Peter Bruce Photo

Jumping the broom has become one of the most popular African traditions at weddings-traditional and African-centered. History tells us that the ancestral roots of this ritual began deep in the heart of Africa. It's original purpose and significance has been lost over the years because of the association with slavery.

This broom ceremony represents the joining of two families, it's showing respect and pays homage to those who came before us and paved the way. Therefore it should be practiced with honor for your ancestors and the beauty of our rich heritage. During the slave "transitions" we were not allowed to practice many of the traditional rituals of our past therefore, much of our heritage was lost during this time. However, a few were considered harmless and allowed.

Today "Broom Jumping" is a ritual, handed down from generation to generation to remind us of a time when our vows were not legally sanctioned. During slavery, our ancestors sought the legitimacy of marriage by jumping over the broom and into the bonds of domesticity. For our ancestors, this small ritual was a legal and bonding act connecting them with the heritage of the home land and giving legitimacy,dignity and strength to their unions. In there eyes this union was now sanctioned by "the almighty"

It is said that broom jumping comes from an African Tribal Marriage Ritual of placing sticks on the ground representing the couple's new home together, I have also heard it said that the spray of the broom represents all of us scattered and the handle represents the almighty who holds us together...... You decide

Today's ceremony can be performed at the wedding, after the minister pronounces the couple man and wife or at the reception, just after the bridal party enters the reception area.
Should you decide to incorporate this wonderful tradition in you wedding remember to do it with the honor and dignity it represents.

Please enjoy some of the photo and check back in a week or so to seee them all

Cheers Peter Bruce Photo