A woman in pink lingerie with red strawberries in her menstrual region.

I’ve yet to meet anyone who planned their wedding day around their menstrual cycle. It’s not the first place your heads goes to when you get engaged, right? And depending on your overall relationship with your periods, it can feel annoying when you realise that ‘Bloody Mary’ might be making an appearance.

Getting your period on your wedding day is actually pretty common, and it doesn’t have to derail your celebration. All it takes is a little bit of planning, prep, products, a positive mindset, and you can enjoy your day, confidently.

Firstly, Periods Are Power

It’s kind of sad that a lot of women grow up dreading, hating, and feeling ashamed about having a period… like its something that needs to be hidden. I count myself in that, and I want to be more mindful of how I talk about menstruation in front of my daughter and my nieces.

Instead of seeing it as a big inconvenience, try reframing it as your body showing up in all of it’s power. On a day that’s already full of meaning, this can be a powerful anchor. I mean, why wouldn’t ‘Mother Nature’ want to come to the party?!

A flat lay of period products on a red background.

The Best Period Products for Your Wedding Day

Being prepared and having the right kit is essential. Sometimes, this might mean opting for a period product that isn’t usually your ‘go to’ but it makes the most sense on the day.

Menstrual Cups

Favoured by many, menstrual cups/moon cups are great for sustainability, as well as the amount they can hold but they can be tricky if you are not used to using them. Also, be prepared to get a bit ‘too involved’ if you feel like you need to check, adjust, empty etc… and that can end up being quite messy.

Tampons

A fairly reliable option, especially if you keep a few extras and commit to changing every time you visit the loo. They are also super-discreet, so even if they are not your preference, they might be a good option depending on your choice of wedding outfit.

A tampon on a red background with a red rose.

Sanitary Towels

Sanitary towels often get overlooked in conversations like this, but for some they’re actually the most reassuring option — especially when paired with another product for extra protection i.e a tampon or menstrual cup.

Opt for the slimmest, most absorbent option you can find, and avoid anything bulky that might show under fitted dresses.

Period-Pants

Period pants are a great invention but I’d avoid relying on them all day, and not because of leakages, more because of the ‘unpleasant’ smell when they need to be changed. Not what you want on your wedding day! That said, they could be a great option to change into, later in the evening, if you felt like you needed to.

Some sanitary towels on a red background.

Create a Mini Wedding-Day Period Survival Kit

Make yourself a small, discreet survival kit to leave with your with someone you trust. All you need is:

A cute little zip up bag
Your chosen period products (plus backups)
Panty liners or a spare pair of period pants
Pain relief you already trust for cramps or headaches
Gentle wipes or tissues
A spare pair of underwear, just in case

Even if you never touch it, knowing it’s there can help you mentally let go and enjoy your day.

How To Prevent Leaks on Your Wedding Day

Chances are, by the time you’ve realised it’s likely you’ll be ‘on’ on your wedding day, you’ve probably already picked your outfit, and if you’ve gone down the traditional colour route of white, you’re probably worried about any potential leaks… just as you would be in everyday life. But the fact that you are even considering it, means leaks are very unlikely. You’re not going to let that happen.

Make sure someone knows… ask a friend or family member to ‘spot you’… no pun intended… give them extra products to keep hold of for you, if you don’t want to carry them around all day. Ask them to double-check the back of your outfit before you leave the loo, so they can help reassure you.

Getting your period on your wedding day doesn’t have to feel like the end of the world. With some forward planning, preparation, supportive period products, and a positive mindset, you can still have the wedding day you hoped for.

Eat Well & Stay Hydrated

It might sound obvious, but eating regularly and staying hydrated can make a huge difference to how you feel on your period—especially on a long, emotional, high-energy day like your wedding, and even more so if you will be drinking alcohol.

When your nerves are high, it’s easy to forget to eat or drink, which can make cramps, fatigue, dizziness, or headaches feel worse.

Make sure you eat even if you don’t feel like it
Drink plenty of water, especially if there is alcohol or caffeinated drinks involved. Dehydration can intensify period pain and bloating.

If you think you might be on your period for your wedding day, and you still feel unconvinced after reading this, there is one more option:

Speak to Your Doctor About Delaying Your Period

If you really want to avoid getting your period on your wedding day, it’s worth knowing that there are simple medical options available.

A doctor may be able to prescribe tablets that can temporarily delay your period if taken in the days leading up to when it’s due. It’s important to speak to your GP or healthcare provider well in advance.

Got Your Period on Your Wedding Day? Here’s How To Deal With It