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You guys, the glow from my Chicago-white skin could literally blind you. So, I’m going to refrain from posting any pictures. Seriously, the cruel winter has taken my normal, beige, glowy-ness, to a level of transparency that I didn’t even know was possible. If I don’t get some color soon, you will be able to see right through me.
“What did you have for breakfast, Sparkler? Oh wait, looks like Eggos and… what is that? Thin Mints?”
X ray image via Daily Contributor / Breakfast added by me via Peapod and Sun Sentinel
Anyway, this conundrum got me thinking, how am I going to pull off the sun-kissed look on the day our wedding?
I have my usual go-to items for a little color, but I’m worried that the “tan” will make its way over to my diamond-white dress. No bueno.
NARS Body Glow at Sephora
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs at ULTA
My favorite. The Mystic Tan.
Bonne Bell Gel Bronze. Seriously, this stuff is amazing. I first found it in a super fancy New York apothecary-type store. They were selling it from behind the counter, like a top-secret cheap-o fix.
I’ve been planning on getting my usual spray tan for the wedding, but I’m curious…married ladies, did any of you get “tanned” before your wedding? How many days beforehand would you recommend going? Did the color rub off on your dress? And can someone please send some warm sunshine to Chicago? Thanks!
My Scandinavian blood, combined with these ridiculous Northeast winters (snow in April?! wth?!) have left me incredibly pasty and translucent as well. Our apartment complex has a pool (YAY), and we’re close to the shore, so I’m planning on spending lots of time in the sun this summer. I get super tan when I have lots of exposure to the sun, so hopefully I’ll get some color that way! And don’t worry, there are nice beaches in NJ too, not just those that are on reality shows 
The Nars body oil is amazing.. I could bathe in it!! mmm..
BUT- it definitely will transfer onto your dress!
It’s better for poolside/beach time
I got an airbrush tan three days before my wedding. It’s a little awkward standing there naked, having someone spray you down, but looks so much better than Mystic! None of it rubbed off on my dress, I loved it!
After you shower, the tan will not rub off on your clothing.
I wouldn’t do it the night before though - I usually sleep in the stuff to let it set and then shower as usual the next morning - you should let it stay on at least 8 hours.
Maybe the night before your rehearsal dinner would be good.
I am a spray tan fan; I usually go Versa Spa over Mystic since it dries less sticky, but they’re pretty similar. I have been getting sprayed every few days for the past week, just to get all the kinks out/build up a little bit of color and will probably go twice more, the last time being either Wed. or Thurs. before my Saturday wedding…that way, I have time to smooth out any color concentration (i.e. ELBOWS!) and it shouldn’t be fresh enough by Saturday to rub off on my dress! (knock on wood) I’m not doing any at-home tanning products the wedding week because they tend to die my hands!
I have done mystic tan’s before when I went on vaca! I really liked the look of, but it did rub off on my clothes. I wore a white shirt, a day or so after going to get my mystic tan and you could really see the solution on my white shirt.
I would definitely do some uv tanning before your wedding. If you are super white I wouldn’t just do the spray because it might look a little too fake. I would at least start a few weeks before the wedding and maybe go three times a week just for a few minutes. That will give you a good glow without looking to ridiculously tan. You could always do a ‘tanning cocktail’ two days before your wedding where you do uv tanning and then immediately following do a spray tan. I would not do any spraying or tanning during the few days leading up to the wedding. I agree with the other ladies… Do a versa spa if you are going to spray. They are amazing and unless you sweat profusely then it will not be coming off in your dress. You can visit the versa spa website to find one in Chicago.
My best friend in high school got a Mystic Tan a few days before prom where she wore a predominantly white dress and it was ALL OVER the inside.
I am so pale that much of my makeup is labeled “transparent.” I got a mystic tan the Thurs before my Sat wedding and had no trouble with it coming off on my dress at all. Just be sure to moisturize a ton before and after you go, makes a huge difference.
have you ever tried tan wipes? Sephora sells them and they are just like wet wipes that you rub all over your skin. 4 hours later you have a nice light tan.
