Weddings are expensive, so it seems counterintuitive to add even more to your bill. Wedding insurance is certainly not something that everyone thinks about when planning the caterers, the flowers, the hospitality and the dress, but the more you spend on your wedding, the greater the financial risks you face if things go wrong. When available, insurance can provide an affordable financial safety net if things go wrong.With premiums that are often less than the cost of the cake, taking out an insurance policy makes sound financial sense.
In this article, we’ll ask the question ‘What is wedding insurance?’ and investigate if you really need it. We’ll look at the different types of insurance, what it covers (and what it doesn’t), and policies for overseas events. We’ll also help you decide how to choose the best marriage insurance, as well as answer a few of the most frequently asked questions. If you’re planning the big day, this is one article you need to read if you want to protect your finances.
What is wedding insurance?
Industry figures show that the average wedding costs over £20,000 in 2026. That’s a lot of money on the line if you suddenly have to cancel. Wedding insurance is there to cushion the financial blow if your big day is postponed due to accidents, illness, venue or supplier cancellations. Each policy will be different, and it will depend on what you choose to cover as part of your insurance policy. Let’s take a quick look at each of the aspects the average marriage insurance policy covers:
• Illness, accident or death – This covers the couple and, in some instances, their immediate family. So, if the bride, groom or civil partner is taken ill, called for jury service, or injured, insurance may provide a financial safety net if the event is cancelled. Some policies may also extend cover to key members of the wedding party; bear in mind that pre-existing health conditions may not be covered.
• Venue cancellation – It’s the biggest blow of the lot – your chosen venue pulls out at the last minute and cannot honour the booking. The reasons could be as diverse as a fire or flood, financial difficulties, or other issues. Your policy can help you recoup the financial cost of cancellations, allowing you to put the money into an alternative arrangement.
• Lost, damaged, or stolen essentials – Our Top Tip: Always ensure your engagement and wedding rings are covered with our bespoke ring insurance. For everything else, including wedding dresses, flowers, gifts, and custom-made cakes, wedding insurance may be able to cover your financial costs. The level of cover will depend on the policy, so it’s important to read the small print to see what is and what isn’t covered, and for how much.
• Supplier no-shows – Certain elements make up the perfect wedding day, including the cake, the caterers, the flowers, and of course, the DJ for the reception. If your suppliers let you down, it can ruin your day. Wedding reception insurance can cover many of these elements, although once again it’s crucial to read the policy carefully to find out what level of cover you have.
• Public liability insurance – Normally associated with business insurance, Public Liability insurance or PLI provides financial protection should a person be injured or their property damaged while at your wedding. Check whether your venue already provides sufficient public liability cover before arranging additional protection. If not, it may be worth considering taking out wedding liability insurance to protect your own interests and cover the cost of any compensation claim and legal fees should the worst happen.
• Capturing the event – If your photographer has a problem and cannot provide you with your photos of the big day, wedding insurance may cover you. Some policies may offer compensation or contribute towards recreating photographs where possible.
• Travel insurance – It’s getting increasingly popular to have your wedding overseas, such as a tropical beach or a romantic destination. If you’re putting together an insurance portfolio and you’re planning on an overseas wedding, it’s wise to make sure your travel insurance covers you for the occasion. If not, overseas wedding cover could make all the difference financially if things don’t go to plan.
What isn’t covered?
While wedding insurance covers many possible scenarios, it doesn’t cover everything. Every policy will be different, so as we keep saying, it’s very important to go through the fine print very carefully. Some eventualities that may not be included in your wedding insurance policy include:
• Cancelling the wedding due to illness – Although some policies may include a clause that provides insurance if the couple or immediate family members become ill, others will not. If your bridesmaids get the flu, for example, it is unlikely that your policy will pay out if you then cancel the event. However, if either of the couple is taken seriously ill, that may qualify under the terms of your policy for a justified cancellation. As always, check your terms and conditions carefully.
• Changing your mind – It’s not common, but it does sometimes happen that one or both parties will decide that getting married isn’t right for them. Unfortunately, though, it is very unlikely that your wedding insurance will pay out if the reason for the cancellation is that you’ve ‘changed your mind’.
• Bad weather – If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed in the UK, it’s that the weather will always do exactly what you don’t want. A July wedding doesn’t mean wall-to-wall sunshine, and bad weather is a fact of life. That means that, unless there are extreme circumstances, bad weather will generally not qualify for a policy payout. Our Top Tip: Always have a ‘Plan B’, such as a marquee for an outdoor wedding, so if the heavens open, the event can be moved under cover.
