Wedding Insurance: Why It’s Essential and How to Get Covered

A happy bride celebrating her wedding reception at the luxurious Langham Hotel, a top choice for luxury weddings in the UK

Engagements are happening everywhere, and while wedding planning often focuses on the finer details like venues, dresses, and decorations, it’s crucial to safeguard your wedding investments early on. Wedding insurance should be at the top of your wedding planning checklist, as it provides vital coverage for unexpected events. Whether you're getting married in the UK or planning a destination wedding in a luxurious venue like The Peninsula London or Palais Namaskar in Marrakech, wedding insurance ensures your special day is protected from potential issues.

Experienced luxury wedding planners can significantly reduce risks by helping you select reliable suppliers, managing contracts, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. They work with trusted vendors, so the likelihood of something going wrong—such as a supplier failing—is lower. However, even with premium suppliers, unexpected issues can arise, making comprehensive wedding insurance indispensable. For example, the risk of a global hotel giant like the Peninsula Hotel going bankrupt is minimal, but insurance still offers protection for those rare occasions when things don’t go as planned.

By securing the right insurance, you can ensure your wedding day, whether in the UK or abroad, is protected, giving you peace of mind every step of the way

What wedding insurance covers ?

Wedding insurance provides tailored coverage for various potential issues that could arise during your wedding planning or on the big day itself. Here are the key aspects it typically covers:

Lead planner at Mrs Wedding Planner Ltd conducting final checks with clients for a seamless multi-day wedding event at the prestigious Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin, ensuring all logistics are in place to minimise risks.

1. Cancellation Cover
   Provides peace of mind for unforeseen cancellations, ensuring that if something goes wrong (e.g., illness or a close relative's death), you can recover any irrecoverable expenses or legally liable costs.

2. Deposit Protection
   Protects deposits paid to suppliers and venues, even those made before purchasing the policy. If a supplier lets you down, insurance will cover your financial loss.

3. Public Liability Cover – Up to £2 Million
   Essential for any claims made against you for bodily injury or property damage related to the wedding ceremony or reception. Optional extensions can increase your coverage.

4. International Coverage
   If you’re planning a destination wedding, international coverage ensures you’re protected no matter where your celebration is held, with no extra charge for overseas venues.

5. Advanced Booking Protection
   You can secure your plans up to two years in advance of the wedding, giving you flexibility and reassurance for long-term preparations, such as a sequel ceremony or a delayed wedding.

6. Ceremonial Clothing
   Covers the cost of replacing or repairing lost, stolen, or damaged ceremonial clothing for you or your attendants (bridesmaids, ushers, etc.).

7. Photography and Video
   Covers costs if your photographer or videographer doesn’t show up or fails to deliver due to negligence, theft, or technical faults.

8. Wedding Rings, Flowers, and Cake
   Protects your wedding rings, flowers, gifts for attendants, and wedding cake from loss, theft, or damage.

9. Transport
   Ensures coverage for non-appearance or mechanical breakdown of wedding cars or transport, so you won’t be left stranded.

10. Wedding Gifts
    Provides coverage for the loss, theft, or damage of wedding gifts while they are in transit, storage, or on display at the reception.

Wedding gifts being securely stored for safekeeping for a destination wedding at Hotel Adlon kempinski, Berlin, with wedding insurance providing coverage in case of loss or damage

Destination Weddings and Multi-Day Events

Destination weddings often involve multiple days of celebrations and significant upfront payments. To alleviate the stress of deposits being paid ahead of the event or other things going wrong, comprehensive insurance tailored for international weddings is essential.

For destination weddings, make sure your policy covers the following:

• Cancellation Cover – up to £100,000, giving you confidence that you’re covered for any unforeseen event.

• Deposit Protection – ensures you won’t lose out financially if a supplier or venue lets you down.

• Public Liability Cover – protects you and your guests during all events, whether abroad or locally.

• Advanced Booking Protection – safeguards long-term wedding preparations, even for weddings planned years in advance.

• International Coverage – provides seamless protection with no additional charges for overseas wedding venues.

Wedding insurance could cover the cost of replacing these bridesmaids' shoes if they were lost, stolen, or damaged, ensuring your bridal party is fully covered.

Tips for choosing the Right Policy

The size of your wedding budget will determine the level of cover you need. For example, a £50,000 wedding might cost around £200 for insurance, whereas a larger budget of £80,000 could mean around £365 for the right coverage.

Wedding insurance policies differ in price and coverage depending on the size of your wedding, location, and the suppliers you choose. Whether you’re hosting a small ceremony or a lavish celebration, it’s crucial to match your insurance cover to the value of your investments.

Top providers offering wedding insurance

Several wedding insurance providers offer competitive rates and tailored coverage to meet your needs. Here are a few of the best options:

• John Lewis – Known for their flexibility and competitive pricing, with six levels of cover to choose from, including coverage for both domestic and international weddings.

• WedInsure – Offers a range of policies for various budgets and wedding types, including destination weddings.

• WedCover – Another reliable option, offering tailored policies for every couple’s needs.

• Dreamsaver – Excellent for multi-day events and destination weddings, especially for international coverage.

Each of these providers offers competitive rates and comprehensive cover, ensuring your wedding is protected, whether it's a local celebration or an international event.

Don’t let unexpected mishaps spoil your big day. Wedding insurance helps protect your investment, from venue cancellations to supplier failures. With providers like WedInsure, WedCover, Dreamsaver, and John Lewis, you can find a policy that fits your wedding needs, whether you’re planning a lavish UK wedding or a destination celebration. Secure your wedding insurance today and plan with confidence.