An African-American Wedding is rich in culture and traditions. Here are 12 traditions that bring out the unity between the couple and their families, too.

 

• Purple and Gold

 

These are popular African-American wedding colors. In African culture, purple and gold are colors of royalty.

 

• The Gele

 

This traditional headpiece replaces the bride’s wedding veil.

 

• Jumping the Broom

 

The bride and groom jump over an intricately decorated broom to publicly announce their union. The broom is often hanged in the couple’s home as a reminder of their wedding day.

 

• Taste of the Four Elements

 

These 4 flavors are often incorporated in cupcakes and they are cayenne (hot), vinegar (bitter), lemon (sour) and honey (sweet). The couple take a bite of each of the cupcakes to which represent the 4 emotions of married life.

 

• Feeding the Family

 

After the couple has taken a bite of each of the four elements, they offer each other’s family members with unleavened bread with the 4 elements.

 

• Kola Nut

 

The Kola Nut has medicinal use. In a wedding the bride, groom and both their parents eat a kola nut. This is a symbol of that both families now have connected lives and will help heal each other spiritually and physically.

 

• Crossing Sticks

 

Each holding a long stick, the bride and broom would cross the stick to symbolize that their new life together will be strong just like the tree where the branches were taken.

 

• Liberating

 

During the ceremony, alcohol is poured on the north, south, east and west as names of family members who have just passed away are called and a prayer is recited. This is done by the oldest member of the family.

 

• Tying the Knot

 

The person officiating the ceremony ties a knot on the wrist of the bride and the groom with a of kente cloth to symbolize the bond between them. This is done before the vows.

 

• Cutting the Cord

 

The newlyweds cut the cord to symbolize that they are breaking ties with their families to start a new life committed to each other.

 

• Cowrie Shells

 

They used to represent money and are now used as decoration on either the headpiece of the bride or on anything else.

 

• The Electric Slide

This is the ceremony dance participated by the couple and all wedding guests. The elders will appreciate including this dance in the ceremony.