Wedding insurance

Couples about to get married are being advised to buy insurance against disasters on their big day.

Research shows that at present only 15 per cent of couples bother to get insurance.

But considering the average cost of a wedding is now £16,500, it seems wise that many more should get covered.

"As Charles and Camilla have found out, even with the best laid plans, unforeseen circumstances can disrupt your wedding plans," an insurance sector representative told the Evening Standard.

The royal couple were forced to change the day of their marriage from the Friday to the Saturday due to the funeral of the Pope falling on their original date.

However, although Charles and Camilla managed to rearrange, a last minute disruption of this nature for most couples would cause chaos - and even the loss of thousands of pounds.

The representative added: "Given the amounts being spent, it is worrying that the majority of couples do not bother to insure their wedding, despite the cost of insurance being very small compared with the sums being covered."