Don't leave wedding insurance off the list

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- Make sure your wedding's covered
- Keep your finances in check

The wedding season is here and many happy couples across the UK will soon celebrate their big day.

But how prepared are they for things to go wrong? Does insurance figure in their plans alongside venues, outfits, rings, flowers and photographers?

With weddings now costing an average of of £18,000 it really does pay to protect your big day should disaster strike.

What wedding insurance covers

Wedding insurance should cover the cost of most unforeseen big day mishaps, with the exception of the bride or groom not going through with the wedding through suffering cold feet.

Couples may be forced to cancel their wedding due to reasons beyond their control such as family illness, death or even jury service.

There may be complications with the venue or suppliers cancelling at the last minute or going into administration.

Wedding insurance would cover any loss of deposits and additional costs incurred in finding an alternative venue.

If you're tying the knot abroad, there are a number of potential disasters which an overseas wedding insurance policy can protect you financially against.

Couples can experience delays and risk missing arriving at their wedding venue on time.

Luggage containing the wedding dress could go missing or bad weather could prevent the ceremony taking place.

What you need to do

• It's sensible to take out wedding insurance as soon as you start putting down deposits.

• Make sure that you obtain receipts and confirmation of the bookings and services in writing as you will be asked for these in the event of a claim.

• As with all insurance policies, it pays to read the policy terms and conditions thoroughly so that you know exactly what you can and can't claim for.

• Some insurers will provide cover for pre-existing medical conditions while others will exclude it.

• Always check the excess levels carefully as this is the amount you will have signed up to pay up front in the event of any claim.