Protecting your wedding investment

Story: New Bohemia wedding venue falls through, brides seek refunds

The average Iowa wedding costs $22,000, according to wedding website The Knot, which makes it one of the most expensive days in couples' lives.

But what do brides and grooms do to protect that investment if things go wrong?

Christie Asselin, who writes the Wedding Lawyer blog, recommends asking for vendor references and checking them. Read online reviews and demand a contract.

Wedding insurance is used more in Europe, but growing in the United States, said Steve Lauro, vice president for Aon Affinity and WedSafe, a national company that offers wedding and special event insurance.

'We feel education and awareness of wedding protection at least provides brides and grooms an opportunity to make an educated choice on protecting their wedding day investments,” Lauro said in an email to The Gazette.

Of couples who filed claims with WedSafe in 2016, nearly one-third did so because of event cancellation or postponement, the company reports. Another 28 percent filed claims for injuries or accidents, 24 percent had issues with wedding vendors and 15 percent had damage to their venues.

The Knot's Wedding Insurance 101 says a basic insurance policy costs between $155 and $550 and typically covers loss of photos, video, clothing, gifts, rings and deposits. General liability coverage, which addresses wedding accidents, costs around $185, the Knot reports.

If the loss is $5,000 or less, couples may consider filing a small claims case. The Iowa judicial branch website has instructions and online forms for filing a small claims case without an attorney.

Story: New Bohemia wedding venue falls through, brides seek refunds

l Comments: (319) 339-3157; erin.jordan@thegazette.com