Wedding Insurance FAQs

What is wedding insurance?

Wedding insurance is a one-off insurance policy that can cover you financially if something unexpected affects your big day.

It can cover things such as cancellation or postponement, supplier failure, damage to wedding outfits, problems with photographs, or public liability claims on the day itself. The exact cover depends on the insurer and policy level you choose with premiums ranging between £20 and £300 depending on the level of cover you need.

What does wedding insurance usually cover?

Wedding insurance generally covers unexpected problems that are outside your control.

This might include illness, cancellation, supplier failure, wedding attire, rings, wedding cars, flowers, cake, catering, photography and public liability. Cover varies between policies, so always check the policy wording carefully.

See our wedding insurance cover page for a more comprehensive guide to what is covered by wedding insurance.

When should I take out wedding insurance?

You should really think about taking out wedding insurance before you start paying for any deposits.

Most policies are usually valid for up to 24 months before the big day, and buying early means your deposits are more likely to be protected providing "you know of no reason which may cause you to incur a claim before you purchase your policy".

Is wedding insurance a one-off payment?

Yes. The price quoted is usually a single one-off payment to cover your whole event.

Once purchased, the policy usually covers your wedding planning period and the wedding day itself, subject to the terms, limits and exclusions of the policy.

How much does wedding insurance cost?

Premiums range from around £20 for smaller weddings up to £400-£500 for larger celebrations.

The price will depend on the level of cover, any selected optional extras and the insurer. Wedding insurance policies start from a relatively low one-off cost, with higher cover levels costing more.

What is usually not covered by wedding insurance?

Wedding insurance usually excludes any situation or circumstances that you are already aware of before buying the policy.

It also normally excludes any voluntary decision not to go ahead with the wedding, often called "change of heart" or "disinclination to proceed" but more commonly referred to as 'cold feet'. Some exclusions vary by insurer, so it is important to read the policy wording carefully.

Why do I need wedding insurance?

Wedding insurance provides financial peace of mind on your wedding day.

Many couples spend vast amounts of money on their wedding day (the average UK wedding cost is around £25,000) and should the unfortunate happen, wedding insurance could mean you're not left financially out of pocket.

Is wedding insurance worth it?

Wedding insurance can be worth it if you are paying deposits or committing significant money to your wedding.

The more you spend, the more you could potentially lose if something goes wrong. A one-off policy for a relatively low cost can provide reassurance against major financial losses caused by events covered by the policy.

How much wedding insurance cover do you need?

You should choose a level of cover that reflects the total cost of your wedding.

Think about your venue, catering, outfits, photography, flowers, transport, rings, entertainment and any other major costs. You should also check the individual limits for each section, not just the overall cancellation limit.

Where can I find wedding insurance?

You can easily compare wedding insurance policies online.

Our comparison table is a good place to start - you can compare policies and cover from a number of UK wedding insurance providers to see which meets your needs best.

Does wedding insurance cover the honeymoon?

No, wedding insurance does not usually cover your honeymoon.

You will normally need separate travel insurance for your honeymoon. If you are getting married abroad, you may need both wedding insurance and travel insurance.

Am I already covered elsewhere?

You may have limited protection elsewhere, but it is unlikely to replace wedding insurance.

Your credit card or home insurance policy may provide you with some degree of cover. Home insurance policies may cover you for wedding gifts and deposits paid for by credit card might be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Either is no substitute for a more comprehensive wedding insurance policy though.

If we have to claim, will we have to pay an excess?

Possibly. Some wedding insurance policies have an excess and some do not.

If they do charge an excess, the amount tends to be from £25 to £100. Check policy wording carefully though as some insurers apply an excess to some policy sections but not others.

Are all wedding insurance policies the same?

No. Wedding insurance policies can differ significantly.

Some policies cover redundancy, deposits paid before the policy was bought (with varying lengths of exclusion period), gift vouchers or ceremonial swords, while others may not. Always compare both the price and the policy wording.

Does wedding insurance cover redundancy?

Some wedding insurance policies cover redundancy, provided there was no prior knowledge when the policy was taken out.

If redundancy is covered, the policy may help you recover deposits or cancellation costs. It will not usually pay the remaining balances so that the wedding can still go ahead.

Does wedding insurance cover change of heart?

No. UK wedding insurance policies generally do not cover change of heart.

If one person decides not to proceed with the wedding, this is usually called "disinclination to proceed" or "change of heart" and is normally excluded.

Does wedding insurance cover COVID-19?

COVID-19 cover varies by insurer.

Some policies exclude COVID-19 claims as standard, while others may offer limited protection through an optional add-on. Always check the latest policy wording before buying.

