In an era when celebrity weddings have an nigh unrivaled potential to catch the public eye, another kind of nuptial ceremony -- the renewal of vows -- seems just as remarkable.
(ABC News Photo Illustration)
Most recently, the celebrity power couple of Madonna and Guy Ritchie reportedly opted to necktie the double knot at a individual Kabbalah observance in Los Angeles, exploitation the juncture to announce their salute to try on and rebuild their rickety seven-year marriage.
It's a strategy that only might work. Relationship experts say that pledging to recommit to a mate is, for many couples, an substantive part in healing a broken marriage.
Dawn O. Braithwaite, professor of communication studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has researched couples who opt to renew their vows. And she says that while thither are a number of reasons wherefore couples power renew their vows -- from pampering in a fantasy marriage ceremony they could never afford, to satisfying a desire to have their families involved in their recommitment -- some of those who try a rehabilitation do it to salvage a faltering marriage.
"They want to fix something," Braithwaite said. "It's what we call relationship repair; they want to repair unfaithfulness, or having grown apart, or a relationship that was non very close."
David Popenoe, professor of sociology at Rutgers University and co-director of the National Marriage Project, agrees. "It's kind of a bright concept, though I presuppose only a very small percentage of married couples are doing it," he said. "But I mean that it is something that I would personally encourage."
But some experts say that piece the estimate of a ceremony to celebrate a matrimonial recommitment may be as commendable as it is romantic, both Madonna and Ritchie will likely need to change the way they act toward one some other for it to do any good.
For some fame personalities, this may be easier aforesaid than done.
"Celebrities, in particular, are at risk for 'special person syndrome,'" said Susan Heitler, a Denver-based clinical psychologist and author of "The Power of Two."
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