When to Get a Spray Tan Before Your Wedding: Exact Timing for a Flawless Glow
Wondering when to schedule your spray tan before your wedding? The sweet spot is typically 2 days before your ceremony. This allows your custom tan to develop fully, settle into your skin, and look its absolute best in person and in photos. Whether you're getting married in Downtown L.A. or flying out for a destination ceremony, here's the exact bridal spray tan timeline I recommend to all my brides.
Your Wedding Spray Tan Timeline
4-6 Weeks Before the Wedding: Book a Trial Tan
This is your test run! A trial lets us:
Find your ideal tone and depth
See how the color wears on your skin over a few days
Adjust the final tan timing based on how it looks on Day 1 vs Day 2 vs Day 3
Bonus: You’ll glow for your bridal shower or bachelorette.
1–2 Days Before Your Wedding Spray Tan: Book Final Beauty Treatments
All beauty treatments should be done 1-2 days before your spray tan to avoid interfering with your spray tan results. This includes:
Manicure and pedicure
Waxing
Eyebrows
Lashes
Important: These should always be done before your final spray tan, never after. Doing them too close to or after your tan can affect how the solution develops, cause patchiness, or fade your glow early.
1-3 Days Before the Wedding: Your Final Spray Tan
Here’s the golden rule:
If your trial looked best the next day ➝ tan 1 day before
If it looked best on Day 2 ➝ tan 2 days before
If it looked best on Day 2 ➝ tan 3 days before
Choose the timing that aligns with when you feel your tan looks the most natural and photo-ready.
Prep & Rinse Timing
Exfoliate 24 hours before your appointment
No lotion, oils, or deodorant the day of
Rinse as directed - no soap or scrubbing during that first rinse
After rinsing:
With Standard tans, moisturize immediately after your first rinse and daily to maintain your glow
With Express tans, wait until the next day before applying lotion and daily to maintain your glow
Read the full prep and aftercare guide here.
When Will the Tan Look Best in Photos?
Most brides say the tan photographs best on Day 2. It tends to look slightly softer and more natural once it’s fully developed and settled.
Final Thought
Every bride wants to look glowing on her wedding day - but the timing of your spray tan is what makes it look effortless. At L.A. Sun Spray Tan, I work with brides from all over Los Angeles (and beyond!) to create a personalized bridal glow that feels natural, luxe, and timeless.
Book your bridal trial here.
