The Insurance Talk: The Importance of Special Event Insurance for Your Wedding

Let's face it, insurance isn't exactly the most romantic part of wedding planning. But as a wedding couple, it's imperative that you protect yourself by obtaining special event insurance, as well as familiarizing yourselves with the different types of insurance and why they are so critical to your big day.

1. Understanding the Different Types of Insurance 

Many couples think of special event insurance as cancellation insurance. It is important you understand the two and the fact that they are not one and the same. 

General Liability Insurance (Special event Insurance): While venues have their own business liability and property insurance, our insurance policies do not protect you as the event host from liability; it protects the venue.  Special event insurance primarily focuses on protecting YOU from financial liability for accidents or damages that occur during the event itself; whether this is bodily injury, property damage, or third-party property damage.

Host Liquor Liability:  It’s important to remember that property damage extends beyond the building, and encompasses other items such as inebriated guests driving away and causing a car accident in which someone else’s property is damaged or people are injured, because in these instances, you as the event hosts, are likely to be named as a defendant in any civil case that might arise.  It is important to note that special event insurance is the only way for a couple to have host liquor liability coverage (since personal insurance policies or homeowners’ policies will not cover liquor liability), and a wedding where alcohol is served is at much greater risk for incidents.

Beautiful stone bar with live edge top in stunning barn wedding venue with hanging light fixture TV bar menu and wood shelving in Buffalo NY

Cancellation Insurance: This insurance protects YOU from financial losses if you need to cancel or postpone your wedding before it happens; whether that is for extreme weather, sudden illness or injury of the couple or a close family member, as well as military deployment.  Please note that most cancellation insurance policies will not cover “change of heart”; i.e., a break up or decision not to have your wedding for financial reasons.  Cancellation insurance is an option that you must choose when you are completing the application for special event insurance, and one that we highly recommend to all couples.

2. Why Do We Need It? 

Special event insurance will provide you, as the event hosts, peace of mind.  It's like a safety net, allowing you to fully enjoy your wedding without worrying about unforeseen and sometimes unpredictable issues. 

At Notting Hill Farm, we want you to have the most magical and stress-free wedding day possible. That's why we require event insurance, so you can relax knowing you're protected from unexpected situations that might otherwise ruin your special day.

3. Vendor Liability: 

Like most venues, we also require vendors to carry their own liability insurance.  This protects both the couple and the venue from liability in case of accidents caused by a vendor. This ensures that everyone involved is protected and that any potential issues are handled responsibly and by the appropriate parties, versus falling to you as the event host.

4. Resources and Support 

At Notting Hill Farm, we've partnered with Event Helper to offer our clients a streamlined process to getting event insurance. You can find more information on their website and if you use this direct link, all of our venue information will automatically populate. In just a few clicks, you will be protected, at the right coverages and required verbiage, at the very lowest cost on the market. 

5. Cost

We understand that it is an additional cost that may seem unnecessary, but it is a small price to pay (often as low as $1 per guest) for the peace of mind it provides. Most people will not hesitate to obtain insurance for a vacation on which they’ve spent several thousand dollars, but will be reluctant to protect their wedding investment, which is often tens of thousands of dollars.

On such an important day, and with all the work you are putting into planning it, we want to ensure you are protecting your investment.  While no wants to think about something going wrong with their wedding, life is full of surprises. Special event insurance is a small investment that can make a big difference when things don’t go according to plan. From inclement weather and vendor issues to personal liability and cancellations, wedding insurance helps you navigate the unexpected with confidence.

Supporting Local

At Notting Hill Farm, we’re committed to raising awareness about the importance of supporting locally owned wedding venues. You can make a difference by writing a Google review, following these venues on social media, and sharing recommendations whenever you can. Your support means the world to us and to small business owners across the country. We’re excited to give a heartfelt shoutout to some of our incredible venue owner colleagues nationwide. If you’re planning your big day, consider choosing a locally owned venue—find some of the best through the Wedding Venue Map.

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Photo credits: Photo 1 - Lindsey Robinson Photography; Photo 2 - Molly Brooke Photography