"Why Have a Vow Renewal?" 
from The Complete Guide to Vow Renewals:
How to Create a Celebration of Marriage that You'll Love
By Susan Breslow and Geri Bain

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. — Mignon McLaughlin

Who doesn’t love having an occasion to anticipate and celebrate? And what better thing to commemorate than love? For some couples, romance is the prime motivation to hold a vow renewal. Yet there are additional reasons why spouses decide to reaffirm their commitment to each other:

To Mark a Milestone Anniversary
Instead of simply exchanging gifts or having a party when you reach a milestone (usually a number of years that ends in a 5 or a multiple of 5), a vow renewal will publicly honor your relationship and affirm that after all these years, you’re still in love. In fact, some couples renew their vows and celebrate their commitment at regular intervals throughout their marriage.

To Compensate for a Disappointing Wedding
Do you feel as if your wedding was for everyone but the two of you? Or did someone overrule your wedding wishes? Perhaps something went terribly wrong. Or your attire left something to be desired. Or you really wanted the romance of eloping but felt pressured to have a big wedding. Conversely, did you elope and regret not having a wedding with guests present? Now that you’re self-sufficient adults, you can right those wrongs and have a celebration that truly reflects your taste and style.

To Celebrate Recovery or Enduring an Illness
A couple that supports one another and survives a life-threatening illness certainly has reason to celebrate. On the other hand, even when one member has a poor prognosis, a tender vow renewal can lift spirits.

To Ease Impending Departure
When you know that your spouse is going to be deployed or start a job in another city that will keep you apart, a vow renewal can create happy memories and photographs to soothe both of you through a separation.

To Justify a Big Blowout
Perhaps you had more love than money when you married and had to scrimp on the reception. If now you can afford a more lavish affair, go ahead and pull out all the stops for your vow renewal. You’ve earned it!

To Save a Marriage on the Rocks
Couples grow apart. Resentments fester. Renewing vows is a way to indicate that you both want to go forward together. Reexamining your relationship and then publicly reciting heartfelt vows enable a couple to say things in a way that’s unlikely to happen in an informal setting. Of course, just vowing to stay together isn’t a panacea, and a vow renewal shouldn’t feel like penance. However, demonstrating that you’re committed to making your marriage work can be an important step, especially if combined with counseling. Otherwise a vow renewal could put more pressure on a shaky union.

To Fall in Love Again
A couple that has experienced a serious relationship issue, such as infidelity, and worked through it to a place of forgiveness may be eager to make a fresh start. Recommitting to one another at a vow renewal says you’re back together and dedicated to your marriage.

To Set an Example for Your Kids
Since your children probably didn’t attend your wedding, a vow renewal that involves them can underscore how important family is to you and set a beautiful example of the love between a husband and wife.

To Fill an Empty Nest
As your kids leave home to begin their own life, it’s time to refocus your energy on your partner. Planning and celebrating a vow renewal can help you to adjust during this transitional time.

To Take a Vacation
A vow renewal is a good excuse to get away. And festivities surrounding one are likely to make recommitting to each other in a romantic spot that much sweeter.

To Demonstrate Your Love
A vow renewal can be a way of saying “I love you so much that I want to be with you forever.” Whether you decide to have a grand celebration or a private ceremony in your own home, it is an undeniably romantic thing to do.

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