A Wedding Guide for Women of Color Volume 4 Issue 1
the
Broom www.jumpingthebroomsc.com
What is Jumping the Broom? It is an African American tradition relating to wedding ceremonies. Jumping the Broom signifies a remembrance of cultural heritage and the beginning of making a home together.
Contents 4
From the Desk of the Founder
8
Greek Wedding Traditions
12
Vegetarian Weddings . . . Different Strokes for Different Folks
16
Is it Bad Luck For the Groom to See the Bride Before the Wedding?
Cover photo credit: A & B Photo Service Cover model’s dress: Jordan’s Modern Bride & Groom Cover photo edited by: Dorion Montrez e:DorionMontrez@gmail.com
Jumping the Broom ~ 3
the
Broom
Founder / Publisher Anita Brewer
Layout & Web Designer Leod Designs
www.LeodDesigns.com
wwwwwww
For Advertising Information Contact: jumpingthebroomsc@gmail.com 803.238.4749 Jumping the Broom publisher and advertisers are not responsible for liable, misprints, typographical errors, and misinformation herein contained. We reserve the right to reject, edit, or accept any articles, advertisements, or information to be printed in the publication. Jumping the Broom believes that the information contained in this publication is accurate. However, the information is not warranted and Jumping the Broom does not assume any liability or responsibility for any damages resulting from inaccurate or erroneous information. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. wwwwwww
All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. 5000 copies printed twice each year. © Jumping the Broom 2013
4 ~ June 2012
From the Desk of the Founder I am filled with joy! First and foremost I have to thank Jesus Christ for not just giving me the vision to produce this entire business (first the magazine and then the bridal show), but providing for me while this business grows. Small businesses understand that not every door will be opened on the first try, but if you just hang in there (in other words –just stand) your dreams will be realized. Thanks Frank for nudging me to just try Him and see what He would do for me. YES, my prayers have been answered…Jumping the Broom is a success, because the businesses that advertised and/or vended are a success! And that’s the whole mission of what I do. I want YOUR business to thrive! Next, I have to thank YOU for attending the 3rd Annual Jumping the Broom Bridal Show! YOU made it a success and YOU made the vendors feel great by visiting their tables, asking questions and using their services for your weddings. Your support of the vendors at the show has been outstanding and that’s why everyone is talking about coming back to this years’ show! Thank you BRIDES of South Carolina! I have to thank the vendors for showing up and showing out! WOW, the table decorations and the camaraderie between businesses was nothing less than exceptional. We need to network more with each other! I believe that if we have a good network we will be even more victorious. Thanks to the many, many sponsors who may not have had all the money in the world to support this endeavor, but thought it not robbery to give to this cause. You are incredible and I appreciate you soooo much! Thanks to the sponsors that traded services – I absolutely LOVE YOU – and I will see you in October! And a special WooooooHOOOOOOO!!! to our host hotel and title sponsor the DoubleTree by Hilton on Bush River Road. If you are looking for beautiful, comfortable and reasonably priced rooms for your guests stay while in town for your wedding… or you are looking for a reception site… you MUST consider the DoubleTree by Hilton! I promise you won’t be disappointed! From the rooms, to the conference center this hotel is beautiful! And a big shout-out to all of the staff at KISS 103.1FM, our exclusive media sponsor! YOUR exposure helped bring out the crowd and I cannot thank you enough! I look forward to seeing you at the 4th Annual Jumping the Broom Bridal Show which will be held on October 20, 2013 from 2pm-5pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 2100 Bush River Road in Columbia! Please everyone continue to shop local. You know what I believe…”if you are in business and thriving then I will be in business too!” Let’s refer each other anytime we can! Peace, Anita
the
Broom
Jordan’s Modern Bride & Groom Mac’s on Main
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Bridal Show Sponsors DoubleTree by Hilton KISS 103.1FM Mac’s On Main Jordan’s Modern Bride & Groom
Benedict-Allen Community Dev. Corp. BME Screen Printing Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office Dazzle (Events) by Andrea Marion & Sylvia Hanna/State Farm Leod Designs Righteous Legacy Entertainment Group
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Bridal Show Vendors
A.C. Jackson Video & Photography Adrienne Harvin/Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry Amelia’s Jewelry Box Angela Picota/Unique Creations & More Anointed Hands Therapeutic Massage
