Jumping The Broom Where It Originates

Jumping The Broom LIMITED EDITION DVD and CD Music Set (T.D. Jakes Presents "Sacred Love Songs 2") It is said that the term jumping the broom is a ceremony dating back to the 1600s and derived from Africa, dating back to slave days, but according to wikipedeia the origins of the term jumping the broom originated in Whales England. it go on to say "In Britain, the custom became an expression representing unofficial unions not sanctioned by church or state."

Local variations of the custom were developed in different parts of England and Wales. Instead of placing the broom on the ground, and jumping together, the broom was placed in an angle by the doorway. The groom jumped first, followed by the bride. Now a days I notice they are both jumping together. I do believe thin is a better idea since it it suppose to signify them both entering into a new life, then they should both jump together.

In the United states, it is commonly believed that the custom of "jumping the broom" originates in Africa. Brooms have been symbols in parts of Africa: In Ghana, brooms would be waved over the heads of the couple but there are no recorded instances of "jumping the broom" in African weddings.

According to scholar Alan Dundes this was a Romani custom which might have been adopted by white slave-owners in the US, and forced upon their black slaves. More recent, some Wiccans have also adopted the custom also.

Some couples choose to incorporate it into traditional and non-traditional ceremonies. Jumping the broom is a brief ceremony usually within the wedding ceremony toward the end or at the receeption. The jumping of the broom is symbolic of binding a couple in marriage and also can be used to symbolize fertility and prosperity of the couple.

The "Jumping the Broom" can be done at the ceremony or at the reception and signify their entrance into a new life and their creation of a new family by symbolically "sweeping away" their former single lives, former problems and concerns, and jumping over the broom to enter upon a new adventure as wife and husband. In most cases, the Jumping the Broom takes place at the end of the ceremony.

Honoring and respect of your ancestors, their legacy, and your rich family heritage. Coming together of both families, and commitment to each other as wife and husband. It also represents love, togetherness, loyalty, and respect which is essential for a successful marriage

Your Wedding Invitations

Since the wedding invitation is the first thing your guests will see it should reflect the type of wedding you plan to have.It could be outdoors or formal, casual or are you having a destination wedding? Whatever style you choose, make sure it conveys to your guests the type of wedding you plan to have. http://www.yourinvitationplace.com/Default.aspx?WebName=CaribbeanBrides . In earlier times wedding invitations were always very traditional in their color and appearance. Today's wedding invitations come in a vast array of exciting colors, styles, sizes and themes to reflect the creativity of modern wedding couples. Many caribbean or african american brides are having ethnic themed weddings from the invitation right down to jumping the broom Not to say traditional is out of date, but today your options are truly unlimited. There are choices based on seasons, hobbies, color combinations, themes, ceremony locations, ethnic backgrounds, flowers, etc. Your wedding invitations can have a modern contemporary look or they might feature photos of youngsters sharing tender moments. Your choices don’t end with the wedding invitation itself. There’s the font style and ink color. Again, there is an impressive selection of font styles to fit any type of wedding design. Just keep in mind you want to choose a style that your guests will find easy to read. The more script the style, the more difficult it usually is to read. Colored ink choices are not quite as abundant as font styles, but there are still plenty to accommodate your chosen wedding colors. Here are some questions for you to consider when choosing your wedding invitation style: The type of settingg? Do you want to incorporate a specific ethnic or religious theme? In what season will your wedding take place? What type of flowers are you having in your wedding? Do you want to include your photo on your wedding invitations? What is your wedding invitation budget? Another great idea for personalizing your wedding invitations is to include a favorite line of poetry, a beloved quotation, a particular Bible verse, or words from a special song. Many times the company who prints your invitations will also have a large selection of small verses to choose from. wedding invitations should be both beautiful and uniquely personal, just like your wedding ceremony. With all of today’s gorgeous choices, you’re sure to find exactly what you want.

Why Something Blue

Something Blue- Click like if you do In these times, white is the new purity color but back in the day, blue was considered the color of purity, modesty, loyalty, and love. All of the things that were virtuous and true were symbolized in the color blue, which was worn around the hem of women's dresses to show their pureness.

Some cultures wore ribbons to show this while still other used arm bands and sashes. Blue still denotes many of these virtues and to this day, it is still the most popular color on this planet.

