Let's face it, weddings can put a dent in your wallet. From the stunning dress to the perfect venue, the delicious cake to the beautiful flowers (and let's not forget those extra touches like a fabulous floral balloon arch), the number of bills piling up can be overwhelming. If you're investing a lot in your big day and want some peace of mind, it's worth considering wedding insurance.

Now, chances are everything will go smoothly and according to plan, but it's always reassuring to know you're protected in case of the unexpected.

To help you understand wedding insurance plans, what they cover, and what they don't, we've created this handy guide.

Disclaimer:

This article is to give you a better understanding of wedding insurance but does not equate professional advice.

Please contact experts to advise you on your specific circumstances.

1. What is Wedding Insurance?

Wedding insurance is there to protect you from financial losses due to unexpected mishaps on your big day. It covers issues like illness, accidents, cancellations, and unforeseen circumstances.

Having the right insurance can cover the costs of rearranging the ceremony or recovering lost deposits. While it may seem like an unwanted expense, wedding insurance provides peace of mind and financial protection, especially considering the average UK wedding cost of £18,400.

If you're spending a significant amount on your wedding, insurance is crucial to safeguard your finances and minimise your potential losses. Before purchasing wedding insurance, ensure you understand your vendors' insurance coverage to avoid overlapping coverage. Don't forget to request their Certificate of Insurance for the wedding venue's records.

However, if you have solid agreements with your venue and suppliers for a small wedding, allowing easy rescheduling or cancellation without major financial consequences, insurance may not be necessary.

Overall, we recommend having at least basic coverage in place to be safe.

2. The Two Types of Wedding Insurance

Wedding insurance can be complex, just like any other type of insurance.

Typically, there are two main types of coverage: liability insurance and cancellation insurance.

Here's what you need to know about each:

1. Wedding Liability Insurance

Liability insurance protects you financially in case of any liability arising from your wedding. Many venues require this type of insurance. It provides coverage for incidents such as guest injuries, venue damage, or alcohol-related issues.

Whether a venue has its own insurance or not, it's crucial to have liability coverage to avoid being held personally responsible.

While rehearsal dinners may not always be automatically covered, they can sometimes be added to the policy.

2. Wedding Cancellation Insurance

Cancellation insurance protects your financial investment in your wedding. It covers expenses related to cancellation or postponement, including lost deposits and more. If unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel your wedding, this coverage can reimburse you up to the total cost of your wedding. Reasons for cancellation can range from severe weather conditions to venue closures or the illness or injury of key individuals involved in your wedding. Cancellation coverage may also extend to cover no-show vendors.

Opting for full coverage that includes both liability and cancellation insurance provides comprehensive protection and peace of mind, as it covers most potential scenarios that could disrupt your wedding plans.

3. What Does Wedding Insurance (usually) cover?

While every wedding insurance policy may have some variations, it's important to review the details before signing up.

However, most policies generally cover the following:

1. Venue closure or cancellation: Protection in case your venue closes or cancels your booking due to reasons like floods, fire, or financial issues. This typically falls under the "cancellation cover" section of the policy.

2. Cancellation due to illness, accident, or death: Coverage if you, your spouse-to-be, wedding party members, or close family members become ill, have accidents, or experience unfortunate circumstances like jury service or military posting.

3. Cancellation due to extreme weather: If a significant portion of your guests (usually 50% or more) cannot attend due to severe weather conditions, you should be covered. Check the policy details for specific conditions.

4. Supplier no-show or damaged goods: Protection in case one of your suppliers fails to show up or provides damaged items, such as flowers or a wedding cake. Make sure to have a written agreement with your suppliers for your claim.

5. Lost, stolen, or damaged items: Coverage for items like wedding bands, wedding cake, flowers, attire, and gifts. Verify any specific conditions or exclusions in your individual policy.

6. Wedding photo or video faults: If there are technical issues resulting in undeveloped photos or videos, you should be covered. Additional expenses for reshooting key images or renting outfits may also be covered.

7. Personal liability and legal action: Protection in case damage occurs to the venue or if someone is injured on the wedding day. However, accidents caused by guests may not be covered. Legal costs for court actions related to incidents causing injury or death at the wedding should also be covered.

