What Is Wedding Insurance?

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Whether deep into the planning process or just getting started, you already know how time-consuming—and expensive—weddings can be. According to The Knot, the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. in 2025 exceeds $30,000.

In all the excitement, insurance might not be top of mind. But if you’re concerned about unexpected events that could disrupt your big day, wedding insurance is worth considering. It helps protect your financial investment in your ceremony and reception.

How Wedding Insurance Works

Wedding insurance is a type of special event insurance. You and your insurance company agree they’ll reimburse you for financial losses if something outside your control, such as illness, severe weather, theft, or power outages, affects your wedding day.

You’ll pay an upfront premium for the policy, and if a covered incident occurs, the insurer will reimburse you according to the terms of your policy.

A typical wedding insurance policy may include:

• Event cancellation coverage – Reimburses costs related to canceling or postponing your wedding.
• Event liability coverage – Covers injuries or damages that occur at the venue.
• Optional riders – Offer extra protection for items like wedding attire, rings, photographs, and rented equipment.

Some policies even allow you to extend coverage to your honeymoon, protecting you in case your travel plans are delayed or canceled.

Wedding insurance is generally available to U.S. citizens for weddings held in the country. If you’re planning a destination wedding, check with your insurance provider to see which locations outside the U.S. are covered.

Most providers require you to purchase your policy at least 15 days before the event.

Why Should You Buy Wedding Insurance?

Here are several reasons to consider wedding insurance:

Unexpected weather: Outdoor weddings are particularly vulnerable to weather disruptions. Severe conditions could delay travel, knock out power, or force a rescheduling, resulting in costly fees from venues and vendors. Insurance can cover these expenses.

Illness or injury: If you, your partner, or someone in your wedding party becomes ill or injured, you may need to postpone the event, increasing your costs.

Damage to items: Important items like wedding dresses, tuxedos, rings, or gifts could be damaged before or during your big day. Photos or videos might be lost or ruined. Wedding insurance can help cover the cost of replacements.

Theft: Items may also be stolen. While wedding insurance can cover stolen wedding bands, it typically does not include engagement rings. Consider a separate policy for that.

Damage to rentals: Damage to rented venues, attire, jewelry, or decor can be expensive. Wedding insurance may cover these costs, though it often excludes rentals not associated with the official venue unless specifically included in the policy.

Guest injuries: If a guest is injured and you’re held liable, event liability coverage can help pay their medical expenses.

Vendor no-shows: If your photographer, DJ, or caterer fails to show up, your insurance can cover the cost of replacements.

Important: Wedding insurance won’t cover everything. For example, it doesn’t reimburse you if you cancel due to a change of heart. It also won’t cover errors like a cake mix-up caused by miscommunication with your vendor.

What Level of Coverage Do You Need?

Only purchase coverage that aligns with your specific needs. If your wedding attire or jewelry isn’t especially costly, you may not need to insure them individually. Instead, you might opt for basic coverage that protects you from nonrefundable deposits and reservations.

Check your existing insurance policies first—such as homeowner’s or renter’s insurance—for personal property or liability coverage. Also, request proof of insurance from your vendors to avoid overlapping coverage.

How to Purchase Wedding Insurance

You can purchase a policy through an independent insurance agent or via a referral from your wedding planner.

The insurance company will ask you to complete an application detailing your event and the coverage you’re seeking. If your application is preliminarily approved, they’ll issue an insurance binder—a document confirming you’re covered during their evaluation period. If approved, the insurer will issue the final policy and premium rate. If not, you may need to apply elsewhere.

Premiums vary based on coverage. A basic policy can range from $75 to $550, depending on your wedding’s size, location, and complexity. Discounts may be available for lower-risk events.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

If an issue arises on your wedding day—a no-show DJ, a stolen gift, or a damaged dress—notify your insurer immediately. Provide a detailed inventory of any lost, stolen, or damaged property and keep a copy for your records. In case of theft, report it to the police and share the report with your insurer.

Avoid taking further action or disposing of damaged property until you’ve spoken with your insurance company. You may need to present the damaged items as part of the claim process.

Learn More from C&S Insurance

Wedding insurance isn’t mandatory, but if you’re making a significant financial investment in your celebration, it’s a smart way to safeguard your plans. Start exploring your options early in the planning process to ensure peace of mind.

Still have questions? We’re here to help. Speak with an independent insurance agent at C&S today.