Insurance for a wedding is something a lot of people don’t think about, and often don’t know that it even exists.

What would you do for compensation if your dress was ruined?  If your photographer or videographer didn’t show up?  If the baker made you a baby shower cake in error?  While some companies have a great policy in their contracts for such incidents, often times there are vendors who do not have those types of policies in place, or if the vendor suddenly goes out of business unexpectedly, the couple is left with the bill.

Wedding insurance is a cost effective way to sleep easy.  For Canadians, companies such as WedEnsure, offer great and affordable coverage for your big day.

Things that you can look for to be covered in your policy from WedEnsure (or similar companies) are:

1. Cancellation or Postponement Expenses 
   A large concern for any bride and groom is the wedding being cancelled or postponed. WEDensure will cover the expenses that result from the cancellation or postponement of a wedding. We will pay for any deposits that were placed before your wedding and lost due to a delay or cancellation. For example, if you placed a non-recoverable deposit on transportation and hotel accommodation before the wedding was cancelled, we would pay for the deposit.
2. Additional Expense Incurred to Avoid Cancellation:
   WEDensure will pay for expenses that are used to avoid a wedding cancellation. For example, if the groom is traveling on a plane to the wedding and the flight is cancelled, WEDensure would pay for another ticket so that the groom can attend the wedding.
3. Failure of Suppliers 
   WEDensure will pay for any non-recoverable deposits from a supplier who fails to provide their services as agreed upon. For example, if a photographer is unable to attend a wedding due to an unforeseen circumstance, we would pay for the cost of another photographer.
4. Wedding Attire
   WEDensure will cover any damage to your wedding dress or suit after it has left the supplier and before the conclusion of the wedding. For example, if the bride’s wedding dress is damaged, we will pay for either the tailoring or replacement cost of the dress.
5. Wedding Rings
   Similar to the wedding attire, this coverage will pay for any damages to the wedding band. The band is insured starting from seven days before the wedding until the conclusion of the event.
6. Wedding Gifts
   WEDensure will pay for any damages to your wedding gifts up to 24 hours after receiving it. The gift must be either at your house, the reception, or in transit between your house and the reception.
7. Transportation
   WEDensure will reimburse the non-recoverable deposits that were paid to a transportation supplier if they fail to meet their contractual obligations. For example, if the limousine that takes the bride and groom away from the reception cancels their commitment, we will pay for the costs of another transportation vehicle.
8. Photographs, Video, DVD, or other Medium
   WEDensure will reimburse the expenses incurred to correct, take, or retake the wedding photographs or videos within 90 days of the wedding.
9. Wedding Cake and Flowers
   WEDensure will pay for any direct loss or damage to the wedding cake or flowers seven days prior to the wedding until the conclusion of the reception.
10. Wedding Stationery
    This coverage will pay for any direct physical loss or damage to wedding stationery prior to the wedding. Examples of wedding stationery include: invitation cards, RSVP cards, menus, name cards, itinerary, etc.
11. Rented Property
    WEDensure will provide reimbursement for direct physical loss or damage to any rented property used during the wedding or reception.
12. Honeymoon
    WEDensure will reimburse you for any pre-paid, non-recoverable costs of travel arrangements for the honeymoon due to the cancellation or postponement of the wedding.

I’ll bet this is sounding pretty great after reading this!  You can contact WedEnsure, or a company in your city/country for quotes, but the average policy is around $250-500 depending on the coverage you select.

Another very valuable, and in my opinion the most valuable, type of insurance to get to protect yourself on your wedding day is Liability Insurance.  Policies like this will offer usually one to two million dollars in liability for the host couple for a price range of around $125.  These policies can be obtained from your local insurance broker (for Saskatoon – any of your SGI brokers).

When alcohol is involved, you always want to assume that people (especially the loved ones at your wedding) will make the right choices, but that isn’t always the case.  Unfortunately, people can make horrible judgement errors that can hurt themselves and others, and the host couple can be on the hook for liability in this scenario.  Protect yourself from the financial repercussions that can come from being named in a legal proceeding for the actions of your guests at or after your reception.  $125 seems like a small price to pay for the security that comes with Liability Insurance.

In summary, you never want to sit and think of the things that could go wrong with your wedding day, but as Planners – we feel it is our job to ensure that our clients are aware of the possibilities and how they can protect themselves.  Insurance is one more way that couples can breathe a little easier in preparation for their big day.

Information for numbered points is directly pulled from the WedEnsure website

Piggy Bank Photo : www.everystockphoto.com

Wedding Photo: Handy Special Events