Standard wedding insurance policies may not always cover weddings abroad, so it's essential to verify coverage for destination weddings or consider specialist policies.

Remember, wedding insurance will not cover cancellations or postponements for reasons outside the policy's scope.

Be sure to read the terms and exclusions provided by the insurer to understand what is included in the policy.

4. What Wedding Insurance (Typically) Doesn't Cover

A change of heart, specifically cold feet, is generally not covered by wedding insurance.

Please note that watches, jewellery, semi-precious gemstones, and pearls (even if attached to clothing) may not be covered by the policy.

Although your wedding rings may be covered, your engagement ring may not fall under the same coverage. It is advisable to purchase separate insurance for your engagement ring or check if it is covered by your existing homeowners or renters insurance. Additionally, keep in mind that these items may be subject to the deductible specified in your policy.

5. How much should I insure my wedding for?

The amount of wedding insurance you need depends on your overall wedding budget. It's essential to find a policy that provides adequate coverage for your total expenses. If your wedding budget is £20,000, look for a policy with a cancellation cover limit higher or equal to that amount.

Include all relevant expenses when calculating the costs, such as:

Venue
Attire
Rings
Cake
Photographs and video
Cars and transportation
Flowers
Wedding gifts

When comparing wedding insurance options, prioritise the level of coverage over the price. While there may be cheaper deals available, it's more important to have the right level of protection.

6. How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost?

The cost of wedding insurance depends on your wedding budget and the coverage you desire. Remember to shop around and compare different insurance packages to find the one that fits your needs and budget.

To start researching and comparing wedding insurance policies, make a list of your expenses and estimate your total wedding cost.

Consider any additional coverage you may require, such as outdoor wedding or pre-existing medical condition coverage.

7. Can I get insurance for destination weddings?

With the rising popularity of destination weddings, it's crucial to consider wedding insurance when getting married abroad. While the weather may be less of a concern depending on the destination, there are still potential risks to account for.

Some insurance companies provide overseas wedding insurance for a slightly higher cost. It's important to carefully review the policy as some may exclude specific types of coverage, such as public liability. Ensure that the policy covers all your essential needs before making a decision.

If you can’t find a company offering the coverage you want, you might need to get travel insurance instead.

8. When Should I Get Wedding Insurance?

It is highly recommended to purchase wedding insurance as soon as possible. The earlier you obtain coverage, the sooner you are protected, and there is no additional cost for booking early.

You can secure coverage up to two years in advance, which ensures protection against potential issues like venue closures or family illnesses months or even a year before the wedding. Therefore, it is definitely worthwhile to have wedding insurance.

9. What do I need to get a wedding insurance quote?

To get your wedding insurance quote, you’ll need to let know:

The approximate total cost of the wedding 
Where the ceremony is being held 
Whether the ceremony and reception are on the same date and when this is 
Whether the ceremony and reception are at the same venue 
Additional cover requirements 
Details of the two people getting married

10. Am I already covered?

You may already have certain forms of protection in place through alternative methods, including:

Credit card: If you make wedding payments ranging from £100 to £30,000 with a credit card, you can ask for a refund if any issues arise.
Home contents insurance: Your home contents insurance might offer coverage for wedding gifts and rings while they are within your home.

However, it's crucial to note that while these options provide some level of protection, they cannot replace the comprehensive coverage offered by wedding insurance. Insurance specifically designed for weddings can provide customised coverage for all aspects of your special day, ensuring your peace of mind.

11. How Can I Lower My Risk Of Needing To Claim On My Wedding Insurance?

1. Prioritise safety - While you may be tempted to handle certain aspects of your wedding, like fireworks, yourself or with non-professionals, it's important to consider the associated risks. Fireworks and other potentially dangerous entertainment often fall outside the coverage of wedding insurance. It's best to hire professionals who have their own specialised insurance. The same applies to any other risky forms of entertainment.

2. Choose reliable suppliers - Take the time to read reviews, verify qualifications, and meet suppliers in person before making any bookings. Working with reputable and experienced suppliers reduces the likelihood of issues arising.

3. Maintain regular communication with suppliers - Stay in touch with your suppliers and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Review the details to ensure that the products and services being provided align with your expectations.

