Illness and family emergencies
You, your partner or a close relative dies, becomes seriously ill or is injured before the wedding.
Wedding insurance
Protect your big day with wedding insurance.
What is wedding insurance?
Wedding insurance provides financial protection for one of the most expensive and important days of your life.
Policies generally cover the costs of cancelling or rearranging your wedding if:
You, your partner or a close relative dies or becomes seriously ill or injured
Your venue can no longer host the wedding because of an insured event, such as a fire, flooding, adverse weather, or the loss of its alcohol or food licence
The person due to conduct the ceremony no-shows and no replacement can be found
Wedding insurance can also cover the loss, theft or damage of key parts of your wedding, such as the dress, rings, flowers, cake and photographs.
Another key component of wedding insurance is personal liability cover, which is often included for the couple and can be extended to cover your guests as an add-on.
Do I need wedding insurance?
There is no legal requirement to take out wedding insurance. However, many wedding venues require you to have public liability insurance as a condition of booking.
Given the average wedding now costs £21,990
What are my rights if a wedding vendor does not show up?
If a wedding supplier fails to turn up, they are likely to be in breach of contract and you may be entitled to a refund or compensation under consumer law. However, if the supplier is unwilling to cooperate, you may need to take them to the small claims court to recover your money, which can be stressful and time-consuming.
Whether your wedding insurance can help depends on which supplier fails to attend.
Policies often cover the cost of a marriage official failing to attend if a replacement cannot be found, a professional photographer or videographer not turning up, and wedding transport failing to arrive. However, it is less common for insurance to cover other suppliers failing to meet their contractual obligations, unless that situation is specifically covered by the policy or results from the supplier's financial failure.
What are my rights if a wedding vendor cancels in advance?
If a supplier cancels before your wedding, they will usually be contractually obliged to refund any money you've paid, such as a deposit. However, they are not generally required to provide a replacement supplier or pay additional compensation, although many reputable vendors will try to help by recommending alternatives, particularly if they cancel at short notice.
If you have a valid contract with your supplier but they cannot refund you because they've gone out of business, wedding insurance may reimburse your financial loss if your policy includes financial failure cover. However, it will not usually cover the extra cost of hiring a more expensive replacement supplier, compensate you for disappointment or having to go without that supplier's services, or cover losses resulting from a supplier's poor workmanship, negligence or illegal behaviour.
What are my rights if I'm not happy with a wedding vendor?
If you're unhappy because the service you received from a wedding vendor was poor or not what was promised, you should raise the issue directly with the supplier. Under consumer law, you may be entitled to ask them to put things right, offer a price reduction or provide a refund, depending on the circumstances.
Wedding insurance may cover some serious issues where a service wasn't delivered at all, but it is unlikely to help with complaints about quality. Most policies specifically exclude claims where a supplier did not provide the agreed standard of service.
For example, you might be able to claim if your photographer experiences a technical failure that results in the loss of all your wedding photos. However, you would not usually be covered if you're simply unhappy with the quality of the photographs or videos, for example because they're blurry or do not include shots you specifically asked for.
Average UK wedding cost in 2026:
£21,990^
Average UK wedding loan in 2026:
£7500^
What is wedding liability cover?
Many wedding venues will require you to take out personal liability cover.
Personal liability cover, also known as public liability insurance, pays the compensation costs if someone is injured or their property damaged during your wedding or reception and you are held legally responsible.
Examples of issues you could be responsible for include:
Damage to the venue or supplier property e.g. spilling wine on an expensive rug or knocking over the photographer's camera
Guest and staff injuries e.g. someone trips over trailing wires from the sound equipment you hired
Most wedding policies include liability cover for the bride and groom as standard, and give the option to upgrade your policy to include liability cover for your guests for an extra fee.
What does wedding insurance cover?
Different wedding insurance policies will have different inclusions and exclusions, but the following is standard:
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Often covered
Cancellation costs if your wedding cannot go ahead because of an insured event
Costs if your wedding or reception has to be cut short due to an insured event
Financial losses if a wedding supplier stops trading (subject to waiting periods)
Loss, theft or damage to ceremonial clothing
A photographer or videographer not turning up, losing your images or suffering a technical failure
Loss, theft or damage to your wedding rings, flowers, gifts and wedding cake
Wedding transport failing to arrive or breaking down
Personal liability if you're held legally responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property
Personal accident cover if you suffer a serious accidental injury
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Usually not covered
Changing your mind about getting married
Poor-quality work or suppliers failing to meet the agreed standard of service
Most pre-existing medical conditions and terminal illnesses
Anxiety, stress or depression unless specifically covered by the policy
COVID-19 (some insurers allow you to upgrade your policy to include this protection)
Payments made more than 90 days before the policy started
Supplier financial failure within 45 days of buying the policy or where the supplier was already in financial difficulty
Redundancy or a change in your financial circumstances
Events that were already known about when you bought the policy, such as severe weather warnings
Additional costs for hiring a more expensive replacement supplier
What wedding cancellation reasons am I covered for?
