The A – Zs of wedding insurance
Despite the name on the tin, Wedding Insurance is a whole world of questions and ‘really?’.
Most couples haven’t heard of wedding insurance.
Fair enough. Wedding insurance is relatively new in Australia despite being a big business in the US and the UK.
However, the questions we field aren’t because wedding insurance isn’t a reasonably descriptive title.
Instead, it’s because wedding insurance fascinates the couples we talk to.
Not just that it exists, but what wedding insurance covers and doesn’t cover.
And we’ve had all the questions!
“Does wedding insurance cover fireworks?” – answer, sort of. If the supplier fails to show up, you’re covered, though if the fireworks burn down the chapel, well, that’s on the firework supplier.
“Does wedding insurance cover wild weather?” – essentially, yes.
“Does wedding insurance cover my wedding if my partner gets cold feet on the day?” – sorry, though wedding insurance does not currently cover a change of mind. (Yet.)
So let’s walk through the A – Z of questions we hear and hopefully, we’ll answer a few of yours.
A – Attire ✔
Yes, wedding insurance covers the wedding dress, suit, or whatever the couple wears on the big day.
B – Bridesmaids ✔
It depends on what you’re asking. However, if, for instance, your wedding had to be rescheduled because a bridesmaid had Covid, with optional Covid coverage, you’d be covered by wedding insurance.
If the bridesmaid merely fell in the pool, no, we don’t have cover for that.
C – Catering ✔
A big YES for catering. Wedding insurance is excellent for wedding supplier failure. If the caterer goes out of business, takes your deposit, or fails to show up on the day, forcing you to make new and urgent plans, wedding insurance has your back.
But if the caterers serve shepherd’s pie with wattleseed potato on the big night?
Look, that’s a big NO for us – like mixing hazelnut coffee into mash 🤢 – though we don’t cover cooking faux pas at this stage.
D – Decorations ✘
A bit hard to answer this one. Wedding supplier equipment is definitely covered. We’d need specifics to answer much more.
E – Engagement ✘
We’ve written before about insurance for events such as engagement parties, and the answer remains: unfortunately, wedding insurance is only for the big day. Not the events leading up to it.
F – Florals ✔
Another great wedding supplier failure question and one we’ve had claims for. Yes, if the florist hits the skids and can’t return your deposit – something that happens from time to time – wedding insurance is your white rose.
G – Guest List ✔
I’m not exactly sure what you’d be insuring here, though if you need to cancel, postpone, or reschedule your wedding because of unforeseeable events, meaning your close family or bridal party cannot attend, wedding insurance covers most of these events.
As for Uncle Larry and his speech and subsequent dance floor activities, we will never insure that. Nobody could!
H – Honeymoon ✘
A very common question. You can get different types of insurance for your honeymoon, though wedding insurance is not one of them sadly.
I – Invites ✔
If it’s a wedding supplier failure issue here, absolutely.
If you accidentally invited your partner’s ex, you’ll need some other strategies to undo that!
J – Jewellery✔
Wedding insurance covers wedding bands around the time of the wedding.
Wedding insurance doesn’t cover engagement rings. Keep them on your finger.
K – Keepsakes ✘
When you think you’ve heard it all, a few weeks back, a customer asked if we covered the damage or loss of keepsakes: specifically, a large and framed photo of the bride’s departed grandparents.
Sadly, no. And we wish we could because we knew just how important it was that the bride’s grandparents were represented at her wedding.
Have to admit, that question left us a bit teary.
L – Location ✔✔✔
Our biggest area of claim is for wedding venues.
They’re statistically the first and largest deposit you’ll put down and the one that will hurt the most when the CLOSED sign is hung on the door.
Just ensure you have wedding insurance before you pay any deposits.
M – Music ✔
Music is subjective. A night of wall-to-wall Katy Perry might be someone’s idea of the perfect night (I’m not sure who), so music decisions aren’t included!
However, if the musicians, band, or DJ fail to show up and you’re out of pocket, you’re most definitely covered.
Oh, we also cover damaged DJ equipment because, well, Uncle Larry. (And we’re literally not making that name up.)
N – Nuptials ✔
You don’t hear that word very often in Australia and even we were left scratching our head.
Nuptials are the actual wedding ceremony, where vows are exchanged and the union is officially recognised. They are the core part of any wedding day.
And for much of that, wedding insurance probably has you covered.
Again, specifics, please.
O – Officiant ✔
If they fail to show up, we’ll cover you.
Otherwise, whatever else they might have done – or not done – should be covered by public liability insurance, assuming they have it, which they should.
Not asked this question very often TBH!
P – Photography ✔
Supplier failure = insured.
Bad photos = not insured.
Q – Quotes ✔
We’re sometimes asked why a couple wouldn’t take out wedding insurance and we managed to rustle up a few answers.
For everyone else, from the moment you start gathering quotes and paying deposits, that’s when you get wedding insurance.
And absolutely no less than 30-days out from the wedding because you’ve left wedding insurance too late.
R – Rings ✔
We covered this under J – Jewellery, so here are a few fun facts instead.
In 2019, the average bride’s wedding band cost $1,679 in Australia: $856 for the groom.
Statistics tell us however that when it comes to the ring, couples (one or both of you) spend between 4% – 8% of their annual salary on the diamond so budget accordingly.
S – Speeches ✘
We wish, we wish. We’ve heard some absolute shockers.
(Pro tip: beware if you see the best man lugging a projector screen to your wedding!)
Though we can’t cover icky stories and terrible jokes. Retribution is in your hands there!
T – Table settings ✔
Wine glasses are a common breakage at weddings – trays at a time sometimes – and we’ve got you covered there.
We’d need specifics though damage to equipment is covered by wedding insurance.
U – Ushers ✔
Look, power to you if you’ve got ushers at your wedding. Fancy!
If you’re paying the usher and they don’t show up, we’ve got you covered.
You’re job is to keep Aunt Claire and Aunt Margaret as far as possible apart!
V – Vows ✘
Nope.
W – Wedding cake ✔
If that cake doesn’t make it to your wedding in one piece, we’ve got you covered. (As long as a paid wedding supplier baked it!)
A guy named ‘Keg’ falling into the cake? Again, retribution is in your hands.
X – X-factors ✔
That’s why you’re marrying your soulmate: their x-factor.
If your partner can’t attend due to unforeseen circumstances and you need to cancel, reschedule, or postpone, wedding insurance is your x-factor.
Y – Years together ✘
Congratulations if you are finally, finally tying the knot!
And make sure you have wedding insurance to make the wait worth it!
Z – Zeal ✘
We know you have zeal. You both do. That’s why you’re together. That’s why you’re looking forward to being whatever combination of Mrs Mr Mr Mrs Mrs for the years to come.
Use that zeal to have peace of mind that your big day and night will go off without a hitch: and that if it does, you’re not out of pocket!
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