Do I need insurance for a destination wedding?

Key takeaways

• Destination weddings can be covered by both wedding insurance and travel insurance with wedding cover

• Wedding insurance covers the ceremony itself, while travel insurance protects your trip and offers limited cover for wedding items such as attire and gifts

• Not all wedding insurance policies cover weddings abroad as standard – weddings overseas can usually be included as an add-on

• Some wedding insurance policies only cover legally recognised weddings, not symbolic ceremonies

Do I need insurance for a destination wedding?

You don't legally need insurance to get married abroad, but it's usually worth having to protect the money you've invested if something goes wrong. There are two different types of insurance couples getting married abroad can take out:

• Travel insurance with wedding cover

• Wedding insurance

Although there can be some overlap in what they protect, these two insurance products are not interchangeable and it is generally recommended couples take out both to fully protect their destination wedding.

For example, travel insurance with wedding cover may include limited cover for wedding attire, rings and gifts, but it won't protect the cost of the ceremony itself.

What's the difference between wedding insurance and travel insurance with wedding cover?

Wedding insurance is designed to cover the wedding itself, while travel insurance protects your trip and includes a limited amount of cover for wedding-related items.

Wedding insurance is best suited to couples spending a significant amount on their ceremony. It can cover cancellation, suppliers, deposits, the venue, wedding attire, rings and gifts, with cover limits typically matched to the overall cost of the wedding. Some policies also include public liability cover for the ceremony or reception.

Travel insurance with wedding cover is primarily designed to protect your holiday. It includes benefits such as emergency medical treatment, lost luggage and delayed or cancelled flights, while also providing a modest level of cover for wedding items such as dresses, suits, rings and gifts. However, it won't replace dedicated wedding insurance if you need protection for the cost of the ceremony itself.

What does wedding insurance cover?

Wedding insurance is designed to protect the money you've spent on your wedding, rather than the trip around it. Cover typically includes:

• Cancellation or rearrangement - if an essential participant can't attend due to accident, illness or death (changing your mind doesn't count)

• Supplier failure - if your venue, caterer or another supplier lets you down or goes out of business

• Wedding rings - if they're lost, damaged or stolen before the big day

• Photography and video - if your photographer fails to show up or the images are damaged before you receive them

• Personal and public liability - if you or a guest damages the venue or someone is injured

💡 Top tip: Cover for a £20,000 wedding typically costs under £150, though the exact price depends on your cover level, guest numbers, and any add-ons like public liability or marquee cover.

Does wedding insurance cover destination weddings?

Some wedding insurance policies cover destination weddings, but some only cover UK weddings, with overseas cover sold as a separate option or add-on.

Always check your policy documents for exclusions before assuming you're covered.

What should I check before buying wedding insurance?

Before buying wedding insurance, check that the policy covers your specific plans. Some insurers only cover legal marriage ceremonies, so if you're legally marrying in the UK before holding a symbolic ceremony abroad, you may not be covered.

You should also check whether your destination is covered, how the policy treats costs paid in foreign currencies, and whether it includes your honeymoon. In most cases, you'll need separate travel insurance for the honeymoon, as wedding insurance only covers the wedding itself.

Do I also need travel insurance for a wedding abroad?

Yes. Wedding insurance only covers the wedding. It doesn't cover you, your partner or your guests for the trip itself – so it’s best to take out travel insurance too.

Travel insurance covers emergency medical treatment, cancelled or delayed flights, lost luggage and other standard travel risks, none of which fall under a wedding insurance policy.

If you don't want to take out a specialist wedding insurance policy, some travel insurance providers offer wedding cover as an add-on. This adds a fixed amount of protection for things like wedding attire, rings and gifts while you're away – but at a lower level of cover than a dedicated wedding policy, and without cancellation cover for the wedding itself.

💡 Top tip: The average cost of travel insurance with wedding cover is £29.16^{^}.

Is it cheaper to get married abroad?

Whether it’s cheaper to get married abroad depends on the size of the wedding, not just the destination.

The average UK wedding cost £21,990 in 2026, excluding rings and honeymoon, according to Hitched's Wedding Industry Report.

Figures from Perfect Weddings Abroad put the average cost of an overseas wedding at about £8,500. This includes the wedding ceremony, all events (i.e. cocktail reception, dinner reception and evening party & entertainment) for 20 people and the holiday for the wedding couple.

However, weddings held overseas tend to have a smaller guest list than UK weddings. A like-for-like wedding abroad won’t necessarily be cheaper. So the saving usually comes from a smaller, more intimate wedding rather than the destination itself being cheaper.

Couples will also need to decide whether they will pay for guests’ travel and accommodation or whether guests will be expected to cover these costs themselves.

Can I get legally married abroad?

Before planning a wedding abroad, check whether you're legally allowed to marry or register a civil partnership in your chosen destination. Rules vary by country and may depend on nationality, residency requirements, or whether the country recognises same-sex marriage or civil partnerships.

You'll also need to understand the local marriage process and make sure you have the required documents. Your wedding planner, the local marriage authority or the person conducting the ceremony can advise on the legal requirements.

