What does wedding insurance not cover?

Wedding insurance is designed for unexpected events, not for things you can control or predict. It will not pay out if you simply decide to cancel because you have changed your mind, or because a guest cannot attend. It also will not cover normal wear and tear, such as a dress getting dirty or a button coming loose.

Weather is a common area of confusion. Rain on its own is not covered. But if a storm makes the venue unsafe or inaccessible, and the wedding cannot go ahead, that is usually covered. Check the policy for the exact wording around weather.

Illness is covered only if it is serious enough to stop the wedding, and you will need medical evidence. A cold or a mild illness will not qualify. Pre-existing conditions are often excluded, so if you or your partner have a long-term health issue, tell the insurer when you buy the policy.

Supplier failure is covered by most policies, but not all. Some policies exclude it if the supplier goes bankrupt, so read the terms. You are also not covered for losses caused by your own actions, such as forgetting to book a registrar or losing the rings.

If you are unsure whether a situation is covered, phone the insurer before you rely on it. The rules can change, so check your policy document and the GOV.UK pages on wedding insurance if you need official guidance.