Why Something Borrowed

Something Borrowed:

Borrowing something from a friend or family member shows that no matter what lies ahead for the newlyweds, they can always count on help from their families and close friends in times of trouble. To know that if you need to, you can reach out to someone for help was meant to be a comfort to the bride as she entered a new phase in her life. Tomorrow,something blue..Click like if you do..thanks

Why Something New

Something New:

Something new symbolizes new life and the hope of health, wealth, and prosperity that new couple will strive for as they enter into their new lives together. Carrying something new into the very ceremony that binds them will (hopefully) ensure that the marriage will succeed and the couple will have a wonderful and happy life together.

In today's world, this is usually the wedding dress. In years past, the dress was the something old but more and more brides prefer to have a shiny new dress indicative of the culture in which we now live. Tomorrow I will tell you about something borrowed

Why Something Old

Something Old The meaning behind something old is a simple one but does carry with it a piece of profound wisdom and advice. Something old is to remind the marrying couple where theycome from and the family history they represent. This is usually something that belonged to a mother or grandmother and is often something that she carried with her when she was married. It can also be a piece of family history, like a timepiece that was carried during a war, or piece of garment that was treasured by an ancestor. It says never forget your roots and where you come from. Remember the trials and hardships endured by your family to get us to where we are now. This custom should be honored and treasured in all aspects of our lives. Tomorrow I will tell you about something New

Wedding Cake Budget

You as a bride should set a budget for how much you want to spend on erything and your cake is no exception. Cakes are costly especially rum cakes, so make sure you know that what you plan to spend will be enough to get feed your guests. Do you choose mini individual cakes, sheet cakes, or one big cake and have the servers at the wedding cut up some for the guests?

brides who want to save money and have a small budget, will take the cake offered by the wedding venue, then order sheet cakes or mini cakes for the guests. For the

sheet cakes, you could put them in cake boxes for each guests. We offer the cake boxes on our website. You could also choose to put the piece of cake in bags. I think we have six or eight choices there and all beautiful. With the paper bags and some

boxes, you get your name, your grooms name, the date of your wedding and a logo for the price.

Before Making An Appointment For Cake

Before you make an appointment for a wedding cake, make sure you have done the following: You have a wedding date, a venue, how many guests, what colors you want your wedding caketo be and what you want your cake to look like. Many brides will look around rhe internet, print out a picture and bring it with them to the cake appointment.

I have had many brides-to-be call me early in the planning stages of their wedding and don't know where her wedding will be, don't know the colors. The reason why we need the location is to price the delivery if we have to deliver the cake. When you make a tasting appointment with me, I will ask all these questions and when you come to the tasting, I will mix the colors for you, do a layout of your cake if I can, so you will have an idea what it will look like. Weather you choose us or another cake decorator, I hope this help with your wedding planning. Dont forget to check out our website here

Are Wedding Cakes With Stairs Still In?

Believe it or not, a few brides are still asking for the wedding cakes with stairs going into different cakes. When I started the wedding cake business about 15 years ago, these cakes were the rage but things have changed since then. Most brides are ordering cakes stacked upon each other. Many times I have to talk a bride out of the idea, especially if they are young.

I can understand an older bride who always dreamed of this cake with stairs and want to have it now that she is finally tying the knot. Though what was old is new again and this could become the new norm to have the cake with stairs but for now, cakes with tiers is best. You do not want your wedding guests to think you are old fashion.

The cake above was ordered in 2005 by a bride living in New York who was originally from Grenada. She has nine different sized cakes with about four or five stairs. That is what she dreamed of and that is what she got and if this is your dream, I will make it ha[ppen for you with all the flair.

Cakes like this will ultimately cost more because you have to pay a deposit until the return of the plates and stairs. Even though when you return them intact, you will receive your refund, you do not want to have to pay a deposit when funds are scarce. You can take a look on our website for this and other cakes.

Mini Wedding Cakes

Our Mini cakes are a hit with brides maybe because they are so beautiful and a novel idea. I think guests also like the idea that they get their own cake. Some eat it at the wedding others take them home. I heard of one lady who had one for over a year and didn't want to open it. Rum cakes being what they are, can keep for many years and still be edible. We like to say the rum cure the cake.