Anthony Montgomery/Life Is Art Studios Arlene Anderson/Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry Beverly Williams/Omnitrition by Bev Bible Way Church of Atlas Road Capital Senior Center Clear Vision Media Columbia Community Arts Centre Cutie’s Tailoring & Alterations Dedra Harvin/ The Ivory Magnolia Desmond Pringle/Gardenia’s Cakes Dr. Karen Johnson/Ardyss Int’l Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of SC Elegant Weddings by George EvolvHealth/Kathy Weathersbee Gail Turner/Consultative Insurance Group Glynis Martin/JAG-L Band Gregg Free/Musician Historic Columbia Foundation Jenise Etheredge/Help Me Plan Johnny Green/Disc Jockey Jolandra White/Mary Kay Kelvin Bonnette/A Glimmer of Grace Kia’s House of Unity Lakisha Dantzler/Timely Expressions Leslie Williams/Ms. Scotto’s
LR Videos Melissa Watson/Simply Sophisticated Event Planning Monica Addison/Thirty-One Gifts Monica Scriven/Extravagant Designs Monika Hilton/The Cake Lady Nivia Hayes/A Dreamy Photography & Video Obsession Fashions Petrina Williams/Pampered Chef Planning Our Day Platinum Limousine Pure Romance by Pamela R.P. Favor/Weddings by Pierre Sekecca Davis/Planned Occasion Shawnta James/BJ Linens Services & More Slumber Parties by Shera Stephanie Jenkins/Premier Designs, Inc. Style Exhibition The Event Hall Mike Rhodes/Singer Linda Wilson/ Platinum Pomegranate Davilla McQueary/Slumber Parties by Devilla
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If asked, most couples would say it's important to protect the financial future of their families in the event of a spouse's unexpected death. Yet 74 percent of couples rarely or never discuss the topic of life insurance as part of their financial planning strategy, according to a 2010 State Farm® Life Insurance Study. A 2011 study from finance research firm LIMRA revealed that 41 percent of U.S. adults don't even have life insurance. That doesn't mean it's not on their minds. Sixty-two percent of respondents said uncertainty in the economy makes having life insurance even more important than it had previously been. Bringing up the subject can be difficult. It may be that discussing the unexpected death of a spouse is awkward. Or that one spouse already feels the pressure of being the primary wage earner. Or that a spouse who has recently lost a job will react negatively to the topic. But whatever the obstacles, talking about life insurance is critical to both partners -- even if one earns substantially more than the other, or one doesn't earn an income.
6 ~ January 2013
To start the discussion, try these tips: ■ Talk before you're in a financial crisis. Pick a time when you're not stressed, and treat the topic as you would any other aspect of your financial planning. ■ Make a plan that incorporates life insurance as a primary component of your overall financial strategy. Having a plan in place can be reassuring if your circumstances change. ■ Set a monthly budget and learn what options you can afford. Schedule follow-up evaluations and adjust your coverage as your needs, family situation and income change. ■ Consult an insurance expert who can provide an outside perspective and make the discussion less stressful. ■ Focus your discussion on the love you have for your family and your desire to protect it from financial burdens, rather than on the possible death of a spouse. Contact your State Farm agent to learn more about the life insurance options that protect your family's future. State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY or WI) State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI) Bloomington, IL
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Wedding Tradition - Did you know: Wearing White The ancient Romans chose white as their color of celebration over 2,000 years ago. And as hard as it is to believe, it wasn't always worn for weddings. It wasn't until the Victorian era when Queen Victoria wore white when she married her beloved Prince Albert that white wedding dresses became all the rage. In those days, white meant purity and virginity, but today it is again the color of joy and celebration -- which means that any bride can wear it, whether it's her first wedding or her fifth.
Jumping the Broom ~ 7
G
reek Wedding Traditions
By: Megan Hunt
I
t is a Greek wedding tradition for a marital ceremony to take place on a Sunday. Wedding ceremonies can’t be performed directly after Easter and Christmas or during periods of fasting. Greek Orthodox wedding traditions dictate that marriage is a union between two people in love and not a contractual agreement; therefore vows are not exchanged. Traditional Greek wedding dresses are white in colour.
Dowry It is a Greek wedding tradition for the mother of the bride to spend time preparing a dowry to Tuxedo & Bridal Gown provided by: Jordan’s Modern Bride & Groom Photo provided by: A & B Photo Service
present to her daughter. The dowry will include items like sheets, towels and clothing to help her daughter start her new life as a married woman.
