Fireworks are a wonderful way to celebrate a wedding, however any damage caused by fireworks may not be covered by your wedding insurance. Whilst your wedding insurance will usually protect your wedding gifts, flowers and formal attire against the risk of fire or damage – this cover may not exist if the fire is a result of fireworks.
Any claims arising from the ownership or use of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices will not usually be covered by your wedding insurance. Although fireworks are beautiful and impressive, they are also known to be dangerous and can cause accidents quite easily. For this reason some insurance providers may choose not to take the risk with insuring against the use of fireworks.
The first recorded fireworks display in England was at the wedding of King Henry VII in 1486, and this tradition of celebrating a marriage with fireworks has continued ever since. The displays can become increasingly more complex and elaborate, as a family choose to mark a couple’s important union with a spectacular, sky-high display for all to see. There can be a high price tag with this kind of display, however, as a five minute display costs around £500, and a ten minute display can cost as much as £1,000.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, there were 990 serious firework injuries in 2005, with 475 of those happening at family parties or private events. Your family’s safety should therefore be your priority. In order to set up fireworks safely, the RoSPA recommends that only one person should be in charge of fireworks. They suggest that you read the instructions in daylight and that you do not drink any alcohol until all the fireworks have been discharged. Some basic safety preparations you will need include: a torch; a bucket or two of water; eye protection and gloves; a bucket of soft earth to hold the fireworks for the display; and sturdy supports and launchers if you’re setting off Catherine wheels or rockets.
If you feel that this is too much responsibility for your wedding day, then you may want to consider asking a professional to run the fireworks display for you. This means that you and your guests will be able to enjoy the display, and a qualified professional will manage the risks associated with a fireworks display.
Whether you do it yourself or use a professional, a fireworks display is to be taken seriously at a wedding – especially as you may not be covered for any damage it could cause.