Do you have a bathroom plan yet?
If not, think of it this way: You’ll have a wedding guest to meet and greet at every turn, a bevy of alcoholic beverages being handed to you throughout the day and a wedding dress you’ll likely be zipped and buttoned into (or worse—a jumpsuit). Net-net, you don’t want to find yourself in a pee-dicament at your wedding. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead.
Have a schedule.
You will not want to accidentally miss any moment of your wedding night because you were in the powder room. That’s why you should have a “bathroom schedule,” as intense (and silly) as that sounds.
Familiarize yourself with the day-of timeline, and ask your wedding planner to keep eyes and ears on you to make sure you’re around before letting the DJ play “Country Roads,” for example, or any other song you know you won’t want to miss. The best times to have a bathroom break include: when you’re getting ready (and before you put on your dress); shortly before and after the ceremony; before portraits and cocktail hour; near the end of cocktail hour; during dinner and before the toasts; and when your guests are in “dance mode” at the reception.
Drink strategically.
We hate to say it—especially if an IPA is your go-to drink order—but you should consume alcohol strategically if you want to have to go the bathroom the least. (Alcohol’s a diuretic—a fancy term for suppressing the hormone that allows your kidney to return water to your bloodstream—and stimulates your bladder at the same time.) Beers and fruity cocktails won’t help your case (since they’ll cause you to consume extra liquid for every one you throw back), so something like a vodka soda or a tequila on the rocks is your best bet instead. Adding a water-based mixer (like soda water) and ice reduces the diuretic effect, and might also help your hangover the next morning since you’ll be slightly less dehydrated. Bonus points!
Have a bathroom buddy to help with your dress.
Especially if you’re wearing a big ball gown. Trust us on this one—you won’t want to be alone in a stall, fighting a losing battle against bunches of tulle. Accidents happen, and you’d much rather err on the side of caution with your maid of honor, bridesmaid or another family member by your side than have an unfortunate incident involving your precious gown.
