How to Request Time Off for Your Honeymoon

Wondering how to how request time off for your honeymoon? With all the wedding plans swirling around your head, this is one key detail you can't afford to forget. It's one of the first steps to figuring out the ideal time to take your once-in-a-lifetime vacation. It's best to get this out of the way as soon as possible.

A trip of this magnitude requires at least a few days off, so here's how our experts suggest talking to your boss about taking some personal time.

Start Budgeting Your Vacation Days Now

When you start planning your wedding, look at your calendar and budget your vacation days as best as possible. If you can avoid taking any other days off before you say "I do," you'll have a lot more to work with (and the chance to take a longer honeymoon!).

Talk to Your Boss Before You Book Anything

If you're getting away during a busy time of year, talk to your boss about the honeymoon dates you're considering before you book your flight. Try to get the go-ahead to add a vacation to your calendar before you've made any pricey purchases. Your boss should also be able to let you know if there are major projects or events you need to be aware of as you're considering dates. Once you've gotten approval, put in a formal vacation request and book those tickets!

Consider Unpaid Time Off

If your vacation days aren't going to cover your time off and you'd like to take unpaid vacation days, don't be afraid to ask. Ask about how much would be docked from your salary for taking extra unpaid vacation days, and consider whether it's worth it to get paid a little bit less, or if you'd rather take a shorter honeymoon now and save up vacation days for a bigger trip later.

Give as Much Advanced Notice as Possible

While most managers will be happy to give you your requested days for such a special occasion, do your best to give them as much advance notice as you can, providing an opportunity to rearrange staffing or schedules if they need to. After all, you'll be coming back to work once the trip is over, so it's always good to leave on a high note!

If You Are Your Own Boss, Have a Game Plan in Place

If you're a freelancer or consultant, you can give yourself as much time off as you want! That being said, make a solid game plan for how you're going to get your work done ahead of time. That might mean taking on more leading up to the wedding, or setting aside money to cover you during your days off. Communicate with your clients that you'll be taking time off. If they need someone to fill your place during a prolonged absence, have a trusted colleague you can suggest to step in during your honeymoon.