Tanning??

futuremrss0130

Hello winter brides! I am sure some of your are also grappling with the decision on whether to add some color to your skin like me! I am nervous about doing a spray tan though and having it rub off on my dress, and I am also looking for the most "natural" tan. Does anyone have any suggestions, experiences, etc on this? Also, anyone know of a good place in Northern NJ to get this done?

Thanks!

katyamarie

How close is your wedding and have you ever done this before are probably the first questions I would ask.  I'm getting married in April and I prefer to use tanning beds (I know they're terrible... you can save the lectures) - however, it's a gradual tan that you can kind of control a little more.  I go once a week just for a color base and don't plan on being too tan on my wedding day.  Also, you may want to check with what your makeup artist recommends as well- when I had my trial last month she asked if I was planning on tanning and recommended I make sure I don't overdo it because a heavy tan + makeup can sometimes be too much against a white (or ivory) dress.

At the end of the day, you need to love how you look in your photos- so if you want a little color, go for it- you have the pictures for forever.

JCocco219

I am getting married in 25 days (eeeek lol) and I get very tan in the summer but extremely pale in the winter so I knew I needed to tan in order to feel my best. I usually go to beach bum tanning because I feel they're the best but now I go in the tanning beds at my gym (Retro).  It was the most affordable route for me considering I am saving for a wedding and they are not as strong as the tanning beds in salons so I haven't gotten that orange fake look.  I went about 2-3 times a week for about 3-4 weeks and got a nice base going and now I have been going 1-2 times a week to maintain until the wedding and I have a nice little base to where I do not look pale but do not look overly tan.  Remember all of your guests will be pale also and I am assuming (like mine) not all your bridesmaids will be tan so you do not want everyone else pale and you looking like you came off an island Hope this helps! (and yes I too know that tanning is bad) 

futuremrss0130

thank you both! i have 33 days until the wedding so clearly need to make the tanning bed decision stat. 

JCocco219

If you go to a good salon @futuremrss0130 , 1 month is more than enough time!  Just don't over do it! Good Luck!

NowIAmSyp

What about a spray tan?  I get spray-tanned at Beach Bum Tanning (I go to the one in East Hanover, NJ) and I LOVE it.  Just follow their directions (very thorough on their website) and you'll be fine.  I get the natural/light color with a little bit of the next darkest mixed in.  I go two days before I need it- i.e., I got spray-tanned on Wednesday for my Friday wedding.  I had so many friends compliment me on how natural it looked, and there was 0 transfer on my dress.

Why not give it a test run before the wedding and see what you think?  And it's so much healthier!!  (Ladies, no tanning beds!  Agh!   )

futuremrss0130

Thanks NowIAmSyp!! I will look into it--was it a spray tan booth or did you have someone hand spray you?

NowIAmSyp

I had someone hand-airbrush me.  A little more expensive, but totally worth it. Good luck!