Baby-rolling Ceremony Greek wedding traditions and customs often vary from region to region, but the baby-rolling ceremony is a well-practiced ritual. Babies belonging to the bride and groom’s family and friends will be placed onto the matrimonial bed and gently rolled from side to side. The bed will then be decorated with rose petals, coins and sugar-coated almonds which are thought to bring fertility and prosperity to the bride and groom.
Traditional Greek Wedding Ceremony A traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony is usually divided into two parts: the Betrothal and Crowning. The Betrothal involves the blessing of the wedding rings. It is a Greek wedding tradition for the rings to be worn on the left hand during the
8 ~ January 2013
engagement period, before being swapped over to the right hand once they have been blessed at the wedding ceremony. The crowning is considered to be the main part of a traditional Greek wedding ceremony. Garland wreaths and vines made from silver and gold paper are placed on both the bride and groom’s heads. A white ribbon will then be tied to each crown to symbolise the union between the bride and groom. After the ceremony the crowns are placed in a special box for the bride and groom to keep forever.
Traditional Greek Wedding Dances Dances are an important part of Greek wedding traditions, with a number of performances taking place during the celebrations. A traditional Greek wedding dance known as ‘Isaiah’ is performed by the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony. Their guests will take part in the ‘Kaslamantiano’ dance which is performed in a circle during the reception. Like many other cultures, it is a Greek wedding tradition for the money dance to be performed at the reception. Guests will pin money to the bride and groom as they dance together, wishing them a successful start in marriage. Article Link: http://www.weddinglegend.com/greek-wedding-traditions/
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Jumping the Broom ~ 9
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Lots of people are vegetarians these days, and even if the bride and groom are serious carnivores, they may well have many wedding guests who abstain from eating meat. If the bride or groom happen to be vegetarians, naturally they will want to plan their wedding menu accordingly, but even if they are not, it is very considerate to include some nonmeat options for guests who are vegetarian. Check out these really delicious ideas for vegetarian wedding food‌they are so tasty that you might even find the carnivores choosing them over the steak dinner! Regional and comfort foods are huge wedding trends these days. The great news is that a lot of them can be easily adapted to suit vegetarians. The bar or station works especially well, as it allows each guest to customize his own food. For a Southern style wedding, set up a grits station. Start with plain grits (not instant!) and offer additions like green onions, cheese, butter, grilled vegetables, shrimp, and bacon. This is a crowdpleasing idea, and including the shrimp and bacon will also make it appealing to the meat-eaters in your family. A similar idea is a mashed potato bar, featuring sour cream, butter, bacon bits, scallions, cheese, and steamed broccoli. Like each bride, no two weddings are exactly alike. One bride might favor a formal handmade silk gown with crystal wedding jewelry, and another bride might favor a simple linen dress and funky handmade wedding jewelry. If your style runs to informal and fun, your wedding food should be too. A really fun idea which will appeal to vegetarians and carnivores alike is a pizza station at the cocktail hour. Start with unbaked miniature individual sized pizzas dressed only with sauce, and allow each guest to choose their toppings. The possibilities are virtually endless. Classic toppings like pepperoni and sausage will please the traditionalists, and then there are gourmet toppings like goat cheese and carmelized onions, fresh and shredded mozzarella, mushrooms, onions, peppers, pineapples, fresh basil, and on and on. Have a chef on hand to pop the pizzas into the oven and bring them back out to guests as they are ready. A lot of vegetarians like faux meat and tofu, so you may wish to consider some of them for your
12 ~ June 20122013 January
cont. pg 14
Veget Different St
etarian Weddings . . . Strokes for Different Folks
vegetarian reception options. A tofu stir fry or curry dish would be a great addition to a buffet reception, and would be a true main dish (since a lot of people assume that their vegetarian friends can make do with salad and the vegetable side dishes). For a winter wedding, you could offer vegetarian chili, with or without a meat substitute. Even a mini-taco station at the cocktail hour would be a fun idea and you could include a fake meat cooked with the taco seasoning for guests to build their appetizer with. Although a mini-taco bar may not sound especially elegant, it is likely to be very popular, particularly with the male guests. Pasta is always a safe thing to serve vegetarians, and there are so many delicious varieties. In the fall, a hearty squash ravioli would be sure to delight. Then there are the rich cheesy dishes like manicotti or stuffed shells – yum! In the spring, a light angel hair served with fresh seasonal vegetables and drizzled with olive oil would be lovely. And let’s not forget about mushrooms, which are a great tasting way to make a meatless meal feel substantial. Wild mushrooms are fantastic in pasta or risotto, they combine beautifully with goat cheese and herbs to create an elegant tart, and
14 ~June 2012
a large grilled portobello mushroom in a sauce is as satisfying as a steak (well, almost). With so many truly delicious options, there is no reason why vegetarian wedding guests have to feel like second-class citizens anymore! Author: Look to Bridget Mora for advice on planning your weddings. Article Link: http://wednoir.com/vegetarian-wedding/
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Is it Bad Luck For the Groom to See the Bride Before the Wedding?