Hoo boy, I am Midwest pasty right now, too! I’ve never gotten a spray tan, but Jergens used to sell this tanning lotion that worked really well for me last year. I’m actually trying to stay out of the sun this next month because my shoulders tan at the speed of light–and tan lines + strapless dress = no bueno.
Whatever you do don’t use a sunbed, the risks are too high, as as med student my heart drops every time I see someone that wants a real tan for their wedding. Spray can look really natural, if you look for someone that specialises in brides they’ll know how to avoid marking the dress
That’s so funny, because I have the opposite problem. As a redhead in Arizona, I work hard to maintain my alabaster skin. I was just worrying about staying pale for the engagement photo shoot, since I’m marching in the Pride Parade the day before.
I got an airbrush tan two days before (on Thursday for my Saturday wedding); that worked well. Nothing transferred to my dress!
As weird as it was standing naked in front of a stranger to get sprayed, it was worth it. I am a lily-white redhead and just wanted a little color.
My rehearsal dinner was that same night, and I felt a little sticky going to that afterwards, but I smelled really good! (Can’t remember what scent I chose, but guys liked it! 
Good luck!
As a fellow Chicago bride I am feeling your pain!! I’m pretty sure you can see through me. I plan on being spray tanned, I was referred to this lady in the burbs who customizes the color. I can get you her info if you want.
You didn’t mention anything about tanning in a tanning bed, but since it’s been suggested in the comments, I just have to jump in as a former tanning salon employee and say PLEASE DON’T DO THAT. I feel it is my duty, as someone who encouraged people to tan on a daily basis for several years, to encourage people NOT to for the rest of my life. I completely ruined my skin, and it’s so not worth it.
OK, done with that!
Oh, I should say something helpful too, huh? I’ve had good experiences with L’Oreal Sublime Bronze spray and the Jergen Natural Glow foam. Those don’t seem to rub off (if you’ve showered since the last time you used them) — I’ve found that the Jergens lotion sometimes does.
NO on uv beds. YES to mystic!
If I could share my naturally tan skin color w you, Sparks (and CA and Tartlet!) I would in a heartbeat xoxo
ahhh yes tanning! I think I can help you out with this one. I use to work in a tanning salon for 7 years!
My suggestion is as safe as you make it, and will be my plan as well. I suggest to start UV tanning 3 months before the big day. Start with a moth unlimited to whatever salon of your choice for the first 2 months. BASIC equipment is what you need in the beginning to build up that nice base layer. Start out low…. like 4 or 5 minutes, and stay at that time for 4 visits or so. I usually tell people to come every 72 hours. So once the month is over, you are at full time on the basic equipment or very close to. During the last month switch to power equipment and only go twice a week. WHATEVER you do….. do not go tanning less than 2 days before the wedding!!! This will get you your natural tan color, and nothing will be uneven or rubbing off on your dress (although mystic tan is addictive!) Also if you plan on heading to somewhere tropical, you have a nice tan built up for some protection from those intense rays!
Hope that helps.
check out this place in Forest Park, IL near Chicago: http://www.skincarecompany.com
A professional sprays you herself (yes, you are either naked or in your skivvies for this, but she’s a professional, afterall!) A person spraying you is so much better than a machine, IMHO. I had it done for my shower, bachelorette, wedding and a friend’s wedding and received so many compliments on my natural tan! (I am blessed with pale skin as well.) Best of all? It only cost me $25 dollars!
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Mrs. Sparkler, Chicago Age and Occupation: 27, Communications Aficionado Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Publisher Engagement Date: July 21, 2010 Wedding Date: September 2011 Venue: Chicago Illuminating Company About Me: I’m a Southern lady living in the big city of Chicago. Well, lady may be a stretch, but I’m working hard to keep some Virginia charm in our sleek, urban, wedding-palooza! I’m addicted to marathons, not-so-famous bands, Chicago restaurants, and Mark Twain. I cry during SPCA commercials, and I think LOST was the best show to ever hit television. Mr. S and I met at a classy college mixer and, 7 years later, he’s still by my side. He’s the only child, laid back, free spirit... I’m the oldest of five kids, type-A, organizer. It doesn’t work on paper, but we’ve never paid attention to that stuff anyway. Somehow it works. And like they say, sometimes when you know…you just know.
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