To Spray Tan or Not to Spray Tan? Everything Brides Should Know Before Their Wedding Day
One of the questions we hear most often during bridal previews is:
"Should I get a spray tan before my wedding?"
The answer isn't simply yes or no.
A spray tan is completely optional, but if you're dreaming of that soft, sun-kissed bridal glow you see in magazines, Pinterest boards, and wedding galleries, a professionally applied spray tan can beautifully enhance your overall look.
The key is making sure it's done correctly, timed well, and complements your natural beauty rather than overpowering it.
At Briar & Bleu, our philosophy has always been the same: you should look like yourself, just elevated. Whether you choose to stay true to your natural complexion or add a subtle golden glow, your makeup should feel timeless, effortless, and authentically you.
Here's everything we recommend our brides know before wedding week.
Why Brides Choose a Spray Tan
A professional spray tan isn't about looking dramatically darker. It's about creating an even, healthy-looking complexion that photographs beautifully.
A custom spray tan can:
Create a healthy, sun-kissed glow without UV damage.
Even out redness, tan lines, and uneven skin tone.
Help your skin appear smoother in professional photographs.
Give white and ivory wedding dresses beautiful contrast.
Allow bronzer and contour to blend more naturally.
Boost confidence on one of the most photographed days of your life.
The most beautiful bridal spray tans are the ones that make people think, "She looks radiant," not "She got a spray tan."
Is a Spray Tan Required?
Absolutely not.
Some brides love the confidence a spray tan gives them, while others have never had one and prefer their natural skin tone.
Both choices are beautiful.
Our job is never to change your complexion. It's to enhance it. Whether you're fair, olive, deep, or freshly spray tanned, we'll customize every complexion product specifically for you.
Some of our favorite bridal looks have been on brides who skipped the spray tan altogether.
If You Want a Bronzed Bridal Makeup Look...
This is probably the biggest misconception we see.
Many brides bring inspiration photos featuring warm, bronzed makeup but don't plan on getting a spray tan.
The reality is that a bronzed makeup look works best when your overall complexion supports it.
Your foundation should always match your neck, chest, and body, not the skin tone you're hoping to have.
If we apply foundation that's several shades darker than your natural complexion simply to create a bronzed effect, your face can appear disconnected from your body. This is especially noticeable in natural light and professional wedding photography.
Instead, we create warmth through bronzer, blush, and dimension while keeping your complexion true to your skin tone.
If your dream bridal look is that effortless beachy bronze glow, pairing your makeup with a soft, natural spray tan is the best way to achieve it.
When Should You Schedule Your Spray Tan?
For your wedding, we recommend scheduling your spray tan 2–3 days before your wedding day.
This gives your tan enough time to:
Fully develop.
Allow the cosmetic bronzer to rinse away.
Settle into its final color.
Leave time for any touch-ups if necessary.
Whenever possible, avoid scheduling your spray tan the evening before your wedding.
Schedule Your Spray Tan Trial with Your Bridal Preview
One of our biggest recommendations is to schedule your spray tan trial for the same week as your bridal hair and makeup preview.
Seeing your spray tan, hair, and makeup together gives you the most accurate preview of your final bridal look.
Doing all three together allows you to:
Make sure you love the depth of your tan.
See how your makeup photographs against your new complexion.
Decide if you'd like to go lighter or darker.
Make sure your foundation is the perfect match.
Ensure everything works beautifully with your hair color, accessories, and overall wedding aesthetic.
If you arrive at your bridal preview with your natural complexion but plan to wear a spray tan on your wedding day, your preview won't truly represent your final look.
Since foundation, bronzer, blush, and complexion products are customized to your skin tone, even a subtle spray tan can change how your makeup appears.
Having your spray tan trial before your preview allows us to perfect every detail together.
How to Prepare for Your Spray Tan
Proper preparation is what creates the most natural, even finish.
Before your appointment:
Exfoliate your skin about 24 hours beforehand.
Shave or wax before your spray tan appointment.
Skip lotions, oils, perfume, deodorant, and makeup the day of your tan.
Wear loose-fitting, dark clothing afterward.
Follow every aftercare instruction provided by your spray tan artist.
Healthy, well-prepped skin always produces the most beautiful results.
Tell Your Hair & Makeup Artist
If you're planning on getting a spray tan for your wedding, please let us know during your bridal preview or before your wedding day.
We'll customize your foundation, concealer, bronzer, and complexion products to perfectly complement your finished tan.
Our goal is for your face, neck, chest, shoulders, and body to blend seamlessly so your makeup looks flawless both in person and in every photograph.
Wedding Week Beauty Timeline
Here's the timeline we recommend for the smoothest wedding week experience:
5–7 Days Before
Final waxing or shaving (if needed).
Any facial hair removal.
Finish exfoliating regularly.
2–3 Days Before
Spray tan appointment.
Allow your tan to fully develop.
Follow all aftercare instructions.
1–2 Days Before
Manicure and pedicure.
Eyebrow shaping or tinting.
Lash appointments (if applicable).
Pack your touch-up essentials.
Wedding Morning
Arrive with clean, dry hair (unless instructed otherwise).
Arrive with a clean, moisturized face.
Relax and let us take care of the rest.
Our Favorite Local Spray Tan Artists
Looking for someone local to the lowcountry? These are artists we love recommending to our brides because they consistently create beautiful, natural-looking tans that photograph wonderfully.
Coastal Glo by Lo
Kayla Gainey Spray Tan Artist
Sister Sunless Savannah
As always, we recommend booking your appointment well in advance, especially during peak wedding season.
Our Final Thoughts
Whether you choose to get a spray tan or embrace your natural complexion, the most important thing is that you feel confident walking down the aisle.
If you've always loved having a subtle glow, a professional spray tan can be a beautiful addition to your bridal beauty routine.
If you've never had one before, consider scheduling a trial alongside your bridal preview so you can confidently decide whether it's right for you.
And if you decide a spray tan isn't for you? That's perfectly okay, too.
At Briar & Bleu, we believe the most beautiful brides aren't the ones chasing trends. They're the ones who feel comfortable, confident, and completely themselves.
Our goal is never to make you look like someone else.
It's to help you look like the very best version of you.