T
here is an ancient wedding superstition which says that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding ceremony. Most people still follow this old custom, and even people who already live together will often stay in separate places the night before the wedding “just in case”. On the other hand, the “first look” trend is growing, which says that it is not only fine, but preferable for the bride and groom to be together before the ceremony. Here is a look at both sides of the debate.
photo session. Some brides also like having their pictures done before the ceremony because that is when they look their most perfect. With hair and makeup freshly styled, the bridal gown not yet wrinkled, and her custom jewelry shining, it is true that the bride will never look better than at this moment. Yet, however practical, it can take some of the romance out of the wedding ceremony, so think long and hard before choosing this option.
There is another excellent reason for the groom to wait until the ceremony to see his bride. There is something incredibly moving about the moment when the bride is revealed at the back of the church, on the arm of her father, radiant in her spectacular wedding gown and custom bridal jewelry. For the groom to see his fiance as a bride for the first time at the moment when she walks down the aisle to join him is just incredible. While it is surely very special when he sees her before the wedding, the power of this part of the ceremony is bound to be diminished. For that reason alone, I personally vote for keeping with tradition.
The decision to wait until the start of the ceremony for the bride and groom to see each other for the first time is ultimately a personal choice. It cannot be undone, though, so when in doubt go the traditional route. As long as your choice is well considered and agreed upon by both the bride and groom, it is sure to be the right decision for you.
Another reason for the “first look” is to allow the bride and groom to share a private moment before First of all, there is custom and superstition. Even their marriage ceremony. This can be an excellent if you are not a particularly superstitious person, reason to break with tradition. Perhaps they want you may still feel like it is best not to tempt fate a few minutes alone to whisper their love before by breaking with custom and letting the groom they declare it publicly. Religious couples might see the bride before the wedding. For traditional want to share a prayer asking for a blessing on brides, it is as much as matter of wedding custom their marriage. Very emotional brides or grooms as superstition. This is probably the main reason might need to see their loved one in private first why most couples will stay apart on the wedding to keep the tide of joyous tears at bay during the ceremony. morning.
On the other hand, the “first look” has become increasingly popular in recent years. Many people aren’t genuinely worried about incurring bad luck by letting the bride and groom see one another. Some people like this arrangement for practical reasons. If most of the formal wedding portraits are taken before the start of the ceremony, it frees up time after the service for the bridal party to attend the cocktail hour instead of having to endure a
16 ~ January 2013
Author: Look to Bridget Mora for advice on planning your weddings. Check out how we can help with your bridesmaids gifts and bridal jewelry at Silverlandjewelry.com. As our gift to you, all jewelry orders over $99 receive free shipping. Link: http://wednoir.com/is-it-bad-luck-for-thegroom-to-see-the-bride-before-the-wedding/
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Jumping the Broom ~ 17
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Jumping the Broom ~ 19
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Jumping the Broom ~ 21
Distribution Sites Columbia
Jordan’s Modern Bride and Groom 224 O’Neil Court Jumping the Broom Office & A&B Photo Service studio 2601 Read Street
(Benedict College Business Dev. Ctr.)
State Farm Marion Hanna 1700 Decker Blvd
This list includes a few of the distribution points and the city they’re located in (all in South Carolina). When visiting these great locations, be sure to tell them you’re there to get your FREE Jumping the Broom: A Wedding Guide for Women of Color magazine. All advertisers in this issue have copies too! So, stop in to visit! If you would like to become a distribution point for the BEST wedding magazine in South Carolina, call us!
22 ~ January 2013
Mac’s on Main 1710 Main Street Forrest & Grant Photo Imaging 3310 Forest Drive
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Professional Hair Designs 811 Whittaker Pkwy
Jumping the Broom ~ 23