Overseas Wedding Guide

Did you know that Australian couples spend an average of $34,715* on their weddings? It’s no wonder more of you are going overseas to say your vows!

Lured by cheaper prices, better weather and the opportunity to combine the ceremony and honeymoon, newlyweds can expect to save a heap of cash.

With all that cash being splashed, it simply wouldn’t do to go overseas without adequate cover to protect your dress, ring and all the other bling. Lets look at your cover options for getting hitched on holiday.

Overseas wedding insurance options…

It can be tricky to find cover for weddings being held abroad. With high costs associated, some insurers stay well away. But don’t worry, our wedding insurance extraordinaire Eugene Wylde has been ‘grooming’ the web for answers. Keep reading for cover options for soon-to-be brides and grooms.

Standard travel insurance

Standard travel insurance policies are great for your typical overseas jaunt and will cover you for any medical emergencies, lost luggage, trip cancellations, personal liability and way more…However they have limitations when it comes to cover for overseas weddings.

Whilst you can count on travel insurance to cover your stuff, most Australian travel insurers do not provide adequate cover for your expensive wedding jewellery, wedding attire, venue costs or cancellations. Consider the value of your wedding dress or wedding jewellery combined, at first $15,000 in baggage cover might sound like plenty, but you are probably not aware of the single item claim limits which could be as little as $700 per item. Hardly enough to cover the cost of the wedding dress or engagement ring.

Additional premiums can be paid to increase these single item limits, but generally these remain below $5,000. Beware that depreciation applies too!

It’s also important to note that some insurers do not actually offer cover for jewellery at all, so make sure you pick one that does!

Another option would be to insure items on your home and contents insurance policy. But if you do, make sure that your items are covered when you take them away from the home, often known as portable cover.

Compare overseas wedding insurance

Ready to take the plunge? Follow this link to compare wedding insurance quotes on Compareinsurance.com.au.

What's included?

An overseas wedding policy typically includes cover for:

• Wedding cancellation: A case of wedding jitters is unlikely to be covered, however if any of the following should occur know your covered for pre-paid costs in the event of: Death, injury or illness of any member of wedding party. Inability to use pre-booked wedding venue due to major damage, or closure or outbreak of infectious disease. Theft or damage to wedding attire. Non-attendance of pre-booked clergy, registrar, celebrant. Or adverse weather conditions such as flood, bush fire, snow, ice, cyclone, sever electrical storm etc that causes major disruption to venue and transport services.
• Insolvency of wedding services provider: Covers you for irrecoverable deposits paid or cancellation fees as well as reasonable costs you incur to arrange alternative wedding of the same standard.
• Photography and video recording: It’s bridezillas worst nightmare…the photographer is a no-show! Once the stress has passed know your policy covers you for pre-paid photography and video recording in the event that the photographer is unable to attend, or for loss, theft or damage to the original film, negatives or footage.
• Wedding attire: If you don’t want your first dance to be a disaster make sure you’re got cover for loss, theft or damage to your wedding attire and rings.
• Wedding gifts: You may well get five of the same present, but nevertheless the thought counts. Your wedding insurance policy will cover you for loss, theft or damage to your wedding gifts during the period of insurance, as long as the gifts have already been gifted to you.
• Wedding flowers and cake: You can’t miss out on throwing the bouquet! Your policy will also cover for loss, theft or damage to your wedding flowers and cake. Time limits will apply.
• Wedding cars and transport: It’s not ideal when your 1950’s Rolls Royce doesn’t start to not get you church in time. But at least you can have peace of mind that your wedding insurance policy will cover for the alternative travel arrangements you make.
• Professional counselling: Last minute nerves? We hope you never need it, however professional counselling is there if you need it as a result of the unavoidable cancellation of the wedding.

What's not included?

• Wedding cancellation by choice
• Rearrangement costs if the rearranged wedding is more than 1 year after the date of cancellation
• Photography and video recording costs incurred more than specified days after the wedding
• Losses arising in relation to any wedding services where you do not have a written contract in force
• Financial default of a wedding services provider if at the time of booking had already occurred
• Typical policy exclusions also apply such as no cover for pre-existing medical conditions

Thinking of getting married overseas? Here are some pros and cons to help you decide:

Pro’s

• The world is your oyster! You can chose to get married anywhere you want perhaps on a beach resort, in the jungle, or on top of a mountain.
• Cost Getting married abroad will probably work out cheaper than an Australian wedding, depending on how crazy you go that is.
• Number of guests The farther you travel, the less guests will be able to attend as not everyone will be able to afford the trip or to take the time off. For those looking to keep the occasion intimate and costs down, this is a plus.
• Sunshine! You can pick somewhere with a reliable climate.
• Honeymoon If you are already in a holiday destination then you are already on your honeymoon. Sweet savings!
• Wedding planner As you will not be in the country of the wedding full time, hire a wedding planner to do all the hard work for you.
• More than a day You've managed to get your family and friends together in the one place. Why settle for a special day when you can make it a special week. An overseas wedding is the perfect opportunity to create precious memories of quality time spent with the ones you love. Fun for everyone.

Con’s

• Number of guests A pro and a con, as mentioned above, the farther you go to get married probably means that more guests will be unable to attend. Do you want your special day without you closest friends and family?
• Paying for friends and family To guarantee your closest friends and family attending, you could offer to pay for flights and accommodation…but this will make the event very expensive.
• Reliable suppliers Make sure you trust the wedding planner, caterer, florist as you will not be in the country all the time to check up on them.
• Notice You will need to be uber organised and give people more notice than a wedding in your own country.
• Legal Make sure that your wedding in your chosen destination is recognised in your country of origin.
• Privacy After your wedding you may want to relax on your honeymoon but may be left with half the wedding party in your resort.

Helpful info and websites

Generally all overseas weddings are recognised in Australia and New Zealand and you will not need to register yourself married when you return. Here are some useful websites to help you get started:

• globalweddings.com.au
• myoverseaswedding.com
• yourbaliwedding.com.au
• visitlasvegas.com/trip-planning/trip-planning-au/

***Based on figures from the Easy Weddings 2023 Wedding Industry Report.

Here comes the bride!