LAS VEGAS-Young people who grew up with high divorce rates are leaving their mark on marriage vows-if indeed they ever take them-replacing " 'til death do us part" with nontraditional, less binding vows.

Ceremonies now include phrases such as "for as long as our love shall last" and "until our time together is over."

Sharon Naylor, author of Your Special Wedding Vows, says, "People understand that anything can happen in life, and you don't make a promise you can't keep."

Pastor Bonnie Nixon says today's young people are very familiar with broken families. "They have divorce in mind-they're wary," she says. "It's just realism." Nixon adds, "I think a lot of people feel, 'We'll probably get 10 years out of [a marriage].' "

Others believe noncommittal wording and lowered expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies. Psychologist Diana Kirschner says, "Over time, your mate brings out the best in you, but also the worst in you. You have to have a contract that you'll work together to help each other grow."

Another trend is to bypass marriage altogether, with 8 percent of U.S. households consisting of unmarried heterosexual partners. Forty percent of cohabiting couples have children.