You spend months planning a wedding you’ll remember forever. Wedding insurance is there to help protect that day if something unexpected happens. From injured guests to vendor no-shows, let’s break down what wedding insurance covers, what it doesn’t, and when’s the best time to buy.
Busy with wedding plans? Here’s the short answer:
When booking a wedding venue, most contracts require you to have wedding liability insurance to cover accidents like guest injuries or venue damage.
💒 Need proof of insurance? Get a free quote with Insurance Canopy.
What Wedding Insurance Is & Why Venues Require It
Wedding insurance is designed to protect you from paying out of pocket for unexpected accidents that happen at your wedding. Whether you’re the couple or the parents, wedding hosts typically buy insurance to meet venue requirements.
When a venue asks for proof of insurance, they’re asking for two things:
- A Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing you’re covered up to a specific limit
- You’ve listed them as an “additional insured” to protect them from paying for your damages
This coverage refers to wedding or event liability insurance, while cancellation/postponement insurance is a separate, optional policy that protects your financial investment if plans change.
Good to know: At Insurance Canopy, we currently offer wedding host insurance, which is what most venues require. Cancellation coverage is on the way.
Covered vs Not Covered: Wedding Insurance at a Glance
Wedding insurance helps protect you from costly surprises. This chart shows which type of insurance you need, what’s covered, and what’s not, so you know what to expect.
| Covered | Not Covered | |
|---|---|---|
|
Wedding Liability Insurance (venue-required) |
✔️ Guest injuries ✔️ Accidental damage to the venue ✔️ Accusations of slander or libel ✔️ Alcohol-related incidents (when it’s served, not sold) ✔️ Legal defense costs |
❌ Injuries to you or your partner ❌ Intentional damage ❌ Certain high-risk activities ❌ Damage to your own property |
|
Wedding Cancellation Insurance (optional)
|
✔️ Non-refundable deposits ✔️ Vendor no-shows ✔️ Venue closures ✔️ Postponement due to military deployments ✔️ Cancellations due to named weather events |
❌ Change of heart or cold feet ❌ Your own failure to pay ❌ Deposits paid before coverage began ❌ Disease outbreaks or pandemic-related cancellations |
What’s Covered
Wedding insurance is like a seatbelt for your celebration. You don’t expect to need it, but if something goes wrong, these examples show how having coverage makes a huge difference.
Wedding Liability
Required by most venues, wedding liability is event insurance that can cover unexpected accidents that happen before, during, or after your wedding, including:
- Injuries to others
- Property damage to the venue
- Accusations of slander or libel
- Alcohol-related accidents (when alcohol is served, not sold)
| Example | How Insurance Helps |
|---|---|
|
A bridesmaid trips while dancing and sprains her wrist |
Medical expense coverage pays for her medical care |
|
Your wedding arch falls and puts a hole in the venue’s wall |
Damage to rented premises covers repair costs |
|
A guest at the open bar crashes into the venue’s sound equipment |
Host liquor liability (included) pays to replace the equipment |
🥂 Thinking About A Cash Bar?
If you’re hosting a wedding but charge for alcohol, whether by ticket, donation, or cash, you’ll need to add retail liquor liability insurance to your policy.
Cancellation/Postponement
Cancellation insurance can reimburse certain non-refundable costs if your wedding has to be canceled or postponed for reasons like:
- Extreme weather
- Vendor no-shows
- Venue closures
- Illness or injury to key people
- Military deployment
| Example | How Insurance Helps |
|---|---|
|
A severe storm knocks out power to the venue |
Covers costs to postpone and rebook your venue and vendors |
|
The groom becomes seriously ill shortly before the wedding |
Reimburses non-refundable deposits for a medically necessary postponement |
|
Your caterer goes out of business a week before the ceremony |
Covers the cost of hiring a replacement caterer |
Wedding Attire, Rings, Gifts, & Photo Coverage
Some wedding insurance policies offer additional coverages to protect specific parts of your day, including:
- Attire: Coverage if a wedding dress or suit is lost, stolen, or damaged
- Jewelry/Rings: Protection if wedding rings are lost or stolen
- Gifts: Coverage for stolen or damaged wedding gifts
- Photos/Video: Reimbursement if a photographer fails to deliver your photos
If the ring bearer loses the rings or a photographer’s files are compromised, add-on coverages like these help. Keep in mind, each add-on has a specific coverage limit, meaning the policy only pays up to the amount listed on your policy.
