Should You Get a Spray Tan for Wedding Day? Pros Weigh In

Getting a spray tan for wedding day is a great option if you want a bronzy, sun-kissed glow on your skin—that is, if you do it right. Luckily, you've come to the right place. I have naturally light features and have been visiting the salon for an airbrush tan once a week for the past ten years (I know, I'm really exposing myself here). Needless to say, if there's one thing I know how to do properly, it's spray tan. That said, spray tanning isn't for everyone, and it's definitely not something you should try for the first time the week of your wedding.

To help you decide whether a pre-wedding spray tan is right for you (and how to nail the process if so), we tapped Maddie Fowler, Marketing Coordinater at SUGARED + BRONZED, and Katie Ferstler, Owner of mobile tanning salon Sunless Rae in Austin, Texas. We also snagged some expert advice from Dallas wedding photographer Chandler Probasco, who's sharing the ins and outs of how a spray tan can affect your wedding photos.

In this article:

• Should I Get a Spray Tan for My Wedding?
• When to Get a Spray Tan Before Your Wedding
• Steps for a Perfect Bridal Spray Tan

Should I Get a Spray Tan for My Wedding?

If you're trying to decide whether you should or shouldn't get a spray tan for your wedding, there's one key question to ask yourself: Which route feels the most you? "If a spray tan is something that makes you feel beautiful and you have experience doing it, then go for it," Probasco says. On the other hand, if you don't typically get spray tans, your wedding day likely isn't going to be the best time to test the waters. "If you don't love the outcome, you may end up looking back on your wedding photos with a tinge of regret," she adds.

Probasco says her best advice is to think about the decision you would make if no one else were to ever see your wedding photos but you and your partner. "Would you still want to be bronzed because you love looking sun-kissed, or would you feel best in your usual complexion and prefer not stress about how your tan is going to turn out?" she adds. "We live in a world that's constantly telling brides what they're supposed to do—don't forget to ask yourself what you want to do."

When to Get a Spray Tan Before Your Wedding

Ideally, you'll want to get your spray tan two to three days before your wedding. "This gives the tan a full day to settle and gives you time to take two full showers so that the bronzer is completely rinsed from your skin," Ferstler emphasizes. Getting your spray tan too close to the big day can result in unwanted streaks and the risk of color transferring onto your gown.

Probasco says getting your spray tan early on the day before your rehearsal dinner (or two days before your wedding day) will provide a comfortable amount of time to fix any streaks or, worst-case scenario, tone down the color a bit. "You can get rid of any stained hands, and if you go to bed thinking 'absolutely not,' you'll have most of the next day to fix it," she says. "If you follow this timeline, the tan should also be at peak color for your wedding day."

If this is your first time getting a spray tan, I highly recommend a few test runs with your spray tan tech beforehand. This will give you some room in the wedding beauty timeline to make any adjustments to the color and application level if needed. You should also make sure to schedule a test run a few days before your makeup trial in order to ensure your makeup artist isn't met with any surprises on the day of your wedding.

The key to achieving a flawless spray tan for your wedding is to do your research, choose a reputable salon and communicate your desired outcome clearly. Remember, it's your special day, and you should feel like the main character.

Steps for a Perfect Bridal Spray Tan

Want to move forward with a spray tan for wedding day? Follow these spray tan prep and aftercare steps to ensure an even, long-lasting glow that looks great in photos.

Wedding Spray Tan Prep

The spray tan will give you the color, but it's the prep work that will give you a flawless finish. If you're wondering how to prep for a spray tan before wedding day, follow these steps:

• Exfoliate your skin. If you only do one thing before your spray tan, it should be exfoliating your skin in the shower to help remove dead skin cells and ensure an even tan. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub or mitt (I use these exfoliating mitts from Amazon) to exfoliate your entire body in the shower the day before your appointment. "Focus on your elbows, knees, and ankles to create a smooth surface," Fowler emphasizes.
• Remove makeup and jewelry. Before your spray tan session, it's best to avoid wearing makeup or remove it prior to your appointment. Going into the session with a clean, bare face allows for an even tan application. Remember to remove any jewelry or accessories that may leave you with unwanted tan lines on your wedding day.
• Skip the moisturizer and perfume. While well-moisturized skin can allow for a longer-lasting spray tan, you'll want to avoid applying any moisturizers, body oils or fragrances on the day of your appointment. These products can create a barrier on the skin and affect the absorption of the spray tan solution. "Just be sure to keep your skin hydrated in the weeks before your appointment," Fowler says.
• Consider hair removal. If you plan on removing unwanted hair, make sure to shave or wax 24 hours before your spray tan appointment. Shaving, waxing or any hair removal method can open up pores or cause razor bumps. Giving your skin time to recover will ensure a more comfortable and flawless spray tan application.
• Complete other beauty treatments. "Spray tans should be the last step of your beauty routine, excluding day-of hair and makeup, of course." says Ferstler. With that in mind, you'll want to make sure your spray tan appointment comes after your mani-pedi and any hair removal, as mentioned above.

Wedding Spray Tan Aftercare

It's important to take care of your spray tan to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Here are some key tips for aftercare:

• Wear dark, loose-fitting clothing. To avoid smudging or rubbing off your fresh spray tan, opt for loose-fitting clothing to wear after your appointment. Tight or restrictive clothing can create friction, rub off the solution and leave an unwanted finish. Flowy dresses or loose pants are ideal for ensuring your tan stays intact.
• Shower strategically. For most spray tans, you'll want to wait eight to ten hours before taking your first shower. This will give your tan enough time to fully develop and set into your skin. However, some tanning salons offer rapid solutions that take less time to develop and only require two to three hours before you need to shower them off. Ultimately, you should check with your spray tan technician for specific instructions to avoid any unwanted surprises.
• Avoid moisture. While a quick rinse in the shower is usually okay around the eight-hour mark, you should avoid prolonged moisture for at least 24 hours after your appointment. Whether it's swimming, a trip to the sauna or a sweaty workout, early exposure to moisture, salt water and chlorine can cause your tan to streak or fade unevenly.
• Moisturize regularly. Moisturizing regularly is essential for maintaining your spray tan—but you'll want to wait at least 24 hours post-tan on this step, too. Opt for a moisturizer that's paraben- and fragrance-free. Some of the best lotions to use after a spray tan include St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Lotion, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion and Nécessaire The Body Lotion.

Wedding Spray Tan Mistakes to Avoid

To recap, here are some of the most important wedding spray tan don'ts you'll want to avoid.

• Forgoing a trial run: The last thing you should do is get your very first spray tan right before your wedding. Ferstler recommends shopping around before settling on your preferred salon and color. "Every spray tan artist uses different techniques and solutions, and you want to find the best for you and your skin," she adds.
• Skipping exfoliation: While exfoliating may seem like something you can skip over, it's a key step that can truly make or break your tan. "Neglecting proper skin prep, like exfoliating and moisturizing, can lead to an uneven finish," says Fowler.
• Moisturizing too soon: As a reminder, moisturizing your skin is an important part of making your spray tan last—but you should wait at least 24 hours post-spray before doing so. Otherwise, you'll risk blotching or fading the color. You can, however, go ahead and apply makeup after your spray tan. Just be gentle when applying and removing makeup to avoid rubbing off the tan. Use a soft brush or sponge instead of harsh brushes or towels.
• Getting wet: "Not following aftercare instructions, such as avoiding water and sweating immediately after the tan, can impact its final appearance and longevity," emphasizes Fowler. Even after the 24-hour mark, you should still avoid moisture as much as possible to keep your tan in tip-top shape.