UK wedding insurance: how much is it and what does it cover?

If you’re planning on getting married, you may be worried about how to keep costs low and the best way to avoid losing money. 

While you may have a budget, it can be difficult to stick to it even with the best of intentions.  

According to Hitched, a free wedding planning website, getting married in 2023 cost, on average, £20,700. 

If the unexpected happens, you could be facing an even higher overall bill. This is why wedding insurance may be worth considering. 

We’ll reveal what wedding insurance is, what it covers, any exclusions, and how much it’ll cost. 

Summary 

• Wedding insurance offers peace of mind if the unexpected happens, such as venue cancellations.  

• With the average cost of weddings exceeding £20,000, any issues can be costly. 

• Before buying a policy, understanding how wedding insurance works is vital.  

What is wedding insurance? 

Wedding insurance can be helpful if your big day doesn’t go according to plan or if you need to rearrange for various reasons, including venue or supplier cancellations, injuries, or accidents. 

This insurance policy may also cover damaged items, such as your wedding dress or stolen possessions. 

If you’ve spent years saving up for your wedding, anything that goes wrong that’s outside your control can be financially devastating, especially if you have to rearrange your big day. 

Wedding insurance offers cover in the lead-up to and on your wedding day, so it’s worth getting a policy as soon as possible, ideally before you sign any contracts. 

What does wedding insurance cover? 

Before you sign up for wedding insurance, it’s worth checking the terms and conditions to ensure you have the best protection and peace of mind you can get hitched, regardless of what happens.  

Wedding insurance typically covers: 

• Cancellation by your wedding venue: This usually covers various scenarios such as fires, floods, or even if your venue goes bust. 

• Illness, accidents, or death of wedding party members: You’ll be covered if you choose to postpone your wedding if a key wedding party member is ill, injured, or dies if it’s not linked to a pre-existing condition. It’s worth checking who is covered. 

• Supplier issues and damaged items: If your supplier gives you damaged items, fails to show up, or goes bust, you’ll be covered. 

• Lost, damaged, or stolen goods: Wedding insurance may cover you for expensive items such as your wedding dress, rings, or cake that are lost, stolen, or damaged, but time limits may apply to claims. 

• Personal liability and legal expenses: You should be covered if someone is injured at your wedding, or the venue is damaged. 

Wedding insurance should offer a payout for the above scenarios, whether to rearrange your big day, cover lost deposits, or cover any legal fees. 

Alternatively, the insurer may pay for a new venue rather than pay you the money, and they will usually subtract the cost of any excess.  

It may also offer coverage for extreme weather if the venue cannot be used or if technical faults affect wedding photos or videos. Still, it’s worth checking your policy specifically for these. 

You can get add-ons to your wedding insurance to cover marquees, overseas weddings, or even accidents involving ceremonial swords carried by military personnel.  

Will wedding insurance cover services or deposits I’ve already arranged? 

You should be covered if you haven’t lost your deposit before getting wedding insurance and have the necessary receipts and correspondence.  

What does wedding insurance not cover? 

There are some scenarios that wedding insurance won’t cover, including:  

• Accidents by guests: If a wedding guest is seen as at fault for an accident, you won’t be covered.  

• Bad weather: While some policies may cover you if the officiant cannot attend or the venue is unusable due to adverse weather, it’ll typically not cover poor weather. 

• Cancelling the wedding due to a minor issue: If you choose to cancel or rearrange your wedding because of a minor problem, you won’t be covered. 

• Changing your mind: You won’t be covered if you or your partner have cold feet and decide you don’t want to get married. 

• Money issues: You also won’t be covered if you cancel due to financial problems.  

How much does wedding insurance cost? 

The cost of insurance varies, depending on your budget and the type you opt for. A £20,000 wedding typically costs up to £150 for an insurance policy.  

Before you look for wedding insurance, it’s a good idea to calculate the overall cost and list all the expenses and optional extras you’re considering.  

You should then research to find the right policy to offer you peace of mind for your big day.  

Do I need wedding insurance, and when should I buy it? 

It’s worth considering wedding insurance if you’re worried about anything going wrong and being left out of pocket. 

While there are other ways to try and get money back via Section 75 if you pay by credit card or even a chargeback claim (if you pay by debit card), these are subject to specific criteria.  

Paying by credit card for goods or services between £100 and £30,000 means you’re covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.  

This means the credit card company and seller are jointly responsible if a company fails to supply the goods or services or they’re not as expected. 

Wedding insurance can offer financial protection when the unexpected happens beyond your control unless your suppliers agree to let you delay or rearrange your wedding at no cost, which is unlikely.   

If wedding insurance is right for your circumstances, it’s worth buying a policy as soon as possible, which can be up to two years in advance, so it covers the run-up to your wedding day and the day itself. 

Does wedding insurance cover our honeymoon? 

Wedding insurance will not cover your honeymoon. 

Instead, you’ll need travel insurance, which you should buy as soon as possible to protect you from unexpected events or cancellations.  

It’s worth shopping around for the best travel insurance policy so you have peace of mind before going on your honeymoon.  

Be sure to understand the full terms and conditions and any exclusions so your insurance covers you regardless of what happens.  

How to find the right wedding insurance policy 

You can do your research or use a comparison site to find the best wedding insurance for your unique circumstances.  

Before you start looking, make sure you have a list of the following: 

• An estimated overall cost of the wedding 

• The date(s) of the ceremony and reception 

• Details of the ceremony and reception – are these being held at the same venue? 

• You and your partner’s personal details 

• Whether you want any optional add-ons  

If you’re unsure if your insurance policy is right for you, it’s worth calling the provider to ask them to clarify anything beforehand. 

Want to keep the cost of wedding insurance low? Reducing the cost of your wedding, getting married in the UK, carefully considering how much coverage you need, and shopping around for the best deals are all ways you can keep costs down.   

Can I cancel my wedding insurance policy if I change my mind? 

Wedding insurance isn’t for everyone, so if you change your mind, you have 14 days to cancel the policy and get a full refund. 

You can also change your policy by contacting the insurance provider.  

How can I best protect my wedding day? 

Planning a wedding is stressful, and while insurance can offer peace of mind, there are some ways you can reduce the chance of any unwelcome surprises. 

• Carefully choose your suppliers: When researching suppliers, it’s worth reading reviews, checking they are qualified, meeting them in person, and exploring any portfolios of previous work.  

• Regularly check in with all suppliers: It’s a good idea to contact suppliers regularly and get written confirmation of what you’re expecting and when. You can also ask whether they have any backup plans - for example, if it rains during an outdoor ceremony. 

• Get expert help: If you’re considering anything specialist, such as fireworks, consider an expert with the experience and insurance to arrange this.

• Use a credit card: Paying by credit card for goods or services between £100 and £30,000 means the credit card company and seller are jointly responsible if a company fails to supply the goods or services or they’re not as expected. 

Need financial advice? 

If you need help reaching your financial goals, a qualified financial adviser can help. 

Whether you’re planning to invest, considering estate planning, buying a home, planning for retirement or the future, an adviser can offer valuable guidance.