Preparing for exotic weddings includes buying insurance

(NC)-Destination weddings and honeymoons are a growing specialized market in the travel industry. According to a 2006 study by Condé Nast Bridal Group about 16 percent of all couples are choosing to have a destination wedding, a 400 percent increase in the last 10 years. Travel insurance may not be an exciting detail for couples planning these special events, but it can be the most important element in terms of making sure their big day goes as planned. 

- Be prepared for the unexpected. Even though couples may set their wedding date months in advance, an unexpected injury or illness can force them to alter their plans. If you cannot travel as planned, trip cancellation and interruption insurance may reimburse the non-refundable portion of travel tickets. 

- Getting married on a cruise? If a delayed flight causes you to miss your cruise departure, travel insurance may cover the costs to get you to the next port of call and still make it for the wedding. 

- Be familiar with your destination's health care system. If you are injured while away, you want to make sure you have access to the care and assistance you need.

Companies like RBC Insurance have worldwide emergency assistance teams who can help find top-tier doctors and hospitals and coordinate medical payments upfront, wherever possible, so you don't have to pay any expenses out-of-pocket. 

- Packing a wedding dress or gifts? According to SITA, the global provider of airport IT and communication services to the air transport industry, 30 million bags are mishandled annually. Baggage and personal effects insurance may provide reimbursement if your luggage, including wedding dress and wedding gifts, are lost or damaged during your flight.

Understand your coverage, as some insurance companies limit the amount of reimbursement for certain items.