For many, marriage now appears to be an institution that has outlived its usefulness. There are people have been in bad marriages, and they would rather avoid the consequences of entering another. Other people have never been married, and they see this institution as a way to destroy a good relationship. There are even people who have economic reasons to choose to stay single, and they often cite the additional expenses or loss of income as a reason to avoid marriage.

Whether or not a couple chooses marriage, the traditional marriages vows are often applicable to helping couples successfully navigate through their life. Saying these vows in front of family and friends, whether or not a legal marriage is at stake, helps the couple understand life is often difficult. It helps them to keep their relationship alive and well during trying circumstances such as illness, economic woes and catastrophic events.