Your Wedding, Your Day Off: Can It Be Revoked?

It is not uncommon for employees to request time off for their wedding. However, it is important to give as much notice as possible and to be aware of the company's policies on time off. While some companies may be more flexible, others may have stricter rules regarding time off for personal reasons. It is also important to note that an employer usually has the right to cancel leave for business needs, regardless of when it was approved. In such cases, it is advisable to discuss your concerns with your manager and HR department as soon as possible.

Can a planned wedding day off be revoked?

The short answer

Yes, a planned wedding day off can be revoked. However, this will depend on the company's policies, the jurisdiction, and the terms of the employment contract.

The long answer

Company policies

Company policies vary, and some companies have more traditional paid time off (PTO) policies, while others have unlimited PTO policies. In the case of the latter, while companies may say they offer unlimited PTO, there are usually limits, and it's unlikely they'll let an employee take off three months.

Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction in which the company operates will also determine whether a planned wedding day off can be revoked. For example, in the United States, there is no law that says an employer cannot revoke previously approved vacation time, even if the employee has already spent money on airfare or resort deposits.

Employment contract

The terms of the employment contract will also determine whether a planned wedding day off can be revoked. In some cases, the company may reserve the right to cancel paid time off at any time and for any reason.

How to request time off for a wedding

When requesting time off for a wedding, it's essential to give as much notice as possible. It's also important to consider the company's PTO policy and discuss the time that will be taken off with the employer.

It's a good idea to put the request in writing and get approval in writing as well. This will help to avoid any misunderstandings or disputes later on.

What to do if a planned wedding day off is revoked

If a planned wedding day off is revoked, it's important to remain calm and professional. Here are some steps that can be taken:

• Review the company's policies and the employment contract to understand the rights and options available.
• Speak to the employer and try to find a solution that works for both parties. For example, it may be possible to negotiate additional unpaid leave.
• If the issue cannot be resolved with the employer, consider reaching out to HR for assistance.
• As a last resort, it may be necessary to look for another job. However, it's important to carefully consider the implications of quitting a job, especially if there is no other source of income.

How much time can I request off for my wedding?

When it comes to how much time you can request off for your wedding, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The amount of time you can take off will depend on a few factors, such as your organisation's policies and your relationship with your employer and manager.

It is recommended that you request time off as early as possible and be as transparent as you can about your plans and the exact dates you'll need off work. The earlier you know your plans, the better your chances of securing them. It is also a good idea to have a sit-down conversation with your boss about your time off plans.

If your company has a traditional PTO policy, you will likely be able to request as much time off as you've accrued. If your company has an unlimited PTO policy, you may need to plan your time off based on what is considered the norm for your company.

It is also worth noting that you may need to combine your wedding and honeymoon time off. Taking multiple leaves of absence can impact your team and other projects.

When should I request time off for my wedding?

It is important to give your employer as much notice as possible when requesting time off for your wedding. If you have a year to plan your wedding, submit your request for time off as soon as you know your dates. Even if your HR team isn't accepting PTO requests for your wedding date yet, it's still a good idea to clear it with your manager as soon as possible.

Some companies don't start scheduling time-off requests too far in advance, but starting the conversation around when you'll be out is an important first step so that your team gets used to the idea and it doesn't creep up on anyone. It's also a good idea to schedule a specific meeting with your boss about your time-off plans surrounding your big day.

If you can, try to request more time than you think you'll need. It's always better to be safe than sorry. While you think you may only need the day before your wedding off, you may need a few more—and it's better to come back and say you can work days you originally said you couldn't than to do the opposite.

If you work as part of a team, or others will need to cover your work, let your coworkers know the dates as early as possible, once you get approval from your boss, of course.

What if my wedding is on a Sunday?

If your wedding is on a Sunday, you will still be entitled to time off work, but it will be unpaid leave. You should give your employer plenty of notice when submitting your request for time off so that the business can coordinate your leave with your colleagues and ensure operational business requirements are met.

What if my wedding is out of state?

If your wedding is out of state, you will need to obtain a marriage license from the state in which you will be married. Marriage licenses are generally only valid in the state where they were issued, and marriage laws differ from one state to the next, so it is best to do some research before sending out your wedding invitations and thoroughly plan when you get married out of state.

All states require couples to acquire a marriage license to become legally married. However, the exact requirements of obtaining a marriage license will depend on the state laws – which essentially decide who should be legally allowed to get married and under what circumstances. Even though state laws are more uniform nowadays, a few states still follow a different jurisdiction when it comes to same-sex weddings, interracial marriage, marriages involving second cousins, and minors.

Some states require residency, which means at least one spouse must be a resident of the state where the marriage will be recorded. This is one of the main reasons why couples might have a courthouse wedding prior to their formal, out-of-state wedding. In certain states, while there is no residency requirement, nonresidents are supposed to wait a particular period (generally a few days) before they can apply for official marriage.

