Wedding Insurance Abroad

Getting married abroad can make for an unforgettable wedding, whether you're planning a beach ceremony in Cyprus, an Italian countryside wedding or something further afield.

But organising a wedding overseas can also mean paying venues, planners and suppliers in another country months before you travel. Wedding insurance can help if something goes wrong, but if you're planning a destination wedding you'll need to make sure the policy covers your chosen country and provides the level of protection you need.

Can wedding insurance cover a wedding abroad?

Yes, many policies will cover weddings taking place abroad, although the cover available for overseas weddings differs between insurers.

As with a wedding in the UK, cover can include cancellation or rearrangement, problems with suppliers, wedding attire, rings and other important parts of the day. Depending on the policy, public liability may be included or available as an optional extra.

Cover for weddings abroad isn't necessarily identical to cover for a wedding in the UK, so it's worth looking particularly closely at any terms, limits or exclusions that apply overseas.

What should you check when comparing wedding insurance abroad?

Wedding insurance policies can differ considerably, particularly when the wedding is taking place outside the UK. Some of the things to look at when comparing cover include:

Where the wedding is taking place

Check that the country you're getting married in is covered by the policy, as some policies place restrictions on where overseas weddings can take place. Cover may also be unavailable where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel or all but essential travel, so it's worth checking the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination as well as the policy wording.

Cancellation and supplier failure

A wedding abroad can involve paying substantial deposits to venues, planners, photographers and other suppliers well in advance. Look at the limits for cancellation and the protection available if a supplier can no longer provide the service you've paid for.

Wedding outfits, rings and other items

If you're taking your wedding dress, suits, rings and other valuable items overseas, check when and where they are covered. Pay particular attention to any limits or conditions that apply while you're abroad.

Public liability

Some venues may ask you to have public liability insurance. If you need it, check both the amount of cover provided and whether it applies in the country where you're getting married.

More than one wedding reception

Destination weddings can sometimes involve several celebrations over a number of days. If that's the case, check how many events the policy will cover and whether there are any restrictions on the period between them.

Don't Forget Your Travel Insurance

Whilst wedding insurance can cover potential problems with your ceremony and reception, it won't normally cover your honeymoon or the other travel aspects of your wedding abroad. You'll need a separate travel insurance policy for that.

Covering things like unforeseen medical expenses while you're away, delays, cancellations or even lost baggage, travel insurance sits well alongside your wedding insurance policy.

Many of the major UK insurance companies, as well as smaller providers, offer travel insurance. Comparison sites can help you quickly compare a range of quotes from a number of leading travel insurance companies.

EHIC & GHIC Cards

If you're travelling to Europe for your wedding, it's worth checking whether a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is valid for your destination. Where it is accepted, a GHIC can give you access to necessary state healthcare on the same basis as residents of the country you're visiting.

If you still have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can continue to use it until it expires. Some people may also still be eligible to apply for a new UK EHIC.

Neither a GHIC nor EHIC is a replacement for travel insurance. They don't cover everything that a travel insurance policy can, so you should still arrange suitable travel insurance for your trip.

Before You Go

Having a wedding abroad is incredibly exciting and something that you and your guests are likely to remember for many years to come. With venues, suppliers and travel often booked well in advance, though, there can also be a lot of money committed before the big day arrives.

Taking out suitable wedding insurance alongside your travel insurance can provide some financial protection if things don't go to plan. Make sure you read the policy wording carefully before buying, particularly any conditions relating to your destination, cancellation and supplier failure, so you know the policy is suitable for your wedding.