Do you need wedding insurance for getting married abroad?

Short answer

Wedding insurance is not a legal requirement for getting married abroad, but it is a sensible way to protect your money if flights, venues or suppliers let you down. Check the policy covers overseas weddings and any travel risks before you buy.

Wedding insurance is not required by law, but it can be a wise safeguard when you are planning a wedding in another country. You are coordinating travel, accommodation and suppliers from a distance, so there is more that can go wrong. A good policy can cover cancellation, rearrangement, lost deposits and sometimes legal fees if a supplier fails you.

Before you buy, check what the policy actually covers. Some policies only cover weddings in the UK, so look for one that explicitly includes overseas ceremonies. You should also check whether it covers extreme weather, strikes, illness or travel disruption, and whether it covers the ceremony itself or just the travel elements.

If you are having a civil ceremony abroad, the legal requirements vary by country. Some countries require you to be resident for a set number of days before the wedding. Others ask for documents to be translated or legalised. The rules can change, so check the GOV.UK page for the country you are marrying in, and contact the local embassy or consulate before you commit to anything.

Insurance will not fix a legal problem, but it can help if your plans fall apart. If you are unsure, speak to your travel insurer and your wedding insurance provider to see what overlaps. That way you are not paying twice for the same cover.