. I started making these about seven years ago. They were born out of a need when a mother-in-law who wanted to send small cakes to her daughter-in-law in Atlanta. She ordered 200 of them and I was very pleased with the order. Little had I known how much work that would be. I look back and can laugh now but it was no laughing matter when I didn't close my eyes for two nights straight.

These are the first ones in the cello bags.

Since then we have discovered much more elegant containers like the ones pictured above.

This bride had a printer make up her cards and what she wanted to say. She also bought the bows and we actually put them in boxes. The above picture was just some left over cakes that I put in cello bags and gave to her afterwards.

Egg White Royal Icing

Ingredients 2 large egg whites 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice or white vanilla (or any other liquid flavoring you choose) 3 cups icing, confectioners or powdered sugar

Method
In the bowl beat the egg whites vamilla or any flavoring you choose Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined and, stiff peaks form. Put in bags for decorating. See it's that easy. http://www.caribbeanweddingcake.com

Marzipan Recipe

Ingredients Needed: 8 ounces almond paste 2 cups confectioners' sugar 1/4 cup corn syrup More powdered sugar for dusting
Method

Preparation:
Break the almond paste into small pieces over a medium bowl. Add 1 cup of the confectioners' sugar, and work it in with your hands until incorporated. Add another 3/4 cup of sugar, and work it in well. Pour in the corn syrup and work it in until evenly blended. Spread remaining sugar out on a clean work surface, and knead the dough until smooth and uniform, two to four minutes. If the dough seems too sticky, knead in some more sugar. cover your hands with some Crisco and rub it over the dough and in a plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for about an hour if you need to use same day or store until ready to use. When ready to use, remove from refrigerator for a while until it come to room temprature.
Dust work surface and rolling pin with confectioners' sugar, and roll dough out and cut into desired shapes.

Black Rum Cake Traditions In Caribbean

Making black cake in the Caribbean or any place is expensive because you have to buy many products to make it. Items such as raisins, prunes, cherries, mixed fruits/peel and the like cost a lot. Fruit cake conveys a special sense of luxury and nostalgia for caribbean people. The fruit is soaked in rum and wine for months, even a year. My mother always have fruit soakingand waiting for Christmas time to bake her Christmas cake.

Most people would start soaking their fruit some time in September. Of course as kids, we would always find it and steal a little prune or two, forget what the prune would do to us after, we didn't care we ate it anyway. :) Just before baking, the softened soaked fruit is ground to a wine-sweet paste that gives the cake it's profound flavor; the grinding also eliminates the hard fruit chunks that traumatize many eaters of fruitcake. Some people wants to see the large pieces of fruit in their cake some wants it grind to a pulp and invisible, they just want to know it's in there.

Rum cake is baked just before Christmas, eaten at Christmas dinner and afterward, cut in thin slices so it could last longer. My mother would also make extra cakes for other family members or neighbours. Black cake would be shared among neighbors and it was good. You give me piece of yours and I give you a piece of mine. Some people keeps the cake out on the table through the holidays and just pour on more rum or wine whenever the it gets a little dry. Rum helps to effectively preserve the cake for a very long time, I mean for years. My mother would give a piece to anyone who stopped by. This was a tradition to share a little piece of rum cake and Sorrel at christmas time.

Traditionally the men eat a piece of cake with rum and the women eat their rum cake with sorrel. Of course, the sorrel was laced with rum also. Because of the soaking of the fruit and the use of brown sugar and that burnt sugar or browning as some call it, black cake is somuch different from the American fruitcake we hear about.

Black rum fruit cake reflects the British presence in the Caribbean. The brown sugar, molasses and rum remind us that it was the quest for sthat rich sugar, and the slave labor that harvested it, that kept British colonialists coming back to the islands.

Should The Groom Have A Say In The Wedding Cake?

