Luxury and heritage hotels indicate that wedding demand this December is outperforming last year, thanks to international guests and specific domestic markets.
“December is shaping up to be very promising for us, with robust figures from the US and European markets,” noted Nitin Sud, Cluster General Manager, Ajit Bhawan. “The wedding business has seen an uptick compared to last year, with clients prioritizing service quality and the overall experience over cost.”
This trend is especially pronounced in boutique and destination venues.
“We are noticing a surge in intimate yet sophisticated wedding celebrations,” stated Kaushik Ghosh, Hotel Manager, The Claridges Nabha Residence.
According to him, couples are opting for non-metro destinations such as hill stations and heritage sites, prioritizing privacy, exclusivity, and curated experiences instead of large guest counts. He added that bookings for personalized, multi-day events have increased compared to earlier this year, with many families reserving dates 6-9 months in advance.
Insurance is now part of the planning phase
As wedding formats change and expenditure narrows down to fewer, higher-value events, insurers reveal that families are integrating risk management sooner in their planning processes.
“Couples and families today are much more cognizant of the financial risks associated with weddings, from deposit payments for venues to travel arrangements for guests,” remarked Pankaj Kumar Goenka, Chief Business Officer, InsuranceDekho. “This heightened awareness is prompting them to consider insurance as a means to safeguard those financial commitments.”
Goenka indicated that the reliance on multiple vendors—such as caterers, decorators, photographers, and logistics partners—along with the uncertainties of weather and travel disruptions during peak periods, have broadened the spectrum of risks families are contemplating.
Brokers confirm this shift has resulted in increased inquiries and larger coverage amounts.
Rushik Patel, Associate Director, Corporate Business, EDME Insurance Brokers, mentioned that wedding-related policies this season typically cover amounts ranging from ₹75 lakh to ₹7 crore, depending on the event’s magnitude.
Premiums generally fall within the 0.20-0.50% range, making the cost of coverage relatively minor compared to total wedding budgets.
What risks influence coverage decisions?
Insurers have pinpointed a common set of risks that arise during peak wedding months, from November to February. These risks include adverse weather affecting outdoor venues, last-minute cancellations, and vendor failures where substantial deposits are at stake. Liability-related risks—such as accidental injury to guests or damage to venue property—are especially pertinent as weddings often involve complex setups and technical installations.
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“The scenarios we frequently encounter relate to weather disruptions, vendor defaults, and venue-related liabilities,” Goenka explained.
He added that insurers are responding by providing bundled wedding policies that encompass cancellation or postponement coverage, third-party liability, protection for jewellery and valuables, as well as travel-related risks for destination events.
A look at available wedding insurance policies
| Provider | ICICI Lombard General Insurance | Future Generali |
| Policy name | Wedding Insurance Policy | Vivah Suraksha |
| Covered events | Wedding cancellation due to specified contingencies | Wedding cancellations, accidents, loss of valuables, burglary |
| Cancellation Coverage | Covering various expenses like venue booking, catering, decorations, travel bookings | Covers rearrangement expenses, printing costs, advances to vendors, accommodation costs due to cancellations |
| Property damage coverage | Protects against fire, allied perils, burglary and theft | Safeguards property at residence and venue, decorations, sets erected |
| Valuables coverage | Covers jewellery, ornaments, precious stones, and appliances as wedding gifts | Protection against loss or damage to jewellery, and appliances gifted by guests |
| Accident coverage | Covers disability (partial, total), death due to accidents | Protection against permanent partial/total disability, temporary total disability, death due to accidents |
| Burglary coverage | Covers loss of money from safe or strong room | Provides coverage against the loss of money from a safe or strong room |
| Exclusions | Bandh/civil unrest, terrorism, kidnappings, transportation breakdowns | Exclusions: Congenital diseases, injuries due to alcohol/drugs, war-related injuries, hormone-related treatments, non-prescribed drugs/medicines |
| Discounts/benefits | Flexible premium payments, family discounts, voluntary deductible plan | Benefits: 10% family discount, premium discounts based on voluntary deductibles, floater discounts, one-time premium payment discount, website purchase discount |
(Source: ICICI Lombard plus Future Generali)