Individual policies can differ, but common insured events are:
-
-
Venue problems
Your venue cannot host your wedding because of fire, severe weather, damage, or the loss of its food or alcohol licence.
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Key supplier financial failure
If your venue, caterer or other key supplier stops trading and can't provide the services you've paid for.
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The ceremony can't take place
Your marriage official no-shows, or severe weather stops you or the majority of your guests attending.
What wedding insurance add-ons are available?
Some types of cover are not usually included as standard, but can be added to your policy for an extra fee:
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Marquees
You are generally responsible for damage or loss to marquee structures while you are renting them
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Guest personal liability
Covers you if a guest accidentally causes injury or damage during your wedding
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Honeymoon cover
Helps protect your honeymoon costs if you need to cancel or cut your trip short due to an insured event
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Covid-19 cover
Extra protection for certain wedding disruptions linked to Covid-19, depending on your policy
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Excess waiver
An optional extra that can reduce or remove the excess you pay when making a claim
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Ceremonial swords
Cover for loss or damage to military swords, sometimes used in weddings as ceremonial attire and to cut the cake
How much does wedding insurance cost?
Wedding insurance in the UK typically costs between £50 and £150 for average-sized weddings.
However, the price you pay will depend on factors such as the total cost of your wedding, the level of cover you choose, and any optional extras you add, such as marquee cover or public liability insurance.
Type of policy | Average cost |
|---|---|
Basic cover | From £20–£50 |
Average UK policy | £50–£150 |
Comprehensive cover | £150–£300+ |
Why get wedding insurance through WedCover?
Cancellation cover up to £80,000, Financial Failure of Suppliers up to £32,000 & much more!
Optional extras include Excess Waiver, Marquee Cover & Public Liability!
Rated excellent on Trustpilot with a 4.7 out of 5 score.
Simple in-house claims process
T&Cs apply- see policy details
What insurance do I need to get married abroad?
If you're tying the knot in a different country, you should consider taking out travel insurance as well as wedding insurance.
Some travel insurers offer wedding cover as an add-on, with extra protection for loss or damage to elements like gifts, rings, photos and the wedding dress.
However, you'll generally get the most comprehensive cover by taking out two separate insurance policies. Make sure your wedding insurer covers destination weddings, as many standard policies are for UK events only.
Travel insurance with wedding cover:
£29
.16^
(Average price paid by our customers.)
Why compare wedding insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket?
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Quotes from top UK insurers
All our insurance providers are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
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Quick and easy
Give us a few details and we'll show you multiple quotes in minutes, saving you time and effort.
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We're trusted
MoneySuperMarket is the UK's most recommended price comparison website
^ .
Our expert says…
If the unexpected forces your wedding to be cancelled or postponed, it is often not just your own money that's at risk. According to the Bridebook Wedding Report 2026, 59% of couples receive financial support from family for their wedding day, while one in five take out personal loans to help cover the cost.
While it won't cover every worst-case scenario, wedding insurance can help protect the money that's already been invested in your big day. It can provide peace of mind that should one of the disasters covered by your policy happen, the savings your family contributed won't be lost and you won't be left repaying loans for a wedding that never took place.
Lucas Mansilla Life & Health Insurance Expert
What's the best wedding insurance?
Here's how to find the right policy for your personal needs:
-
Add up costs
Start by adding up the cost of the big event and how much you would be out of pocket if you had to cancel or rearrange. This will give you an initial guide to how much cover you may need.
-
Shop around
It’s then wise to shop around to compare quotes for cover. MoneySuperMarket lets you see a variety of quotes from many UK providers that all offer different levels of cover and add-ons.
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Pick your perfect policy
Not all wedding policies offer the same level of cover and the cheapest may not always be the best wedding insurance for you. Make sure you are aware of your policy exclusions
Wedding insurance guides and expert tips
Does wedding insurance cover illness?
It depends on the policy and who becomes ill.
Many wedding insurance policies cover cancellation or curtailment if you, your partner or a close relative become seriously and unexpectedly ill or injured and cannot attend the wedding. (Definitions of 'close relative' can vary between providers.)
