A
wedding vow renewal ceremony is a
ceremony in which a married couple renew or reaffirm their
wedding vows. The ceremonies have been popular in
Italy for decades, and have existed in
United States since the 1950s, but only became popular there after the 1970s. Most take place in churches and are seen as a way for a married couple to renew their commitment to each other and demonstrate that the vows they took are still considered sacred. To some couples the ceremony offers the chance to celebrate the wedding they never had. Renewal ceremonies often take on the characteristics of the Western "
lavish wedding", with couples often setting out guest books, buying new weddings bands, and hiring photographers. Some of the reasons couples mention for holding a vow renewal include having passed through a difficult time in their relationship, celebrating a significant
anniversary, or in order to have a religious ceremony if their original wedding had not been one.