Luxury and heritage hotels report that wedding demand this December is surpassing last year’s figures, buoyed by international guests and niche domestic markets.
“December is shaping up very favorably for us, with strong interest from the US and European markets,” said Nitin Sud, Cluster General Manager, Ajit Bhawan. “The wedding business has seen a rise compared to last year, with clients placing greater emphasis on service quality and the overall experience rather than cost.”
This trend is especially evident at boutique and destination properties.
“We are observing a surge in intimate yet upscale wedding celebrations,” stated Kaushik Ghosh, Hotel Manager, The Claridges Nabha Residence.
He noted that couples are opting for non-metro locations like hill stations and heritage properties, seeking privacy, exclusivity, and curated experiences instead of large guest lists. He added that bookings for personalized, multi-day celebrations have increased compared to earlier in the year, with many families reserving dates 6-9 months in advance.
Insurance enters the planning phase
As wedding formats shift and spending focuses on fewer, higher-value events, insurers report that families are integrating risk management into their plans much earlier.
“Couples and families today are much more conscious of the financial risks associated with weddings, from advance venue payments to travel blocks for guests,” explained Pankaj Kumar Goenka, Chief Business Officer, InsuranceDekho. “This awareness is prompting them to consider insurance as a means to safeguard these commitments.”
According to Goenka, the popularity of destination weddings and reliance on multiple vendors — including caterers, decorators, photographers, and logistics partners — have broadened the spectrum of risks families are evaluating. Weather uncertainties and travel disruptions during peak months have also affected decision-making.
Brokers note that this has resulted in increased inquiry volumes 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 scale of the event.
Premiums generally range from 0.20% to 0.50%, making the cost of coverage relatively modest compared to overall wedding budgets.
What risks shape coverage choices?
Insurers consistently identify several risks during peak wedding months from November to February. These include adverse weather affecting outdoor venues, last-minute rescheduling, and non-performance by vendors where significant advances are non-refundable. Liability risks — such as accidental injuries to guests or damage to venue property — are pertinent given the complex setups and technical installations involved in weddings.
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“The most common scenarios we encounter relate to weather disruptions, vendor defaults, and venue-related liabilities,” Goenka added.
Insurers are responding by offering bundled wedding policies that encompass 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
| 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 | Covers 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)