What are the legal requirements for getting married abroad?

Every country sets its own rules for foreign nationals marrying there, and requirements can change, so always check the local laws before booking anything.

In particular, pay attention to:

• Certificate of No Impediment (CNI): Many countries require this as proof from the UK that there's no legal reason you can't marry. You get one by giving notice of marriage at your local register office, and it can take a few weeks to arrive.

• Documents: You’ll usually need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, a full birth certificate, and – if relevant – your decree absolute or a former spouse's death certificate.

• Apostille and translation: UK documents often need to be legalised with an apostille stamp and translated into the local language by an approved translator.

• Residency periods: Some countries require one partner to have been resident, or physically present, for a set number of days before the wedding – this varies by country.

You can use the UK government website to find out what you’ll need for the country you choose.

Travel insurance isn't a legal requirement for getting married abroad, but it's usually worth having, particularly because medical treatment abroad can be far more expensive than in the UK.

Will my marriage be legal in the UK if I get married abroad?

Yes. Your marriage will be legal in the UK if you get married abroad as long as you follow the legal marriage process in the country where you marry.

You don't need to register the marriage again when you return, although you can apply for a UK marriage certificate through the General Register Office if you'd like one for your records.

Be aware that some countries have specific legal requirements. For example, France requires a civil ceremony before a religious wedding, while in Turkey only civil marriages have legal standing.

Where can I get married abroad?

Some of the most popular locations abroad for UK nationals to get married include countries in the Mediterranean like Greece or Italy, as well as the Caribbean, India, Australia, and Pakistan.

However, not all countries allow foreigners to get married as and when. Some, like France, may require a residency period of a month – and at least one person has to have a home or other residence in the country. And while you can ‘marry’ in the Maldives, the wedding is not legally binding.

💡 Top tip: Worldwide travel insurance doesn't always include the Caribbean as standard. You often need to upgrade your policy to cover the USA, Mexico and the Caribbean because of the high medical costs.

Can same-sex couples marry abroad?

Whether same-sex couples can marry abroad depends on the destination, so it’s important to check before you book.

Same-sex marriage is legally recognised in popular wedding destinations for UK couples such as France, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Malta.

However, several other popular destinations don't offer same-sex marriage:

• Italy and Cyprus recognise same-sex civil unions, but not marriage

• Turkey and the Maldives do not legally recognise same-sex relationships

• Recognition across the Caribbean is mixed – some islands with Dutch or other European ties allow it, while others don't

Because of complex and ever-changing rules about same-sex marriage, it’s common for same-sex couples to have their legal ceremony in the UK, where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2014, and then travel abroad for a symbolic ceremony and celebration.

If that's your plan, check whether your wedding insurance policy requires the insured event to be your legal wedding, as that will affect what you will be covered for.

How can I organise a wedding abroad?

Planning a wedding overseas can be more complicated than organising one at home, but careful preparation can make the process much smoother. Here are a few ways to stay on top of it:

1. Consider hiring a local wedding planner. They can help with paperwork, language barriers, suppliers and local logistics, and may even save you money.

2. Research your destination. If possible, visit before the wedding to view venues, meet suppliers and get a feel for the area. It's also worth checking the local climate so you can choose the best time of year.

3. Book early. Planning ahead gives you more choice and may help you secure better prices on venues and suppliers.

4. Think about your guests. Travelling abroad can be expensive, so give guests plenty of notice and choose a destination and date that's realistic for their budgets and schedules.

What do I need to get married in Italy?

Italy is a popular choice for UK couples, especially the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Tuscany and Rome. There's no minimum residency requirement, making it one of the easier European destinations for a legal wedding.

To get legally married in Italy:

• You'll need a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) and a bilingual Statutory Declaration.

• Your CNI is valid for six months (or three months if issued in Scotland).

• Documents must usually be submitted to the local Comune a few days before the ceremony.

• If you've been divorced or widowed, Italian law may require a 300-day waiting period, although exemptions are available.

• Italy recognises same-sex civil unions, but not same-sex marriage.

What do I need to get married in France?

A legal wedding in France must begin with a civil ceremony at the local mairie (town hall). Religious or symbolic ceremonies alone aren't legally recognised.

To get legally married in France:

• One partner usually needs a 30–40 day residency connection to the local area.

• You'll need a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI), a full birth certificate and French translations of your documents.

• Many UK couples marry legally in the UK first, then have a symbolic ceremony in France to avoid the residency rules.

• Same-sex marriage has been legal in France since 2013.

What do I need to get married in Spain?

Since Brexit, it's become difficult for UK couples to marry legally in Spain.

To get legally married in Spain:

• For a civil ceremony, one partner usually needs to have been a legal resident in Spain for at least two years.

• Catholic religious ceremonies don't carry the same residency requirement, but do require other paperwork

• Most UK couples marry legally in the UK first, then hold a symbolic or religious ceremony in Spain.

• Same-sex marriage has been legal in Spain since 2005.