A father of the bride in a pale blue short-sleeve shirt with a boutonniere laughs on a garden terrace above the sea, string lights overhead.

Bridal Beauty Tips

Timing, trials and the week-of details for brides and the people who celebrate with them, worked out the way Jana works them out in the studio.

4 storiesWritten by Jana

From the studio

Mostly a matter of timing

A wedding tan has a lot of people counting on it: the bride, her party, the photographer and a dress chosen months ago. The good news is that nearly all of the work is timing, and timing can be planned.

Here you will find the trial and when to schedule it, the week-of details, and the stories of weddings where the plan came together, including a few for grooms, fathers and anyone else who was not sure they needed one.

For brides

From the first fitting to the last dance

Planning a wedding? Start with the timing guide, then choose the posts that fit your events.

Begin with this one The Father of the Bride Didn't Want a Spray Tan

A father of the bride who was sure he didn't need a spray tan found out, two days before the wedding, that his daughter had already decided otherwise.

By Jana · 6 min read Read the story →

A bride in a backless ivory gown and floral hair piece walks barefoot on a beach at sunset, holding a bouquet.

02I've Planned Wedding Tans for Nearly Twenty Years. Here Are 5 Things Every Bride Should KnowFive things I tell every bride, from why the trial matters most to never tanning the night before, planned from engagement to honeymoon.By Jana3 min read

A blonde woman seen from behind walks along a sunny beach in an off-the-shoulder white linen dress, with colorful beach houses ahead.

03Spray Tan FAQ: Preparation, Rinse Times and How Long It LastsThe questions I am asked most: how a spray tan works, how to prepare, when to rinse and how long it lasts.By Jana3 min read

A bride with wavy light brown hair and a warm, glowing tan wears a strapless ivory gown with beaded embroidery.

04Wedding Spray Tan Timing: When to Book Your Trial and Final TanBook a trial at least two weeks out and the final tan two to three days before the wedding, never the night before.By Jana3 min read

The short version

Three habits every post comes back to

If you only have a minute before your appointment, this is the heart of it. The stories above fill in the why.

01
Before you come in
Exfoliate with exfoliating gloves whenever you shower, including the day of your tan, and shave or wax at least a day ahead. Then arrive with clean, dry skin: no product, no deodorant, no makeup, no lotion and no oil.
The day-of checklist →
02
Your rinse time
Jana gives you your exact time before you leave. Rapid Development and Unity NR rinse at 2, 4 or 6 hours; Bronze Organics, Classic Bronze and Ultra Dark at 8 to 12 hours.
Compare the formulas →
03
The days after
Your tan is fully developed at about 24 hours, so the swim waits until then; after that, swim as much as you like. After that, a hydrating lotion every day and sunscreen outdoors keep it even.
The Bronze Protocol →

You can see Jana's skill in the details: my wrists and ankles looked seamless, with no blotches or uneven spots. The finish looked like my own skin, just warmer.

Carla W.