I know I am encroaching on a touchy subject where some men are concerned but I really think it is the bride's perrogative to decide what type of wedding cake they will have. I agree that he could be there for her to ask him what he thinks but it should be left to her to decide what colors she wants, how tall or short. After all it's been traditional for the bride to choose the cake. This is almost like the wedding dress, he shouldn't see it until the wedding day.:)

That might be what I think but these days are different. While 85% of men will stay in their cars until after the appointment, or wait quietly while their fiancee make decisions, some men are almost taking over the conversation about the cake. I have had a few occasions when brides just close their mouths and leave it to the men. That really irks me but all I can do is stand aside and say nothing, just just answer questions.
I had a groom once who told his Fiancee to shut up let him decide because it was his money, right before me, can you believe that? I was very upset for that poor girl I cannot tell you. He placed the order and made a deposit but that night I could not sleep. Next day I called him and told him to come and get his money. He asked why, I told him I had too many other orders for their wedding day. I like to say I am old fashion in a modern kind of way so contrary to what I wrote in the first paragraph, I do believe the groom can have a teeny weeny say in the cake since he is a part of it. Also he really does not get to say much about much in the wedding planning, so any place he can be involved he should at least be asked what he thinks.

What do you think?

American Caribbean West Indian Brides

Please do not take offence of my heading it is not meant to harm anyone. In this business of having to deal with many different people from all walks of life, I see and hear a lot. So I am only sharing my experience with you in these blog posts. I find kids who came to America as a young child, takes more to the American way of doing things than those who come in their teens and it also shows when they plan their wedding.

When a West indian bride makes an appointment to see me, I can tell almost immidiately if she has been in America for a long time. Most of the ones who have been here for a shorter time almost always want a full rum wedding cake. On the other hand those who have lived in America longer, says they have more American friends and want two different types of cakes. most times, rum cake with another type of cake with filling of some sort.

I have had occasions where a bride did not plan to have a rum cake at all and sometimes only find me a week or two before their wedding. I will point this out in a bride who I will call Shirley. Shirley was Jamaican getting married to a guy from Guyana. She found me a week before the wedding and told me that her mom came up from Jamaica, asked her about the cake and discovered that she was only having a white cake with lemon mousse filling. "What? her Mom asked, so whey de black rum cake deh?" She told her Mom she didn't want any rum cake. Needless her Mom was not having any of that so they had a big row over it. Her mom advised her that she has to keep to tradition and find someone to make a rum cake for her wedding, hence she found me.

The poor child had already spend all her money and could hardly afford a large cake for all the guests, so she ordered a 12x18 sheet cake of course she had one hundred peope for the wedding and that cake is suppose to only feed about 54 peopl'e, she told me she will make it work. After the wedding she called me and told me she cut it into little tiney pieces and put each piece in a goodey bag with with other tuff. As I always say, its not dinner, you only need a little bump.

What Are The Duties Of The Brides Maids?

Question: WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE BRIDE'SMAIDS? Answer: The Bride's Maid or Brides Attendants might be one or any amount she chooses. Bridesmaids and the Maid Of Honor may have many tasks to accomplish for an upcoming wedding. Not only is their wedding preparation involved, but you may have to help plan and pay for bridal showers or bachelorette parties. Helping her to get dressed, carry the brides train at the reception, running errands, and helping out with the bridal shower are a few ideas of what your duties might include. Each Bride will decide what their bridesmaids duties are.

Bride's Maids in general also have to pay for their own dresses and whole attire.

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE BESTMAN?

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE BESTMAN? Dear Bestman, you may think you're just a glorified groomsman, but guess what? You actually have a special responsibility. You will be a combination of the VALET, HAND HOLDER, AIDE, ADVISOR, BATCHELOR PARTY PLANNER, RING BEARER, MARRIAGE LICENSE SIGNER, WEDDING SUIT RETURNER, AND A MYRID OF OTHER DUTIES NOT COUNTING HONEY MOON SUITCASE PACKER.

As you help the groom come through this nerve racking experience with flying colors, don't forget the wedding will be over in the blink of an eye, so remember to enjoy yourself at the reception. After all, you're there to celebrate the happiest day of your best friend's life, are you not? And do not forget that he might have to do the same for you in the future.

Black Rum Cake Wedding Cake

So he has asked you to marry him, you said yes and here we are. Now you need a cake 8 ft tall with all the trimmings but you only want to pay half what it's worth. I have to tell you ladies, that is not going to happen. Rum cakes cost more than all other cakes to make with all that WINE, RUM, FRUIT and stuff, they are very costly. And everyone always want more rum but most do not realize that too much rum can make a cake bitter and makes cake inedible.

