The Perfect Bridal Spray Tan Timeline
Your wedding glow should look effortless, natural, and radiant — and timing plays a huge role in making that happen. Whether you’re new to spray tanning or a seasoned glow-getter, planning ahead ensures you’ll walk down the aisle feeling confident and luminous.
Here’s the ideal timeline for your bridal tan, including how to plan for your bachelorette party glow.
The Bridal Trial Tan: 6–8 Weeks Before the Wedding
A trial tan is one of the most important beauty appointments you’ll schedule.
When to book it:
Plan your trial tan about 4–86 weeks before your wedding, ideally before your hair and makeup trial or engagement photos.
Why it matters:
Allows you to test the depth of color
Helps determine your ideal undertone (golden, olive, neutral, etc.)
Gives you a preview of how the tan photographs
Ensures you’re comfortable with how it fades
During your trial, communicate clearly about your dress style, venue (indoor vs. outdoor), and overall bridal vibe. Most brides opt for a natural, radiant glow — something that enhances their skin tone without overpowering their look.
The Wedding Spray Tan: 2-3 Days Before the Big Day
For the most flawless result, schedule your bridal tan 2-3 days before your wedding.
Example:
Wedding on Saturday → Tan on Wednesday or Thursday
Wedding on Sunday → Tan on Thursday or Friday
This timing allows:
Full development of color
Your first rinse
At least one soap shower (aim for two)
Time for the tan to settle into its most natural tone
A buffer in case of any minor adjustments
The goal for your wedding day is a soft, believable glow — just enough warmth to enhance your features, photos, and dress without looking overly dark.
The Bachelorette Party Tan: The Night Before Departure
Your bachelorette party is the perfect excuse to go a little bolder.
If you’d like to be bronzed and glowing for your girls’ trip, schedule your tan the night before you leave. This ensures you arrive at your destination fresh and glowing.
Unlike your wedding tan, this one can be:
A deeper, darker shade
More glamorous and bold
Perfect for beach days, poolside photos, and nightlife
Since it’s a fun, celebratory trip, many brides choose to go slightly darker than they would for their wedding day — and that’s completely okay! Just be sure to allow proper rinse timing before travel, depending on your solution type. Do not use your bachelorette tan as a wedding tan trial- most often, you’re out of your routine on this trip and caring for your spray tan shouldn’t be your priority when you’re partying with your girls!
Planning ahead is the key to achieving that effortless bridal glow. With the right timing — a thoughtful trial, a perfectly scheduled wedding tan, and a bold bachelorette glow — you’ll be glowing for every special moment leading up to “I do.”