He is wonderful and I am looking forward to our marriage. However, I am very nervous about sex with him, because it's been five years since I've had intercourse with a man, and the last time I tried I was very dry and it was painful. What can I do to make sure that doesn't happen on my honeymoon?

Since I don’t know why you were dry, I most definitely would tell you to make sure bring along an artificial lubricant so that if you are dry, then at least you can do something about it.

If the dryness was caused because you’ve undergone an early menopause, which is possible though unlikely, then you might have to always use a lubricant, or else there are pharmaceutical products that you can take, like Vagifem, which place a low dose of estrogen into your vagina so that it produces natural lubrication.

If the dryness occurred because you were not aroused, perhaps the relationship was souring which is why it was the last time you had sex with this man, which means you might not have any problem with lubrication as you love this man sufficiently to marry him. Of course if you are very nervous on your first honeymoon night, then that might keep you from becoming fully aroused, and therefore well lubricated. “First times” are not always the best sexual experience for couples, but since this won’t be a one-night stand but the start of a long sexual relationship, if this does happen, don’t worry about it. Just remember that with a little bit of patience, you’ll be able to work out any problems you encounter. And whether the use of a lubricant is a short-term or long-term solution, it’s most definitely not the end of the world.