Insurance

Planning and hosting a wedding costs a lot of money. On average, a typical wedding costs $26,501, according to the 2011 Brides American Wedding Study. With that kind of investment, any bridal couple would be wise to consider including wedding insurance in their budget—just in case.

“There are so many different things that can happen, things that are unforeseen,” says Missy Simpson, a personal insurance advisor at Poland & Sullivan in Newark. “It gives you peace of mind.”

Several companies offer specific insurance for weddings. Insurance covers such items and situations as lost or damaged dresses, lost rings, ruined photos, damaged gifts, cancellation or postponement due to weather, military deployment or death in the family. There is also an option from Fireman’s Fund covering a “change of heart,” or cold feet.

Premiums for a $25,000 celebration range from $320 to $420, including liability coverage.

Simpson says that, though couples don’t like to think about a disaster befalling their celebration, more and more people are investing in wedding insurance. “We’ve sold a good number of policies in the last couple of years,” she says.

Why hire a wedding planner?

Ask any couple: Planning a wedding is a lot of work. There are countless decisions to make, and most bridal couples are woefully inexperienced when it comes to putting together such a huge event. Sometimes the best thing a couple can do is hire a wedding planner.

A wedding planner can help you refine your ideas, hook you up with the appropriate vendors and make sure you stay within budget. Experienced planners have spent years cultivating relationships with vendors, so they can often get the couple the best deal. “We’re the advocates for the bride and groom,” says Erin Proud, owner of Proud to Plan in Greenville (656-6897, proudtoplan.com).

But the most important role a wedding planner can play is in orchestrating the wedding day itself. Indeed, some couples opt for day-of planners. The planner keeps things moving by coordinating vendors, checking the status and accuracy of deliveries, gathering everyone for pictures, and calming nerves.

“I never get rattled, no matter what happens,” says Jo Anne Hewlett, owner of Make a Memory Event Planning in Newark (731-4140, makeamemoryde.com).

As for price, a planner’s fees depend on the level of service. Expect to pay several thousand dollars for full service from engagement through the honeymoon. But if you don’t need—or can’t afford—someone to shepherd the entire process, you can cut costs by hiring a planner to assist only during the last few weeks before the ceremony or during the event itself.

Plus: How to handle the nightmare before blissfulness.