While risk-planning and romance mix about as well as oil and vinegar, smart wedding planning at least considers the possibility that something big could go wrong. There are many things that could bring a long-planned wedding to a grinding halt. But once the wedding invitations have been mailed and the wedding venue deposit paid, none makes a couple feel as helpless as a weather-related disaster.
Assess Wedding Date and Location Risks
Weddings today cost on average $20-$35 thousand dollars, depending on where you live. This kind of investment makes risk-planning pretty important. To start with, every couple (and wedding planner worth their fees) should think through the seasonal and regional risks based on their wedding date and location, including such things as:
- WINTER WEATER – Winter weddings in a snowy or ice-storm prone region?
- HURRICANES – Coastal or Caribbean wedding during hurricane season?
- WILDFIRES - Southwestern wedding during the dry season?
- TORNADOS – Midwestern wedding in the springtime?
- EARTHQUAKES – West coast wedding in earthquake territory?
- POLITICAL TURMOIL ABROAD – Destination wedding in a volatile region or one prone to strikes (Greece, anyone?)
The vagaries of recent U.S. weather patterns, earthquakes in unexpected places, and deepening political and economic crisis abroad are signals to protect your financial wedding day investment. Here are 3 steps you can take as part of your wedding planning process:
Know You Vendor Cancellation & Refund Policies
Get your vendor cancellation and refund policies in writing. Ask specifically about cancellations and refunds for unplanned natural events, including crediting deposits for postponements, or the possibility of a full refund (most do not).
Purchase Event or Wedding Insurance
Since most vendors will have some limits on refunding deposits and other paid monies to protect themselves, an important option is to purchase wedding event insurance. One example we’re familiar with is WedSafe from Aon, which can reimburse you for cancellation or postponement due to weather, illness, or unplanned military leave, and more, and cover things including:
- Lost deposits or vendor bankruptcy
- Damage to your wedding gown, wedding photographs, jewelry and more
- Nonrefundable deposits if you are forced to postpone the entire event for other reasons
An average $25K wedding can be covered for less than $300 in most states, covering you at a level you choose for non-refundable deposits as well as major, event-related expenses like attire and video-photography.
Have a Back-up Plan
It’s not a bad idea to have at least discussed the practicality of what you would do as a couple should your wedding day be cancelled for any reason. Ask yourselves, do you have an alternate date and/or location that works if needed? You’ll rest easier by taking these simple steps early on. Then focus your attention on finding those unique wedding invitations for your special day at www.looklovesend.com. Take the chance to win $500 in our monthly Wedding Invitation Sweepstakes to use towards your favorite wedding invitations. 
