Should You Invest in Wedding Insurance? What Couples Need to Know
Why Wedding Insurance Is a Must for Every Celebration
Whether you're planning a full wedding weekend with a $150,000+ investment or a more intimate celebration with a smaller guest list, one thing is true across the board: weddings involve a significant financial commitment—and no matter your budget, that investment deserves protection.
From vendor retainers and venue deposits to custom décor and guest experiences, even a modest event can face serious disruptions if something goes wrong. At Michelle Leo Events, we encourage every couple to explore event insurance as a smart, proactive way to protect their wedding day from the unexpected.
What Is Wedding Insurance?
Wedding insurance is a type of special event coverage designed to protect your financial investment in the event of unforeseen circumstances. There are two primary types:
Liability Insurance: Covers property damage or injuries that occur during the event.
Cancellation/Postponement Insurance: Reimburses you for non-refundable costs if your wedding is canceled or postponed for covered reasons.
Some policies also offer protection for lost or stolen gifts, weather delays, vendor issues, or even attire damage.
Why Wedding Insurance Matters—No Matter Your Budget
While luxury weddings naturally carry a higher financial risk, even micro-weddings and elopements involve non-refundable deposits, vendor contracts, and unpredictable variables. No couple is immune to weather delays, illness, or last-minute cancellations.
Whether your event involves a six-figure budget or a smaller-scale celebration, insurance offers peace of mind that your financial investment won’t be lost to unforeseen setbacks.
What Wedding Insurance Typically Covers
Most comprehensive policies include the following:
Liability Coverage:
Property damage or injury that occurs during the event
Host liquor liability if you're serving alcohol
Venue-required general liability coverage
Cancellation/Postponement Coverage:
Severe weather (like snowstorms, hurricanes, or flooding)
Sudden illness or injury of a key participant
Vendor no-shows or bankruptcy
Military deployment or travel disruptions
Venue closure or damage before the event
Optional Add-Ons:
Lost or stolen gifts
Wedding attire and jewelry coverage
Photography or videography reshoots
Tent or rental item protection
“Cancel for Any Reason” coverage (available through select providers)
💡 Tip: Some luxury venues and vendors require liability insurance. Check with your planner early to ensure you're covered.
When Should You Buy Wedding Insurance?
The earlier, the better. Cancellation and postponement policies often need to be purchased within 14 to 30 days of your first deposit or signed vendor contract. Liability-only policies can usually be added closer to the wedding date—but waiting too long may limit your options. For more guidance on early planning decisions, check out our Wedding Planning Timeline: How to Start Wedding Planning to make sure you're securing coverage—and everything else—at the right time.
How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost?
Pricing varies depending on guest count, location, event size, and the level of coverage. Here’s a general guide:
Liability-only policies: Starting at $100–$250
Liability + cancellation/postponement: Typically $250–$600+ for larger events
Add-ons or “Cancel for Any Reason”: May add $100–$300 to the total
Couples planning high-end weddings should choose a policy with cancellation coverage that matches the total investment for the entire weekend.
How to Get Started with Wedding Insurance: 5 Smart Steps
Once you’ve reviewed the costs and benefits, here’s how to move forward with finding the right coverage for your wedding:
Know your timeline.
Some insurance providers allow you to purchase coverage right before the event, but others—especially those offering cancellation protection—require that you buy a policy weeks or even months in advance. The sooner you begin, the more options you'll have.Check your existing insurance.
You might already have some protection under your homeowners or renters insurance policy. Many couples are able to add a wedding rider for minimal cost, so it’s worth a quick call to your provider before purchasing a separate policy.Consult your venue.
Some venues include general liability coverage in their rental fees. Others require you to purchase your own and provide a certificate of insurance. Clarifying this early will help you avoid duplicate coverage.Contact your credit card provider.
Certain credit cards offer purchase protections or chargeback support under the Fair Credit Billing Act. If a vendor doesn’t deliver as promised, your card company may be able to help—just be sure to read the fine print and keep documentation.Purchase the additional coverage you need.
After evaluating the above, move forward with securing a wedding insurance policy tailored to your specific needs. Choose a provider that offers clear terms, responsive customer service, and adequate protection for your total event investment.
💡 Tip: Don't forget to insure all major components of your weekend—ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, and farewell brunch if applicable.
Recommended Wedding Insurance Providers
The providers below offer customizable policies, clear terms, and strong customer service:
MARKEL – Well-established in the wedding industry; offers liability + cancellation combos
WEDSAFE – Popular for including host liquor liability and fast online quotes
WEDSURE – Offers flexible coverage options and high liability limits
eWED – Known for no-deductible plans and competitive pricing
Protect My Wedding – User-friendly platform offering affordable, straightforward cancellation and liability packages for weddings of all sizes
The Event Helper – Fast online quotes and instant certificates of insurance; ideal for meeting venue requirements, even on short notice
BriteCo – Excellent for jewelry protection with wedding policy add-ons
Jewelers Mutual – A top choice for engagement ring insurance, now offering wedding event coverage as well.
For couples looking to simplify their insurance decisions, Jewelers Mutual offers a convenient way to protect both your engagement ring and your wedding celebration under one trusted provider. Known for their exceptional jewelry coverage, Jewelers Mutual now offers wedding event insurance—including liability and cancellation options—that can be bundled with your existing or new ring policy. This one-stop solution not only streamlines the process but ensures that your most meaningful investments are fully protected from proposal to “I do.”
💍 Bonus: If your engagement ring was insured through Jewelers Mutual from the start, adding event coverage through the same provider can help reduce paperwork and speed up the claims process if anything goes wrong.
💡 Tip: Every provider structures their policies a little differently—some allow bundling with jewelry coverage, others specialize in last-minute liability. We recommend comparing a few based on your event details or asking your planner for guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Insurance
Q: Does wedding insurance cover COVID or pandemics?
A: Most policies still exclude pandemics, but a few providers offer “Cancel for Any Reason” upgrades that may cover pandemic-related concerns at an additional cost.
Q: Can I insure a rehearsal dinner or brunch?
A: Yes! Many policies allow you to cover multi-day events including welcome dinners, rehearsal events, and farewell brunches.
Q: What documentation do I need to file a claim?
A: Receipts, signed contracts, and proof of payment are typically required. Keep your documentation organized throughout the planning process.
Is Wedding Insurance Worth It?
Absolutely. Whether you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime destination celebration or a smaller event close to home, insurance is one of the smartest steps you can take. It protects your finances, eases stress, and allows you to focus on the joy of your wedding day—not the "what ifs."
At Michelle Leo Events, we help our clients design exceptional weddings, and that includes recommending smart, proactive steps like investing in the right insurance coverage.
Final Thoughts…
Your wedding deserves to be celebrated—not stressed over. Investing in event insurance ensures that no matter what happens behind the scenes, your celebration is protected. From unpredictable weather to vendor surprises, having a safety net allows you to be fully present, surrounded by the people and moments that matter most.
Looking for more expert tips on what to do and when?
Check out our Wedding Planning Timeline for a step-by-step guide on when to book vendors, secure your coverage, and make confident planning decisions from the very beginning.
