5 Tips for Managing Your Period On Your WeddingNight

Are you one of those women who can predict her period down to the minute? Good. For. You. But we're not all made that way, so we put together five tips for how to manage your period on your wedding day (or night). From skipping it to finding the perfect menstrual cup or period product, we've got you covered—literally.

You’ve spent the past 12 months of your life planning your wedding down to the most minute detail.

The venue is pure perfection. We’re talking exposed brick, vaulted ceilings, and beautiful hardwood floors.

Your wedding party will bedressed to the ninesin their floralgowns and perfectly-tailored suits.

The menu you chose is impeccable, including the cake—chocolate ganache smothered between layers of rich, dense chocolate cake. Your partner will looklike he could step out of the pages of a magazine. It’s going to be the happiest day of your life.

Just a fewdays before the big celebration, you getthatfeeling.A little bit of bloat, a cramp here or there, that weird peanut butter pretzel craving. It’s your period…one week early…right before your wedding. Cue panic, right?

Not so fast. An early period, or aperiod during a huge life event, would normally cause major stress, but we have tips on how you can manage your period on your weddingnight (and still have five-star-wedding-night sexy time).

1. Keep track of your period

Surprises, like the one described above, happen. But if you get in the habit of tracking your period, you can avoid any major ones. There’s nothing worse than having your period sneak up on you during a special occasion. Start tracking your period now usingan app like Clueto get smart on when it’s coming.

2. Try a menstrual disc

Ladies, we’re not talking your mama’s menstrual cups from the ’70s. There’s an entirely new period product called amenstrual discwhich can be worn for up to 12 hours. That means you won’t have to worry about changing your tampon during your reception. We’ve heard brides swear by them. They’re so comfortable they forget they’re even on their period. Bonus: because of where they sit in the body you can also wear them for mess-free period sex on your honeymoon—and your partner won’t feel a thing.

3. Consider skipping it

It’s possible for some women to skip their period with the help of their doctor. It’s called period rescheduling.Go Ask Alicesays that to skip a period safely, you have a few options.

When should I take birth control for my wedding?

Depending on which type of birth control you take, you'll want tobegin taking birth control 3-4 weeks before your wedding night.

• When taking monophasic birth control pills:
• 28-day oral contraceptive (OC) pack users: When you reach the end of the active hormonal pills in a pack (the first 21 or 24 pills), begin the next set of active pills, skipping theinactive (placebo pills) from the previous package.
• 21-day OC pack users:Instead of going through the pill-free week, start the next pack of active pillsthe day after finishing an active pack.
• When takingmultiphasic birth control pills:
• When you reach the end of the three weeks of active hormonal pills, take the next month’s third week of pills immediately.
• You may also want to be aware that skipping a period using multiphasic birth control pills may be more complicated and it may also lead to break-through-bleeding.
• When using theNuvaRing:
• Leave the NuvaRing in for four weeks before removing it, and then immediately replace with a new one.

If you plan to go this route, be sure to talk to your medical professional to find the right option for you.

4. Pack the necessities

You probably have your period week go-tos (Tylenol, heating pad, Netflix, etc.) and aBridal Emergency Kit(bandaids, hairspray, bobbie pins, etc.) for any wedding-day mishaps. But if you’re anticipating your period on or around your wedding or will be menstruating day-of, also consider packing water-based wipes anda period pantyfor backup.You may have spent months planning your wedding, but the truth is you can never be too prepared.

5. Let your MOH know

There’s a reason you appointed a maid or matron of honor—she’s there to help keep you calm, cool, and collected. If you get your period, don’t stress. But don’t keep it a secret either. Most brides need help navigating the restroom in their dress and your maid of honor will need to know how to help you to avoid potential stains.