Rise in premium weddings: How insurance fits into the new planning mix

India’s peak wedding season is shaping up as a high-value one for hotels and event venues, with hospitality players reporting stronger bookings and a shift toward premium, experience-led celebrations. The same factors — larger budgets, destination formats and advance planning — also push families to pay closer attention to financial protection for wedding-related risks.

Luxury and heritage hotels say wedding demand this December is stronger than a year ago, supported by overseas guests and niche domestic markets.

“December is looking very promising for us, with strong numbers from the US and European markets,” said Nitin Sud, Cluster General Manager, Ajit Bhawan. “The wedding business has increased versus last year, and clients are more focused on service quality and the overall product rather than price.”

The trend is particularly visible at boutique and destination properties.

“We are witnessing a rise in intimate yet elevated wedding celebrations,” said Kaushik Ghosh, Hotel Manager, The Claridges Nabha Residence.

According to him, couples are choosing non-metro destinations such as hill stations and heritage properties, favouring privacy, exclusivity and curated experiences over large guest lists. He added that bookings for personalised, multi-day celebrations have grown compared with earlier in the year, with many families securing dates 6-9 months in advance.

Insurance enters the planning phase

As wedding formats evolve and spending concentrates on fewer but higher-value events, insurers say families are factoring risk management into planning much earlier.

“Couples and families today are far more aware of the financial exposure attached to weddings, from advance venue payments to travel blocks for guests,” said Pankaj Kumar Goenka, Chief Business Officer, InsuranceDekho. “This awareness is leading them to evaluate insurance as a way to protect those commitments.”

According to Goenka, destination weddings and the dependence on multiple vendors — caterers, decorators, photographers, logistics partners — have expanded the range of risks families consider. Weather uncertainty and travel disruptions during peak months have also influenced decision-making.

Brokers say this has translated into higher inquiry volumes and larger cover sizes.

Rushik Patel, Associate Director, Corporate Business, EDME Insurance Brokers, said wedding-related policies this season typically cover sums ranging from ₹75 lakh to ₹7 crore, depending on the scale of the event.

Premiums generally fall in the 0.20-0.50% range, making the cost of cover relatively small compared with overall wedding budgets.

What risks shape coverage choices?

Insurers identify a consistent set of exposures during peak wedding months between November and February. These include adverse weather affecting outdoor venues, last-minute rescheduling, and vendor non-performance where large advances are non-refundable. Liability-related risks — such as accidental injury to guests or damage to venue property — are relevant as weddings involve complex stage setups and technical installations.

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“The more frequent scenarios we see relate to weather disruptions, vendor defaults and venue-related liabilities,” Goenka said.

He added that insurers respond by offering bundled wedding policies that combine cancellation or postponement cover, third-party liability, protection for jewellery and valuables, and travel-related risks for destination events.

A look at available wedding insurance policies