Recently all the items we use in cake decorating has gone waaay up, so unfortunately I have to make some changes to my price. Not that you would notice bcause I was always pricing my cakes too low anyway. :)

I really want to address something that I should have mentioned a long time ago. For those who do not know, most wedding venues offer the bride a cake in her package. Since they do not offer rum cake, many

most Caribbean/West Indian brides wanting a rum cake for their wedding, do not take that cake. Some venues will take it out of the package and you can replace it with something else, others say you have to take it with the package. I have found many of my brides who want to cut our traditional Back Rum Cake at their wedding, will order one or two tiered cakes for cutting and order sheet cakes for the guests.(had one bride who ordered 6 sheet cakes and had her dad cut them up and put in the cake boxes Some west Indian bride say they MUST cut into a black to take their picture. Some brides also cut the cake given from the venue and take pictures and also take one cutting the black cake. After all, the more the merrier.

So I would suggest if you have a similiar dilema, this could be the solution. Hope this helps. Make sure to visit our website at http://www.caribbeanweddingcake.com where we not only have cake pictures but we also supply your invitations, cake boxes and an assortment of cake bags, cake baskets and many other acessories for your wedding. Good luck with your wedding plans. http://www.caribbeanweddingcake.com

Wedding Cakes Shapes And Sizes

Cakes come in all shapes and sizes. The most popular shapes are round and square tiers but there are also petal, hexagon, heart shape, octagon, oval, Comma and rectangular shaped cakes.

Keep in mind that square tiers serve more guests than round tiers. A round cake serving 100 guests will require more than a square cake with the same number of servings.
Cakes have 6”, 8”, 10” 12", 14" 18" and 20" in all the shapes.
A square cake with 6”, 8”, 12” tiers, serves 100 while a round cake of the same size only serves 78. Bear in mind that people cut cake differently. Please see the Cake Cutting And Serving Guide Page

Please bear these things when you plan your cake order on our website.

What Is The Role Of The Groom's Cake?

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These days more and more brides are having a cake made for her groom. Groom’s cake can take the shape of a sports he is involved with, such as Cricket Bat or a Soccer Ball, if he likes to wear hats you could make him a cake in the shape of a hat. If he plays the Piano Organ or any musical instruments, you could make a cake in those shapes. The bride’s cake is the focus at the wedding, the groom’s cake is the accent.

The Grooms Cake is always set to the side during the reception but is should be visible and seek to create some interest. It could and should have it's own table. Many brides use a different flavor for the grooms cake than the bridal cake which should be a cake that the groom will like, after all it is his cake. :) The grooms cake is never enough to serve everyone, so it is his to give whom he chooses and take the rest home.

Having a beautiful groom's cake at your reception is an opportunity to spotlight the groom on a day which usually centers around the bride. Slices of the groom's cake can be boxed for the departing guests. Legend says if a young maiden sleeps with a slice under her pillow, she'll dream of the man she will marry :)

Don’t be afraid to get a groom’s cake that is nothing short of original to reflect the groom’s personality. You should be bold and get a cake that will amaze your guests and create a long lasting memory for your wedding. After all that's part of what it is all about.

I DO believe it should be kept a secret from him. This can be a nice little surprise when he sees the cake. It will prove to him that you have been thinking of him during all the fuss.

Fondant VS Buttercream On Wedding Cake

Buttercream is tradirionally the icing used to decorate cakes in America. For us who use rum cake for our special events traditonally. use Royal Icing. I know, I know it's not as tasty as buttercream some say but we never had a problem with it. There are all kinds of stuff to make it tasty such as, Vanilla, Rum, Almond Essence, Rose Water and many other oils.

Though Fondant looks much more attractive on a cake, most people say they do not like the taste. If I have five brides, six out of them choose Fondant, why? because I make my own and it taste so much better. When I do a tasting, I offer MY homemade Fondant, Royal Icing and Buttercream. Because of the taste, they always choose Fondant. Fondant cakes are much smoother and lend themselves to much more elaborate designs. I prefer to work with Fondant because I know the cake has more support and holds up much better than other icings. If you are having an outdoor wedding you should choose Fondant.

With rum cakes, people from some Islands love to have Marzipan on them first before putting on the icing. Marzipan is just just crushed Almonds with icing mixed in. Marzipan makes a cake so much more expensive but the cake taste sooo much better. http://www.caribbeanweddingcake.com