Then some states require witnesses, meaning one or two witnesses must be present during the wedding ceremony to be legally valid. A few states also conduct mandatory blood tests pre-marriage to check for rubella, venereal diseases, and other genetic disorders.

The exact cost of getting married or eloping away from your hometown will differ depending on your state choice. Contact the County Clerk and see what the required documents are, as well as the cost of getting the marriage license.

For instance, couples in Sacramento County, California, may select from one of the four marriage licensing options: confidential marriage license ($95), confidential marriage license issued after normal hours ($100), public marriage license ($84), and public marriage license issued after normal hours ($90).

Other counties, like Georgia and Fulton County, completely waive the licensing fee if couples complete a premarital counseling program. These programs are expected to be completed within a year of a marriage certificate application and require couples to attend the counseling together.

While there is no ‘cheapest’ state to get married, counties that waive their licensing fees partly or fully can help you save money.

After you apply for a marriage license, you may have to wait for a specific period before the county issues the certificate, and you can get married officially. In most states, couples can get married immediately after obtaining the marriage license, whereas, in other states, a waiting period needs to be fulfilled.

For example, in New York, couples have to wait 24 hours from when their marriage license is issued until the wedding vows and the signature of the marriage license can be recorded. However, a judge may waive this waiting period completely. Wisconsin, for example, has a waiting period of 7 days before couples can get married.

Marriage licenses have different expiration dates when getting married out of state and every county within each state has its own set of rules. Starting from the time you have been issued a marriage license, the period of time to finalize the ceremony will only be valid within that window. In the majority of Wisconsin, this time period is 30 days. This means that couples have to get married within 30 days from the issuance date of their marriage license.

On the other hand, the state of Nevada offers a one-year window during which marriage licenses stay valid. Other jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia and South Carolina, have unlimited validity. This means that after a marriage license is approved and issued, it has no expiration date and can stay valid “until.”

A marriage license is a legal document that permits a couple to get married, whereas a marriage certificate acts as proof of marriage. So, a marriage license is acquired before the wedding ceremony, while a marriage certificate is obtained after the ceremony.

The process to get married out of state will differ based on the county or state where a couple is going to have their wedding ceremony. A couple will apply at the county clerk’s office and provide documents such as proof of identification, fill out an application form, and make the required payment.

Some counties, such as those in and outside New York, automatically send the couple a marriage certificate once the wedding officiant submits the completed marriage license form to the clerk in the issuing county. No additional fee is charged for this certificate since the cost is already covered in the marriage license fees.

In other counties, such as Fulton County, couples must pay an extra $10 to request a marriage certificate.

A lot of states allow newlyweds to apply for a marriage license online. This is particularly helpful if you are eloping to a new state or planning a destination wedding and won’t be able to stay in the state long enough to submit all the paperwork. For instance, Hawaii accepts online applications from non-residents that get married out of state.

The wedding venue is a decision solely made by the couple when they have a destination wedding. The state implements no wedding ceremony venue requirements as long as a certified officiant is present at the ceremony. However, each venue will have guidelines regarding what type of ceremony is allowed. Some couples choose to get married at a courthouse, while others prefer a private residence. It’s even more often that couples will also choose to get married at a commercial wedding venue, or a religious institution like a church or synagogue.

If you want to get married out of state, you must ensure that your ceremony has an ordained officiant who can legally perform weddings there. You can either search online for a list of certified officiants or directly call the town clerk for more information. If you fail to get an ordained officiant, your marriage may not be legal.

Different states have different requirements for getting an ordained officiant. For example, in New York, you can choose from a list of eligible ministers, such as former and current governors, specific members of the clergy, government-appointed “marriage officers,” and certain judges and justices.

In the District of Columbia, for instance, ordained officiants are not only required to be court-authorized but also registered with the Marriage Bureau.

Marriage by proxy or proxy wedding is a marriage where one of the spouses is not physically present for the ceremony. A stand-in, the third party takes the place of the missing member where the ceremony is held. A double-proxy marriage is where both spouses are absent. Deployed military members and prisoners are examples of people who may not be able to attend their wedding ceremony physically and thus have to indulge in a proxy marriage. Only a few states currently allow marriage by proxy. These include California, Texas, Montana, and Colorado. Double-proxy marriages are only legal in Montana.

A proxy marriage isn’t a common form of getting married since commercial travel with planes and vehicles are a standard of living; a proxy marriage in the U.S. is usually only limited to the active military in the above-mentioned states. You will also have to add proof of personal meetings before the marriage to prove that the union is based on a bona fide relationship and not to obtain a green card or citizenship. Providing as many details as possible about the union will help establish credibility, reducing fraud risk.

Frequently asked questions