However, pre-existing medical conditions, mental health conditions and infectious diseases like Covid-19 are often excluded or require additional cover, so always check the policy wording carefully.
Policies may also cover you for cancellation if your marriage official is unable to attend because of illness and you cannot source a replacement in time for the ceremony to go ahead.
Does wedding insurance cover me if I'm not getting legally married on the day?
Not always, so check your policy wording carefully if you are planning to hold your legal ceremony on a different day to your wedding celebration.
Some policies only cover weddings where the legal ceremony takes place on the same day as the celebration. Others may also cover non-legal ceremonies or celebrations held after you've already legally married, provided this is declared when you buy the policy.
If you are planning to hold celebrations over multiple days (for example, holding a reception in two different countries) you will generally find that standard wedding insurance policies will only cover you for one event.
Can I change or cancel my wedding insurance policy?
Yes, most wedding insurers let you make changes if your wedding plans change, although an administration fee or additional premium may apply. If your wedding becomes more expensive than anticipated, you may also be able to increase your level of cover.
You'll usually have a 14-day cooling-off period to cancel your policy for a full refund, provided you haven't made or intend to make a claim. After that, you may still be able to cancel, but you might not receive a refund.
Will my honeymoon be covered by my wedding insurance?
No, standard wedding insurance generally doesn't include honeymoon cover. But some insurers offer it as an optional add-on.
Honeymoon cover usually covers prepaid travel and accommodation costs if your honeymoon has to be cancelled because your wedding was cancelled for a reason covered by the policy. Otherwise, you'll need separate travel insurance for your honeymoon.
When should I buy wedding insurance?
It's usually best to buy wedding insurance as soon as you start paying deposits or signing contracts with suppliers. Buying early means you're protected if something unexpected happens before the wedding, although some parts of your cover may not begin immediately. For example, some policies have waiting periods before financial failure cover starts.
How do I make a claim on my wedding insurance?
Contact your insurer as soon as you become aware you may need to claim, before making cancellation arrangements with your suppliers if possible.
You'll normally need to provide evidence such as invoices, contracts, receipts, bank statements or medical reports, depending on the reason for your claim. If you're claiming for theft or criminal damage, you'll usually need to report it to the police and obtain a crime reference number.
Once your insurer has assessed and approved your claim, they'll reimburse your covered losses up to your policy limits.
How can I lower the risk of needing to claim on my wedding insurance?
You can't prevent every unexpected event, but you can reduce some of the risks. Use reputable suppliers and keep written contracts for everything you book.
Store important items, such as wedding rings and attire, securely before the wedding, and let your insurer know if your plans change.
If something does go wrong, contact your insurer promptly and take reasonable steps to minimise any financial loss, as your policy may require this.
Does wedding insurance cover bad weather?
Wedding insurance often covers severe weather than prevents the day going ahead, but won't pay out for general bad weather such as it raining on the day of your outdoor ceremony.
However, many policies will cover cancellation or postponement if severe weather, such as flooding or heavy snow, makes it impossible for you, your partner or a significant number of guests to reach the venue.
The exact conditions vary between insurers. Some policies specify the proportion of guests who must be unable to attend before you can claim, so always check the policy wording carefully.
Does wedding insurance cover wedding rings, gifts and the wedding dress?
Yes, many wedding insurance policies offer some protection for wedding rings, gifts and wedding attire if they're lost, stolen or accidentally damaged. However, cover limits and conditions vary so check your policy wording carefully.
For example, you may only be covered if items are stored securely or if the loss or theft is reported to the police. There are usually limits on how much you can claim for any single item, so if you have particularly valuable wedding items, check whether you need additional cover.
Some policies also only cover items for a limited period before and after the wedding, so it's also worth checking exactly when your protection starts and ends.
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Is wedding insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
No, at this time wedding insurance is not an eligible product for unlocking our SuperSaveClub rewards. It is also not included in our Price Promise.
Reviewed on 10 Aug 2026 by
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
Lowest representative APR for loans between £7.5k and £15k. Accurate on 09 June 2026. Subject to credit status.
Source: Hitched Wedding Industry Report, 2026. https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/organising-and-planning/the-average-wedding-cost-in-the-uk-revealed/
Data from Bridebook, 2026. 'Wedding Insurance UK: Do You Need It & How Much Does It Cost?' https://bridebook.com/uk/article/how-much-does-wedding-insurance-cost
Based on the median loan amount from enquirys made on MoneySuperMarket in July 2026 where the purpose of the loan was Wedding.
Data based on the median price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket with wedding cover in April 2026.
