By Kristin Sullivan, General Manager of The Alice – Former Luxury Destination Wedding Planner
With more than two decades of experience planning luxury destination weddings across Florida and the Caribbean, I can say with confidence: one of the most important (and often overlooked) conversations I have with couples is about wedding insurance.
From beachfront estates to historic venues, I’ve planned celebrations in breathtaking locales—but nature and the unexpected don’t always follow the timeline. Hurricane season, travel disruptions, or last-minute vendor issues can quickly turn dream days into difficult ones. That’s why wedding insurance isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
What Is Wedding Insurance, and Why Should You Care?
Today’s couples are making significant financial investments in their weddings. From custom-designed décor to exclusive culinary experiences, the details matter—and so does protecting them. In fact, many venues now require liability coverage just to book your date, and cancellation insurance is fast becoming a must-have for couples planning events with premium partners and vendors.
The Benefits of Wedding Liability Insurance
If your venue requires liability coverage (and many now do), event insurance satisfies that requirement with ease. Most policies are:
- Simple to purchase online
- Affordable and flexible
- Accepted at thousands of venues nationwide
- Automatically include alcohol liability when disclosed-so make sure to disclose
From luxury resorts to barns, vineyards, museums, or coastal properties like ours at The Alice, liability coverage is an easy box to check—and one that offers invaluable protection.
Why Cancellation Insurance Is Worth Every Penny
Now more than ever, couples are adding cancellation insurance to their wedding plans. If you have to cancel or postpone for reasons beyond your control, this coverage can reimburse non-refundable deposits, vendor payments and other contract costs. You will be shocked to learn how affordable these policies are compared to what you are spending on your celebrations.
It Can Protect You Against:
- Hurricanes or severe weather
- Sudden venue closures
- Canceled flights or impassable roads
- Key family members unable to attend
- Vendor no-shows or disruptions
- Damaged or stolen wedding attire
- The cost of retaking photographs
Policies typically need to be purchased at least 14 days before your event to ensure weather-related incidents are covered. Planning ahead is key.
Real Life: Hurricane Ian, 2022
When Hurricane Ian hit Florida in 2022, it was initially forecasted to strike Tampa and Sarasota. Instead, it devastated the southwest coast—destroying homes, businesses, and wedding plans in its path. I know this personally. I lost my home, Airbnb and office to Ian, and many of my clients had to make last-minute cancellations or relocate their events entirely.
It was a powerful reminder that no matter how seasoned your planner or how stunning your setting, some things are beyond your control. What is within your control is how you prepare.
For clients who had wedding venues booked for late 2022 and 2023 were of course affected by this storm when venues were damaged and destroyed.
At The Alice, we do require every couple to protect their celebration.
We believe peace of mind is part of the luxury experience. We have no affiliation with any of the recommend trusted providers listed below:
- WedSure
- WedSafe
- Travelers
- Markel
These reputable companies offer tailored policies that can meet your venue requirements and safeguard your investment—so you can focus on what matters most.
Your wedding is one of life’s most beautiful milestones. Protect it like the treasure it is.
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