Celebrating Love and Heritage: African-American Wedding Traditions

February is Black History Month and as an African-American woman who is a Nashville

wedding officiant, I wanted to focus this month’s blog on love, culture and the historical aspects

of African-American weddings.

African-American weddings have a rich culture steeped with significance, combining history, family, spirituality and creativity into a celebration like none other. Let’s look at some unique rituals that make African-American weddings meaningful.

Traditional Wedding

Dress and Suit:

African-American couples who don’t want to dress in the traditional American white dress and suit can instead show their culture in the traditional African wedding attire. African couples wear traditional woven garments representing their tribe and roots. Many things make a wedding beautiful but no matter the tribe or country the brides dress is still the biggest splendor at the ceremony.

Libation Ceremony

A libation ceremony is the pouring of a liquid, wine, water or some other symbolic liquid, as an act that pays homage to the ancestors. Ancestors are an important part of African culture who are invited to participate in public gatherings. The ceremony is done at the beginning of the wedding honoring those who came before. A speech or prayer is offered while the liquid is being poured into the earth if the wedding is outside, in a live plant if inside or in each of the four directions.

Jumping the Broom

One of the most iconic African American traditions is “Jumping the Broom.” Although it is actually unclear where this ritual began, most people identify it with African-Americans during the ear of slavery. Since slaves did not have the legal right to marry, many of them practiced “jumping the broom” to symbolize their marriage. The broom, which is beautifully decorated with flowers, ribbons, jewels, and shells, represent the sweeping away of the past and leaping into a new life together. Jumping the broom takes place at the very end of the ceremony, where the broom is place in front of the couple after they have been pronounced and they jump together.

Tying the Knot

“Tying the Knot” is a phrase that is well known but it has its roots in an African ritual. A Kente cloth string of cowrie shells, which is thought to bring luck or fortune, braided grass or a decorated rope is used. The knot represents the binding of the bride and groom uniting them in marriage. The couple will tie the rope around their wrist prior to saying their vows, as the couple exchange their vows, the officiant ties their wrist together to seal their commitment. Some religious couples can braid three cords into a rope representing their union together and with God.

Money Dance

This tradition is found in many cultures and has made its way to African-American wedding receptions. As the couple dances to traditional music or the music of their choice, the guest will then toss cash at the couple. Sometimes it’s called a “money spray” this is the guest way of bestowing prosperity and blessings on the couple.

Taste the 4 elements

This ritual originated from the Yoruba people in Nigeria, Benin and Togo. During the ceremony the couple will taste four flavors representing four stages in their marriage: honey for sweetness, vinegar for bitterness, lemon for sourness and cayenne for spiciness. As the couple taste these flavors, symbolically they are saying they will stay together in good times and hard times.

Honoring Sororities and Fraternities

Sororities and Fraternities play an important part in the life of A-A. The Divine Nine as they are affectionally called represent the Black Greek letter organizations. They are Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma and Iota Phi Theta. They have had a deep influence on Black culture, a commitment to service in local communities and throughout the world and serve as a great source of fellowship. For brides and grooms who are members of a sorority or fraternity, this is a great time to celebrate with your sisters and brothers during the reception by having a special “stroll” or step.

Every wedding is a celebration of love but a black wedding is also a celebration of a rich culture. As couples weave these customs into their ceremonies, they create profound connections to their roots and a testament to resilience, love and cultural pride. These traditions make each wedding a unique and vibrant reflection of African-American heritage and love. Professional wedding officiants have experience with various rituals and traditions and can offer guidance. At Living Ceremonies, your Nashville officiant, we would love to add any of these to your ceremony to make it memorable, meaningful and marvelous.