Wedding Day Work: Can Your Boss Do That?

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and the last thing you want is to be working up until your big day. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many couples, especially those with irregular work schedules. While some countries and states have laws guaranteeing time off for certain occasions, it's not always the case for weddings. This leaves many couples in a difficult position, having to juggle work commitments while also trying to ensure their wedding goes off without a hitch. So, what can you do if you find yourself in this situation? Is it even possible to balance work and wedding planning? Let's explore this topic further and provide some insights and advice for couples facing this challenge.

Is it legal for your employer to make you work on your wedding day?

It is not clear whether or not it is strictly illegal for an employer to make an employee work on their wedding day. However, there are several examples of employees being granted time off for their wedding, even when their workplace is short-staffed. In one case, an employee was granted time off for their wedding, but their supervisor called to tell them that the days they had booked off were unlikely to be covered due to staffing issues. In another case, an employee was unsure if they would be granted time off for their wedding until one week before the date.

In some industries, such as retail or food service, irregular schedules are common, and employees may not find out their schedule until the week before. This can make it difficult for employees to plan personal events, such as weddings.

It is worth noting that, in some cases, employees may be able to take time off for their wedding by calling in sick, although this may result in disciplinary action from their employer. Additionally, in some workplaces, there may be a requirement to notify HR of a change in marital status, particularly if it affects tax liability or involves a change in emergency contact information.

How much time off work should you take for your wedding?

The amount of time off work needed for a wedding can vary depending on several factors. Firstly, consider your role in the wedding preparations. If you plan to handle most of the decor, food, and flowers yourself, a week off before the wedding may be necessary. On the other hand, if you're leaving these tasks to professionals, a couple of days for smaller projects should suffice.

Another factor to consider is the location of your wedding. If it's more than an hour or two away, you may want to arrive the night before to avoid travel fatigue and fully enjoy the day. This is especially relevant for destination weddings, where jet lag could be a factor, so allow for a buffer on either side of the wedding day.

It's also important to plan for any beauty appointments, such as haircuts, facials, or manicures, as these often need to be scheduled after work hours. If you have guests travelling from far, you may want to set aside time to spend with them before and after the wedding.

If you have children, particularly those not yet in school, remember that parenting can be time-consuming. Consider booking a babysitter or some daycare time to ensure lower stress levels during your wedding preparations.

For those not going on a honeymoon directly after the wedding, taking at least a few days off before the big day is recommended. This allows time for last-minute tasks, purchases, and beauty or grooming preparations. If your wedding is on a Saturday, consider taking Thursday and Friday off. If you have spare leave, taking the entire week off can provide a more relaxed lead-up to the wedding.

For those embarking on a honeymoon, use the days leading up to the wedding for packing and planning. Take a couple of days off before the wedding for any final tasks and to ensure you have all your travel essentials.

In summary, the time off work needed for a wedding depends on various factors, including the level of personal involvement in preparations, the wedding location, beauty appointments, guest considerations, childcare needs, and honeymoon plans. Planning and allowing for sufficient time off will help ensure a relaxed and enjoyable experience.

What are the pros and cons of hiring a wedding coordinator?

It is your wedding day, and you want everything to be perfect. But managing all the details and logistics can be overwhelming. This is where a wedding coordinator comes in. A wedding coordinator can be a day-of coordinator, a month-of coordinator, or a full-service wedding planner. They can help with everything from creating a timeline to negotiating with vendors and managing your budget.

Pros of Hiring a Wedding Coordinator:

• Save Time and Energy: A wedding coordinator can handle all the details, big and small, so you can focus on enjoying your engagement and wedding day.
• Expertise and Experience: Wedding coordinators are experts at what they do and can anticipate and troubleshoot any problems that may arise. They have extensive knowledge of the wedding industry and can provide valuable advice and recommendations.
• Budget Management: Wedding coordinators can help you get the most out of your budget by leveraging their network of trusted vendors and suppliers. They may even be able to secure discounts.
• Stress Relief: Planning a wedding can be stressful, but a wedding coordinator can serve as a buffer between you and other wedding professionals, ensuring everything runs smoothly and handling any issues that come up.
• Enjoy Your Wedding: With a wedding coordinator, you can relax and truly enjoy your wedding day, knowing that someone else is managing the logistics and timeline.

