4 tips for planning a wedding You found the perfect venue, booked the DJ, supervised the menu, and laboured over the seating chart, and you’re finally ready for your wedding day — or are you? With all of the details that go into planning nuptials, certain things can fall through the cracks. To help you out with the process – and let you focus on making this the greatest day of your life – keep the following in mind: 1. Protect Your Gifts You went to a lot of effort to register for gifts, sifting through near countless choices to find things you truly want and your friends and family narrowed that list down even further. And while you’re appreciative, you probably won’t spend the day watching the gift table. However, there is a certain risk involved. “In the past several years, we have seen a marked increase in the amount of insurance claims made on stolen wedding gifts,” says Shirley Parchoma with Western Financial Group. “While most people don’t realize it, these are insurable beforehand, so it’s worth contacting your provider to make sure theft doesn’t spoil your big day.” 2. Take Care of Your Home Typically, weddings are a tale of two venues – the official and the personal. Likely, at least some of the occasion will take place at your home, whether it be a meal beforehand, an after-party, or simply out-of-town guests staying over. Undoubtedly, you have prepared for this by stocking the fridge, laying out the linens, and cutting a few extra keys. But have you thought of everything? For instance, as with any event you are legally responsible for your guests and their behaviour, so you want to seek out a specialty insurance package, which will safeguard you against any unforeseen accidents or mishaps. 3. Wedding Rings are a Bigger Investment than You Think With the high cost of engagement rings and wedding bands, the thought of losing either is a justified fear. Sure, you will always take extra care of them, but a lot can happen on your honeymoon or in your home. Though you will never be able to avoid the high emotional cost of losing a ring, you can protect yourself from financial vulnerability by adding them to your contents and travel insurance so, should anything go wrong, you can replace them expediently. 4. Prepare for the Unexpected Even the simplest plans face difficulties, and a wedding presents a different scenario entirely. What if something goes awry, such as a sudden emergency, a travel interruption, or any other incident or occurrence that will cause you to cancel at the last minute? Will you lose everything you’ve already invested? “Any major undertaking comes with its own set of risks, yet there are many steps you can take to protect yourself,” Parchoma points out. “And one of those is talking to an insurance broker.” With all of the thought, planning, and emotion that goes into a wedding, you want to know that you are fully protected against unwanted surprises. By following this advice, you can concentrate on the thing that really matters: having an unforgettable day. Additional information on insurance for your wedding day is available at www.westernfinancialgroup.ca. www.newscanada.com