Wedding Night Myths

When you shake the last of the confetti from your hair, and you have waved goodbye to the friends and family who've celebrated your wedding day with you, all you want to do is relax and get on with married life. The preparations are exhausting, the stress mounts in the last few days or weeks and the idea of being alone together is absolute bliss. How you spend your wedding night is more important than some couples might believe.

Naturally, most people's idea of a wedding night tradition is consummating the marriage! Well, of course that's common but it isn't the be-all and end-all. Dancing for hours, drinking plenty of champagne, being on your feet all day and the toll of rehearsals, last minute shopping and late nights all amount to tiredness, so it is not that strange to hear of couples who insist that they crashed in a heap on their wedding night when mischievous friends wink and ask how their night went.

Myth No. 1: Newlyweds spend the entire night engaging in under-the-covers fun
Really, if a survey were held, the results would be inaccurate anyway. Ask the grooms and they will say they absolutely had the best night of their lives. They might say that wedding night sex is the best ever. Ask the brides and they will say they had the best night of sleep ever. It's a pity that there has to be so much pressure to perform on such a momentous night! Not that anyone should have to report back to anyone else, of course!

Myth No. 2: The groom has to carry the bride over the threshold
Ok if this one were true, it would make sense as to why brides are so determined to slim down before the big day! Imagine the poor groom having to sweep his new bride off her feet and into his arms, if she's been on a contentment-related binge. It's a cute idea but most people forget to do it.

Myth No. 3: The couple have to stay at a five star hotel on their wedding night
Wouldn't it be great if everyone could afford five star lodgings for their wedding night? There'd be chocolates on the pillows, the beds would be turned down, the lighting dimmed for romance, fresh flowers and champagne awaiting them on the side table and soft music playing.

The reality is, five star hotels cost a bundle and considering the time of day the couple arrive late into the evening, it makes more sense to put that money towards a great honeymoon. Who wants to waste a couple hundred dollars on accommodation they can only enjoy for less than twelve hours?

Myth No. 4: If he can't be romantic on the wedding night, he never will be

Aww, come on. It's the first night of wedded bliss; give the guy a break. Grooms need time to practice being husbands. With all the flowers, champagne and luvvy-duvvy words at the wedding, a guy can feel like he's a victim of romance overkill. Weddings truly offer more for women than for manly men.

If they had their way, there'd be a five-minute ring exchanging ceremony, a big kiss, some beer, a barbecue and off you'd trot into the sunset. Give him the benefit of the doubt. Allow him to pass out from exhaustion if that's what heâ's inclined to do, but draw the line at turning the sports channel on before dawn even breaks on your marriage.