Cons of Hiring a Wedding Coordinator:

• Cost: Hiring a wedding coordinator can be an additional expense, and you may need to cut back on other areas of your wedding budget. Costs can vary depending on the coordinator's responsibilities and the length of their involvement.
• Loss of Control: Some couples may feel that hiring a wedding coordinator means giving up control over their wedding vision. While coordinators will work with you to execute your vision, they may also offer suggestions that you didn't anticipate or want.
• Personality Clashes: Working closely with a wedding coordinator means you need to find someone whose personality and working style align with yours. If your personalities clash, it can lead to uncomfortable conversations and added stress.
• Privacy Concerns: Some couples may be hesitant to share sensitive information or details about their relationship with a stranger. They may prefer to keep their wedding plans and future plans private.

What tasks can you expect a wedding coordinator to handle?

A wedding coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the event runs according to plan, allowing the couple to relax and enjoy their special day. They handle a variety of duties, including both creative and administrative tasks, in the weeks leading up to the wedding and on the day itself.

Before the Wedding

• Meeting with the couple a few weeks before the wedding to go over details and create a timeline and floor plans.
• Communicating with vendors to confirm logistics, review contracts, and address any overlooked details.
• Conducting a final check of the ceremony and reception venues to ensure they meet the couple's requirements.
• Managing the wedding rehearsal and ensuring the entire wedding party is present and aware of the program details.

On the Wedding Day

• Arriving early at the venue to ensure all vendors are set up on time and to answer any questions.
• Informing the couple, photographer, and entertainment of the schedule for events such as the grand entrance, cake cutting, and first dance.
• Troubleshooting any issues that arise, such as last-minute challenges or missing items.
• Ensuring everyone is in place for the ceremony and that guests are treated properly.
• Cueing the music and maintaining the processional flow.
• Helping to direct guests to the reception and ensuring the wedding party is ready for the photo shoot.
• Working with event staff to ensure tables are bussed and trash is cleared efficiently.
• Working with the couple to select a responsible individual to handle and transport wedding gifts.
• Assisting the wedding party in checking that nothing is left behind at the venue.

What tasks can't you expect a wedding coordinator to handle?

A wedding coordinator is a great asset to any couple, ensuring that their special day goes off without a hitch. However, there are some tasks that a wedding coordinator cannot be expected to handle.

Firstly, a wedding coordinator is not a wedding planner. While a coordinator can help finalise plans and ensure the smooth execution of the wedding, they are not responsible for the initial planning process. This means that tasks such as managing the budget, overseeing the design of the venue, and booking vendors are not typically handled by a wedding coordinator.

Additionally, a wedding coordinator usually starts working with the couple a month or two before the wedding and is primarily focused on the logistics of the day itself. They are not expected to handle tasks that fall outside of this timeframe, such as negotiating contracts with vendors or attending appointments alongside the couple.

It is also important to note that a wedding coordinator is not responsible for creating the overall vision or aesthetic of the wedding. While they may create floor plans and manage the setup of the venue, they are not involved in the creative specifics, such as choosing a colour scheme or décor.

Furthermore, a wedding coordinator is not a personal assistant to the couple. While they can help with tasks such as setting up décor and running errands, the coordinator's primary focus is on overseeing the vendors and managing the timeline on the wedding day.

Lastly, a wedding coordinator cannot be expected to handle any tasks that fall outside of the scope of the wedding event. This includes pre-wedding events or post-wedding festivities, such as a rehearsal dinner or a post-wedding brunch.

In summary, while a wedding coordinator is an invaluable asset for managing the logistics and execution of a wedding, they are not responsible for tasks related to pre-wedding planning, creative design, personal assistance, or external events.

Frequently asked questions