With all the time, energy and money you put into planning your Big Day, wouldn't it be nice to invest in a little peace of mind, too? Believe it or not, you can. Wedding insurance is becoming an increasingly popular way to help protect your checkbook--and your sanity--in the event of disasters such as bad weather, sudden illness or last-minute vendor problems. A growing number of savvy couples are incorporating these policies into their wedding budgets to set their minds at ease and protect themselves financially should something go wrong before the ceremony even starts.

Just like other insurance policies, wedding insurance protects you against any financial losses you may incur if your wedding plans go awry. Coverage basically includes two parts: cancellation or postponement, and reimbursement for deposits or replacement of lost or damaged items. This means you can be covered for anything from a sudden cancellation to a damaged dress or a no-show photographer.

In Sickness and in Bad Weather

No one wants to consider it, but forces beyond your control can disrupt even the most meticulously planned wedding. A wedding insurance policy can protect you against financial loss in the event of extreme weather or travel problems, or if the bride, groom or other key family member falls ill or is hospitalized, forcing you to postpone. If something does go wrong, you'll have enough to worry about without fretting over losing your wedding investment.

If "I Do's" Get Delayed

If the unthinkable does happen, insurance can help recover the money you've already paid your vendors so you can start rescheduling right away. Most types of coverage typically allow you to recoup up to 75 percent of your investment (for example, $15,000 on a $20,000 wedding), so you can get busy putting your new plan into action.

Coverage kicks in for a wide variety of reasons that may cause you to postpone, from bad weather, flight delays and illness to military call up to the reception venue becoming unavailable at the last minute. If you have insurance, you'll be able to recover all the money you've spent - including non-refundable deposits - on everything from the invitations, cake and caterer to the flowers, attire, musicians and photographer. It makes the process of starting all over again much easier to handle - in fact, some packages even include professional counseling to help couples deal with the stress of an unexpected delay or cancellation. Damage Control Wedding insurance can also be a real lifesaver if you find yourself with lost or damaged goods before, during or even after the ceremony.

If your dress is damaged or the groom's tux never arrives, insurance can pay for repairs or a replacement. It will also help recover the deposit for a no-show vendor, and even reimburse you for the higher cost of a last-minute replacement. If the photographer's film disappears or is damaged, the policy will cover the costs of reconvening the wedding party to re-shoot the photos. Insurance will even cover the value of your wedding gifts should the gift table collapse in the middle of the reception. In fact, the only thing many of these policies don't cover is cold feet or a change of heart.

Is It Right For You?

While wedding insurance is a wise investment for anyone planning a
costly event, it's especially valuable if you're planning a wedding at home or some other venue that requires the help of multiple outside vendors. Simply put, the more people you depend on to pull off your wedding, the more chances there are that something might go wrong.

Policies are available through select insurance providers including
Travelers and Fireman's Fund, as well as a company called Wed Safe. A basic package typically costs between $200 and $600 and will cover from about $8,000 to $50,000 in wedding-related costs. While it may sound like yet another cost on a never-ending list of wedding expenses, if you're already spending thousands of dollars on the big event, the peace of mind you obtain may just be one of the best investments you make.