Photography: Summit Entertainment. For illustration purposes only.
Did you know that only one in four newly-wed couples consummate on the night of their wedding? According to a survey by Australian bridal magazine Bride To Be, it also revealed that while 90 per cent of the 1,000 couples polled expected sex to happen, at least 25 per cent are disheartened when it didn't. It's not hard to see why. Imagine having to remove all those hair pins, swollen feet, achy back...drunk! Most couples would just collapse into bed with nothing more than a peck on the lips. So, don't become a statistic. Here's how newly-weds can get in the mood for love with these tips.
Limit alcohol intake
Alcohol — it's your libido's best friend in the beginning, and your worst enemy at the end. Too much liquor is generally not good for sexual performance, as it may reduce sexual desire, hinder erections and ejaculations, and potentially cause infertility. If you anticipate an evening of drunken socialising with the guests, then carry some liver tablets or line the stomach with oily food to lessen the blow. Or simply host your reception during the day so that you have enough time to recover for an evening roll in the sack.
Dress the part
Bring on the sexy negligee! Or surprise him with a new "do" down there, too! Whether you want it all off, or just a neat strip, a Brazilian wax is sure to get your man's heart racing. Make an appointment at Strip; they also offer Brazilian wax for men too, if they are up for it.
Get celibate
Try staying celibate for a week, two weeks or even a month to restore some of that old-fashioned "wait until you're married" magic. Abstinence does make the loins grow stronger!
Play before foreplay
Don't feel pressured to thunder into the bedroom and start rattling the bed posts. Take your own time. Clinical sexologist Dr Martha Lee says that sex is optional as you have the rest of your lives ahead, but should you want to, she suggests making an occasion out of it. "Treat it as if it is your first time; it is after all your first night as husband and wife," says Lee, who owns Eros Coaching. Spice up your wedding night with candles, massage oils and music. "Playing sex board games and reading erotic stories to each other can also turn up the heat a few notches."
Safety first
You've just spent over nine months preparing for a wedding. Do you really want to spend the next nine months preparing for a baby? For women who don't like birth control pills or condoms, gynaecologist Dr Christopher Ng suggests a female condom (Femidom) laced with spermicide. "It is made of polyurethane, and not latex. So it is unlikely to provoke allergies, and should not be damaged by oil-based lubricants. The female condom is over 95 per cent effective, as long as it is correctly inserted into the vagina," says Dr Ng, who is the director of Gynae MD Women's & Rejuvenation Clinic.
Libido-enhancing food
You probably haven't eaten much on your wedding day. So your blood sugar could be low. And a shrinking blood sugar can lead to a shrinking... you know. Here are some libido-enhancing foods which get the heart pumping, and improve testosterone production: Foie gras, wild salmon, caviar, oysters, avocado, asparagus, chili, chocolate and watermelon.
Get into position
While the missionary position may be the most comfortable for her, it can be too strenuous for a tired groom. Lee recommends two lovemaking moves that are comfortable for both husband and wife. "Spooning", where the couple lies on their side, is very relaxing and highly intimate as you have more body contact. The second is "The Scissors", where you are both looking into each other's eyes and both your legs are spread and interlocked in any position that's comfortable.
The morning after
Not prepared for sex on your wedding night? Don't fret. Apparently, the best time for a couple to consummate their marriage is in the morning. "That's when the man has his morning erection after a good night's sleep. If he does not already have one, it is easier to stimulate him to erection because his body is well rested and relaxed," advises Lee.