Insurance for a wedding abroad
It’s important to remember that marriage insurance for a destination wedding is not a replacement for your travel insurance. You will still need to take out effective travel cover to protect you against things such as baggage loss, medical expenses, injury and illness. It’s wise to check your travel policy to see if it covers expensive or high-value items such as a wedding dress or your rings.
If it doesn’t, it’s worth adding on overseas wedding cover as an addition to your wedding insurance policy. Generally, wedding insurance for an overseas event will cover:
• Cancellation & rearrangement — if illness, injury, venue failure, or supplier issues force you to postpone or cancel the wedding
• Supplier failure — if your venue, photographer, or florist doesn’t deliver or goes out of business.
• Loss, damage or theft — This can cover items such as rings, outfits, gifts, and documents.
• Essential documents — You need to bring all your documents for an overseas wedding. Some policies may contribute towards replacement costs of passports, visas, and birth certificates.
How much does wedding insurance cost?
Compared to everything else (and remembering that the average wedding costs over £20,000), insurance is surprisingly affordable. The cost will depend on a variety of things, including where your wedding is being held (you may pay more for an overseas wedding insurance policy), the size of the event, and the amount of cover you want.
It will also depend on whether you want extra add-ons such as marquee cover and guest public liability insurance. Generally, a wedding cover shouldn’t cost much, but it could make a big difference to your finances if something goes wrong.
How to choose the best wedding insurance
• Get your insurance early – Buy your policy in the early stages of your wedding planning once you’ve set your budget.
• Cancellation cover – Look for a wedding insurance policy that provides cover that’s equal to your total budget.
• Check for excesses and exclusions – Choose insurance, ensuring there are no exclusions, such as high-value items like rings.
• Take out separate ring insurance – As your engagement ring may not be covered in a standard marriage insurance policy, make sure your engagement ring and wedding rings have separate ring insurance.
• Shop around – Just like car and home insurance, you can shop around to find the best deals on your wedding cover. Remember that it’s not just about how much the policy costs, but what it covers and how much protection it gives you.
• Talk to your venue – Once you’ve chosen a venue, ask them about their insurance coverage. They will normally have public liability insurance as standard, so it may not be essential to include that in your own policy. However, they may ask for Public or Personal Liability cover before they accept your booking.
• Keep all your paperwork until after the wedding – Once you’ve got your wedding insurance sorted out, keep all the paperwork safe until after you’re married in case there are any post-wedding issues.
• Speak to a specialist – With so much pressure surrounding a wedding, it can be confusing to add another element to your schedule. To make life easier, talk to a specialist provider. At TH March, we can help you plan your cover, including reception insurance and that all-important engagement and ring insurance.
Frequently asked questions
When should I buy wedding insurance?
It’s wise to buy your wedding insurance as early as you can. Once you’ve set your budget, you can take out enough insurance to cover any eventuality. Our top tip: buy your insurance before you provisionally book elements such as marquees, venues, florists, photographers, and caterers.
Does wedding insurance cover my honeymoon?
In general, no. Your honeymoon is regarded as separate from your wedding. As it’s technically a ‘holiday’, you’ll need travel insurance to cover medical expenses, lost luggage, and accommodation issues. Bear in mind that your travel insurance may not cover your rings as they are high-value items. Check with your TH March broker to find out if your separate ring insurance covers your engagement and wedding rings when you’re abroad in case of loss, theft, or damage.
How do I know the wedding insurance I buy is reliable?
Check that the broker offering wedding insurance is regulated by the FCA. You may be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if an authorised insurer becomes insolvent.
How can I minimise my risk of having to make a claim?
Nobody wants anything to go wrong on their wedding day, which is why planning ahead is so important. Rather than simply searching online for caterers, florists, and photographers, liaise with a reputable wedding planner. They will be able to point you to suppliers they’ve used in the past and who have a proven track record of reliability. Pay deposits for venues, catering services, and even your wedding dress using a credit card rather than a debit card. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, your money is protected should anything go wrong. Your card provider should reimburse you for qualifying purchases between £100 and £30,000, meaning you may not have to make an insurance claim.
Protect your big day with TH March
At TH March, we have over a century of experience in providing insurance for our clients. From ring insurance for your engagement and wedding rings to comprehensive wedding insurance services, our team are here to make sure your big day is financially protected.
Take a look at our wedding insurance page at https://thmarch.shieldmy.com/ to find out how our marriage insurance cover can help take the financial worry out of your wedding plans. You can use our online Get A Quote feature for an instant, no-obligation quote. Or you can call us direct and talk to one of our friendly, professional team members for clear, no-nonsense advice. Contact us today.