What’s Not Covered (So You’re Not Surprised)
Wedding event insurance can’t cover every situation. While coverage and limits vary by provider, these scenarios are commonly not covered:
- Change of heart: Voluntary decisions to not continue the wedding, like getting cold feet
- Known issues: Includes ongoing medical concerns, venue closures, or existing damages
- Lack of permits: Your wedding is shut down because you don’t have the required permits or approvals
- Illegal activity: Injuries or damages caused by illegal actions, such as underage drinking
- Certain diseases: Outbreaks or pandemics specifically excluded in the policy
- Government shutdowns: Restrictions or closures ordered by the government that aren’t covered under the policy
- Non-venue owned equipment: Damage to rented decor, tents, or equipment not owned by the venue (you’ll need to add bailee protection, if offered)
- Late vendors: A vendor shows up late, leaves early, or delivers poor service
When hiring vendors like caterers, bartenders, or DJs, ask for proof of vendor insurance. Not only will your venue need copies, but some accidents that aren’t covered by your policy may be covered under theirs.
Details to Know About Your Wedding Insurance Policy
Just like choosing your color palette, getting the details right matters when buying insurance for your wedding. These are the key things to understand before you buy:
- Named insureds: The person signing the venue contract should be listed as the named insured, with the venue(s) added as an additional insured
- Coverage dates: Cover the whole schedule, including rehearsal dinner, post-ceremony brunch, and any setup or teardown required on the day before or after
- Limits: Venues typically require a specific liability limit, while cancellation coverage is usually based on the total cost of your wedding
- Add-on coverages: Coverage for rings, gifts, or photos has set limits and may include a small deductible
- Excluded activities: Certain activities, like fireworks or bounce houses, may not be covered if they’re excluded in your policy
- Documentation: Filing a claim usually requires copies of contracts and receipts, so keep them together in one folder so they’re easy to find
How Much Does It Cost to Get Insurance for a Wedding?
With Insurance Canopy, you can buy wedding liability insurance for as low as $88 for 1–4 days of coverage. That means your rehearsal, ceremony, and reception are all covered under one policy for an affordable price.
Your wedding is one-of-a-kind, and the total cost of your policy will depend on your guest count, festivities, limits, and optional coverages you choose.
When Should I Buy Wedding Insurance?
The best time to get wedding insurance is once you book the venue and before sending out save-the-dates. This way, you can send your COI, hire vendors, and make deposits knowing you’re covered if something goes wrong.
Once you’re ready, get proof of insurance in minutes when you:
- Get a free, online quote
- Select your coverages
- Add additional insureds (now or later)
- Purchase and download your COI instantly
So You Can Focus on Saying “I Do”
Your wedding day is about making memories with loved ones, not worrying about what could go wrong. Wedding insurance by Insurance Canopy gives you peace of mind, so you can focus on the moments that matter most.
FAQs About What Wedding Insurance Covers
Is Wedding Insurance Worth It For Backyard or Micro-weddings?
Yes. Insurance for backyard weddings is worth it because even small weddings can still cost thousands of dollars. Homeowners insurance usually does not cover special events, so wedding insurance helps protect you from liability claims and unexpected costs.
Are Vendor Cancellations Covered If They're Just Late?
No. A late vendor is not considered a cancellation. Wedding cancellation insurance typically only applies if a vendor completely fails to show up or does not deliver services at all.
If you are worried about a vendor showing up late, carefully review their contract to see how they handle compensation for clients if they are unable to perform their services on time.
Do I Still Need My Own Policy If The Venue Has Insurance?
Yes. You still need your own wedding liability insurance even if the venue or their bar services have coverage. The venue’s policy protects them from lawsuits, not you. Your policy covers injuries or property damage caused by your event, including alcohol-related incidents.
Venues usually require you to have your own policy and list them as an additional insured.
Can Parents Buy Wedding Insurance Instead of the Couple?
Yes. Parents or other hosts can buy wedding insurance if they have a financial interest in the event. In many cases, the person paying deposits or signing contracts should be listed as the named insured on the policy, even if the wedding is for someone else.
