Sweep them off their feet! Have you ever heard these expressions? Get your feet wet take a load off your feet, or stand on your own two feet? Have you ever wondered what these expressions meant? To sweep someone off their feet? This saying describes that feeling you get when you are infatuated, affected with overwhelming enthusiasm, or carried away by emotions.

Jumping the Broom

Some legends say the expression originated from the action performed when using a broom. Jumping a broom is a popular African American marriage practice that can be traced back to the West African country of Ghana. During the 18th Century, most of the country was ruled by the Asante, who swept urban roadways with locally-made brooms whenever Dutch or British traders visited Ghana. Those same brooms were used by servants or wives to sweep the courtyards of homes. These household objects were considered spiritual, symbolic items that would sweep away evil spirits and past wrongs.

But how did the practice of jumping brooms enter into wedding ceremonies? They were first waved over a young couple’s heads to ward off evil spirits as they entered into marriage with one another. Sometimes, but not always, they would also jump over the broom to put the past behind them. The practice also symbolizes the wife’s willingness to sweep the courtyard of their home together.

Going Barefoot

This newlywed couple took that saying to the next level. They swept each other so far off their feet that their socks and shoes came off! The entire wedding party was barefoot at the wedding ceremony. The sun warmed the green grass and stone walkways as this couple walked down the aisle, feeling the warmth on the soles of their feet. Their love for each other shined through the day, from the wedding ceremony to dancing the night away at the reception. White Mountains Photo Pro was there to capture every moment.