What happens if the wedding photos do not come out properly?

Wedding insurance may cover the cost of retaking photographs if the original images are lost, damaged or unusable due to a covered problem.

This is different from the photographer simply not attending. Cover can include reasonable costs for the couple and immediate wedding party to get together again for replacement photographs.

Does wedding insurance cover us if we cancel the wedding?

Wedding insurance can cover cancellation, but only if it's for one of the reasons covered by the policy.

Covered reasons can include serious illness, venue failure, supplier failure or extreme weather. It will not usually cover cancellation because one person changes their mind.

Can wedding insurance cover a pre-existing medical condition?

Pre-existing medical conditions may be covered in some circumstances, but you should check with the insurer before buying.

Many policies distinguish between stable, known conditions and more serious situations such as a terminal prognosis, pending test results or expected treatment. If in doubt, disclose the condition to the insurer.

Am I covered if the bride is pregnant?

Pregnancy will usually be covered, but check individual policies for any limitations

Some insurers will restrict pregnancy-related claims to after a certain stage of pregnancy, such as 28 weeks. Check the policy wording carefully if pregnancy may affect your wedding plans.

My wedding is in a marquee. Is this covered?

You will likely need additional marquee cover, usually available as a policy add-on.

Many wedding insurance policies offer marquee cover as an optional extra. This can protect against damage to the marquee or related equipment, depending on the policy.

What does wedding insurance cover if a supplier goes out of business?

Wedding insurance can usually help recover any deposits already paid and may cover additional costs to arrange an alternative supplier.

This can apply to venues, caterers, florists, photographers, cake suppliers and other wedding services, subject to the policy terms.

Is retaking wedding photographs covered?

Yes, many wedding insurance policies include cover for retaking wedding photographs.

This may apply if the photographer falls ill, fails to attend, or if the photographs are lost or damaged as a result of circumstances covered by the policy.

Can wedding insurance cover extreme weather?

Wedding insurance may cover extreme weather if it prevents the wedding from going ahead or stops key people from attending.

It will not usually cover ordinary bad weather, such as rain affecting outdoor photographs. It also will not normally cover weather problems that were already known before the policy was bought.

What if my cake, flowers, dress or wedding meal fails to arrive?

Wedding insurance may cover supplier failure or the non-arrival of key wedding items.

Depending on the policy, you may be able to claim for deposits already paid or the reasonable extra cost of arranging replacements.

Am I covered for flu or infectious illness?

Illness may be covered, but it depends on the policy and the circumstances.

Older concerns such as Swine Flu are now better handled as part of a broader infectious illness question. If illness is a specific concern, check the policy wording and ask the insurer whether that illness would be covered.

Can I cover a celebration held after the legal ceremony?

Possibly, but you should check the insurer's rules on multiple events.

Some couples have a small legal ceremony followed by a larger celebration on another date. Policies may limit the number of events covered or the number of days between them.

Does wedding insurance cover a wedding abroad?

Many policies can be extended to cover weddings abroad.

However, you should check the countries covered, whether rings and gifts are protected while overseas, and whether public liability cover applies outside Great Britain. Travel insurance is still usually needed.

What if the bride or groom is not British?

You can usually buy UK wedding insurance if at least one person taking out the policy is normally resident in the UK.

Rules vary by insurer, so check eligibility carefully if one or both partners live overseas.

My fiancé is in the army. Can we protect our wedding date?

Wedding insurance may cover cancellation or rearrangement if military leave is cancelled, but conditions apply.

Cover usually depends on leave having already been granted and there being no known risk of cancellation when the policy was bought.

Does wedding insurance cover civil partnerships?

Yes. Wedding insurance usually covers civil partnerships as well as weddings.

Policies can cover the ceremony, reception and related celebrations, subject to the same terms and limits.

Does wedding insurance cover Asian weddings?

Yes, but you should check the policy limits carefully, particularly regarding multiple events and any limit on the maximum number of guests.

Asian weddings may involve several events across multiple days, larger guest numbers and higher supplier costs. Make sure the policy covers the number of events, date range and total cost of the wedding.

Do wedding venues require public liability insurance?

Yes, some venues require couples to have public liability insurance up to a certain amount.

Public liability can protect you if someone is injured or property is damaged during the wedding. Even when it is not required by the venue, it's still worth considering.

How do I make a wedding insurance claim?

Contact your insurer as soon as you know there may be a claim.

Keep receipts, contracts, invoices, emails and written evidence from suppliers. The insurer will explain what documents they need and whether you should avoid making replacement arrangements until they have approved the claim.