Bali Wedding Disaster
Two years ago, Don and Linda decided it was time to tie the knot. They were successful, well established and though they were not wealthy, they were financially comfortable. They decided to invite 50 friends to Bali for the event. Instead of hiring a wedding planner, Don turned to his office secretary who had planned various business trips for him and gave her the job of preparing for the wedding.
The secretary went about the planning as she would for a business trip. She booked hotel rooms, put down deposits on the venue, photographer, florist, and caterer. She was proud that she arranged for the wedding gowns and tuxedos to be shipped directly to the 5-star hotel after altering. However, the secretary had never heard of wedding insurance. She did not take into account the personal aspect of this precious day. She handled everything as if the company would be responsible. This was her mistake.
As the wedding day approached, all eyes were on an ash cloud that was growing over the ocean. Airline tickets had been purchased, the luggage was packed, and Don and Linda had already paid $22,000.00. They went to sleep the night before they were to leave for Bali and when they awoke, all flights had been grounded and their wedding plans were completely wiped out… along with their money. Don was even more heartbroken when he discovered that his secretary had not insured the wedding. Thinking, he wouldn’t purchase a car for $22,000.00 without insurance. How did this happen?
With the help of a Plumfund account and friends and family who gifted Don and Linda with cash gifts instead of traditional wedding gifts, Don and Linda married in Fiji a year later.
Had they had wedding insurance
Wedding insurance would have protected Don and Linda from financial loss. There are times that things just happen that are not expected. Hurricanes, fire, vendors going out of business, sickness or injury and just plain bad luck.
Wedding insurance is surprisingly affordable and provides vital coverage against unforeseen cancellation, supplier failure, public liability and heaps more. You have cover if a vendor cancels at the last minute and their replacement is 3 times the cost. Coverage even includes damaged wedding gowns or stolen wedding rings or gifts.
What does wedding insurance cover?
- Cancellation/Rescheduling
- Supplier Failure
- Damaged/Stolen Rings, Gifts, Attire
- Damaged Hired Equipment
- Wedding Transport Issues
- Personal/Public Liability
Like all insurance policies, you have options on how much coverage you need. However, even the most expensive wedding insurance policies are reasonably priced when compared to your wedding budget… and worth every penny when your wedding is ruined or destroyed.
Don and Linda went on to have a wonderful wedding and honeymoon in Fiji. They celebrated with friends and family and gave thanks that everything went according to plan the second time around.
Don gives this piece of advice for anyone planning a wedding. “Look at it as a large purchase. You are spending as much as you would on some cars or on putting a deposit on a home. Do not invest your money without wedding insurance. It just makes good sense. One other thing. Hire a wedding planner.”