4. Have a contingency plan - Inquire with your suppliers about their contingency measures in case of illness or disruptions in their supply chain. They may have a network of backup suppliers who can step in and assist if needed.

5. Use a credit card for deposits - It's advisable to pay deposits using a credit card due to the added protection. However, it's essential to note that credit cards are not a substitute for wedding insurance. Credit cards cannot cover situations like illness or personal liability. Therefore, it's important to maintain your wedding insurance coverage for comprehensive peace of mind.

12. What Will Actually Happen If I Claim On My Wedding Insurance?

The amount you receive from your insurance claim depends on the nature of the claim. For minor issues like a torn bridesmaid dress or missing wedding stationery, the payout is typically proportional to the item's cost. In cases where your wedding venue is closed due to damage, the insurer may arrange and cover the cost of a new venue directly, rather than providing a lump sum to you.

It's important to note that insurance claims are subject to an excess fee, which means you will receive the full amount minus the cost of the excess.

By providing financial protection and peace of mind, wedding insurance helps mitigate the risks associated with unforeseen circumstances that can disrupt wedding plans and result in substantial financial losses. From venue cancellations to supplier failures, illness, accidents, and even extreme weather conditions, wedding insurance offers tailored coverage to address these potential challenges. However, it is important for couples to carefully review and compare policy options to ensure they choose the coverage that best suits their specific needs and budget. By taking proactive steps, such as purchasing insurance early, selecting reputable suppliers, and maintaining open communication, couples can enhance their wedding experience and enjoy their big day with added confidence. Ultimately, wedding insurance serves as a valuable investment that allows couples to focus on creating beautiful memories while protecting their financial investment in this cherished milestone.

13. FAQs

Yes, you can get cover for civil partnership ceremonies.
Both dates can be covered. Most companies will demand that both events are not too far apart, for example less than 21 apart.
Yes. Most insurance companies will insure all your wedding expenses no matter when you booked them.
We haven’t seen any company offering monthly payments instead you pay in a single, up-front fee because wedding insurance is designed to cover a one-off event.
You can get last minute wedding insurance but it is always advised to get wedding insurance as soon as you can.
You could even get one just one week before the wedding.
Anyone can buy a wedding insurance policy, for instance the parents of the couple, but the policy must be in the name of the two people who are getting married as it is their wedding being covered, and one of those two must be a UK resident.
Some insurance companies will cover it providing you have proof such as a receipt or can prove the given money was used to pay wedding related expenses.
Claims will be made by the insured couple then the money will be given to the person who paid.
Yes - provided one of you is normally resident in the UK you can take out a policy.
Insurance companies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions that have resulted in a terminal prognosis or where the condition is awaiting treatment or investigation at a hospital or you are awaiting the results of tests or investigations, unless you have declared details to them and they have agreed to insure them.
No, wedding insurance won’t cover your honeymoon, you’ll need travel insurance for this. Cover for your honeymoon will be the same as the holiday cover.
It’s best to purchase your policy as soon as you book in case of cancellations. Remember, if you’re going skiing or taking part in any other risky activities while you’re away, make sure you have insurance that covers you for this also.
You should be covered if gifts are lost, stolen or accidentally damaged, provided they haven't been left unattended. Be aware that this cover only applies a short time before the wedding and there may be specific limits for individual items, and limits for cash and cheque gifts.
Depending on the insurer, you can only claim if the bad weather is extreme enough to mean your guests cannot reach the venue.
Public liability insurance plays a crucial role in protecting the individuals responsible for organising a wedding, such as the couple or a professional wedding planner, from potential legal claims related to injury, death, or property damage. While it may not be automatically included in a standard wedding insurance policy, certain venues and vendors may require it.
We recommend including public liability coverage in your insurance package, as it can safeguard against situations like damage caused by one of your guests to the venue.
If you need to amend your policy, for instance if you need to up the level of cover, you can contact your insurer and they’ll be able to arrange this easily. As with all insurance policies, you’ll have a 14-day cooling-off period in which you can cancel and receive a full refund.
No, if you cancel because you've split up, you cannot claim.

Protecting Your Big Day: Why Wedding Insurance is a Necessity