6 ways to help clients have a safe and secure wedding

As a wedding planner, you want to help your clients have the most gorgeous day and memorable experience of their lives. No one wants to think about what could go wrong, but it’s important to cover all the bases and provide expertise and guidance to make sure the wedding goes off without a hitch.

This means addressing safety and security concerns to get ahead of anything that could occur—from gift theft to family drama. Unfortunately, these are situations to be mindful of. Here are some tips to consider when helping your clients plan the wedding of their dreams.

Gift theft

We like to think that everyone invited to a wedding is above board and the last thing you want to think about is stolen gifts, but it does happen, especially if wedding crashers sneak in. The best way to keep gifts safe is to designate a trusted family member or friend to stand guard over the gift table and store the gifts somewhere safe and locked before the reception officially begins.

Family drama

Not every family has harmonious relationships. It’s essential to ask the couple if there are guests who may not get along. If so, a seating chart where these guests are placed away from each other is a good idea.

Alcohol-related incidents

When alcohol is served, some guests may not drink responsibly. This can lead to health hazards, impaired judgment, and accidents. You can recommend that the bride and groom limit the time on an open bar and only serve beer and wine.

Another idea is to close the bar an hour before the wedding reception ends. A bartender can also be advised to stop serving any individual who has over consumed or at least notify a designated person if this occurs.

Venue security

It’s essential to go over the security that is offered by the venue, as well as any emergency protocols to follow, should an incident occur. It may sound like common sense, but locating the fire extinguishers, fire alarm, defibrillator, and exits can save lives.

Parking attendant/valet

Ample parking and traffic flow are important at weddings. Consider a valet service to handle parking and retrieving cars safely. This will take pressure off guests and ensure cars are safe and not broken into during the wedding.

Security guards

If the couple is highly concerned about safety at their wedding due to location, possible drama, or other issues, it may be best to offer they hire a security guard or team for peace of mind. There are security firms that specialize in events and weddings that may fit the couple’s needs.

We hope these tips help you maximize your venue’s revenue. To help protect your space, your clients can purchase a Markel event insurance policy.

Markel offers event liability insurance to hosts and honorees, protecting from incidents such as property damage to the venue or injury to a guest. Up to $2 million in event liability insurance can be purchased by your client from Markel any time at least 1 day before the event. Policies start as low as $75.

By offering event insurance, it will not only protect your clients, but it can also protect you by potentially decreasing your own business liability risk for accidents due to negligence of the event host or honoree. Markel Specialty's event insurance is an easy and affordable solution for your clients – a free event insurance quote takes only a few minutes online or on the phone – that will help protect your clients (and you).

Free client materials! We can provide you with free brochures to help raise your clients’ awareness of the benefits of event liability insurance.