Required spray tanning for bridesmaids?

That is beyond unreasonable on many levels.

Dude I wouldn’t want one either. The other alternative you can bring to her is tanning lotion like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/jergens-natural-firming-moisturizer-medium/dp/b001utk76c

I don't do spray tans, and I don't think I'll get one for my own wedding, and I won't require or request my bridesmaids to get a spray tan.

The only time I got a spray tan was for my best friend's wedding where I was the MoH. She asked nicely, and I was happy to get a spray tan for her wedding. I don't think it is too much for your sister to ask of you. You can scrub the spray tan off or let it fade naturally after a few days. To me it's like wearing a specific dress or getting your makeup done a certain way for a wedding.

View Quoted Comment I am naturally whiter than paper and I discovered the Neurogena sunless tanning lotion as a teenager and had/have great results with it, but either you or whoever is putting it on is stuck with orange hands that don't easily wash off.

View Quoted Comment I kinda feel the same way. Obviously it’s your body and you can choose whether to spray it tan or not... but personally that wouldn’t be the hill I wanted to die on. Spray tans are safe and very temporary. And who knows, maybe you will love it!

I would just do it. Especially since she is paying for it. Since that is the case I would go with it. If she was making you pay for it, I would probably not then.

My advice would be for you to suck it up and just get the spray tan. I've been in bridal parties where the bride was pretty clear that us bridesmaids were getting spray tans for the wedding. I don't think it is a unreasonable demand. Spray tans are temporary and they'll fade quickly. I agree with Melissa above, it isn't really that different from wearing makeup on the day. The last wedding I was a bridesmaid in, our very tomboyish friend was fine with getting spray tan, and we were surprised that she'd even agree to makeup and high heels!

I'll admit, I might be biased because I like spray tans and get them for any formal occasion. But I don't think your sister is that out of line. It's a fair and simple request and she's paying for it.

That’s very unreasonable of her.

No, I do not think this is reasonable. It's your body and nobody can force you to get a spray tan.

I personally wouldn’t do that even if someone is paying for it. If you’ve never gotten one before, you have no idea how your skin will react. I personally have a skin condition, so it would be a hard no from me.

While I personally would be okay getting a spray tan, I think it is very unreasonable to require it! While a particular dress, jewelry, shoes, hair, or makeup can be instantly changed and undone as soon as the wedding is over, a spray tan is unable to be quickly or easily removed. A make up artist should be able to do your make up in a way that is perfect for your complexion while ensuring you don’t look washed out while wearing your dress!

She seems focused on the wrong things. 😕

If she's paying for it, I don't see a huge reason not to get a spray tan. I'm not aware of health risks associated with spray tans, and I don't think its common for people to be allergic to spray tan (if you have a lot of allergies or super sensitive skin then I'd recommend doing some research). I'm fair skinned and have never had a spray tan but I would probably try one out if someone else was paying. I'd just make sure there is enough of a time buffer after for the tan to come completely off before you have other events (sometimes tans can be patchy as they exfoliate off). May to October is plenty of time.

I think it would be different if she expected you to cover the cost, but if she's paying, there aren't really any risks, you don't have any special events immediately or shortly after, and the result is very temporary, it doesn't seem like a huge deal to me. It's definitely a weird request, and I could see how it would make some people uncomfortable or how others are commenting that it's inappropriate and out of line, but it just wouldn't personally bother me that much.

Might be an unpopular opinion, but I don't think there's anything wrong with your sister's request. Or any bride's request for her bridesmaids to get a spray tan if the bride is willing to pay for it. Bridesmaids will wear dresses that they don't usually wear, they'll have their makeup and hair done in ways they don't usually have done, and that is an expected part of being a bridesmaid. I don't think a spray tan is any different. You get it done the day before, and it will vanish soon on its own, or you can scrub it off. It isn't like being expected to go on a weight loss program 3 months out, or cutting your hair for the wedding.

Unless there's allergies or skin conditions involved. I think a bridesmaid should get a spray tan if the bride asks it of her, and it would be unreasonable for the bridesmaid to refuse, especially if the bride is paying. So I don't think your sister is out of line, and you should just get the spray tan.

If it is your first time, you should get a trial or what they call a patch test in case your skin reacts badly to it.

As someone who has never had a spray tan before and has no desire to ever get one, I’d say no, but it’s up to you if it’s with the fight. I’m also a much more laid back bride, letting everyone pick there dresses, shoes, hair, makeup, jewelry, etc because my MOHs aren’t clones they are unique individual people.


I have been using a tanning lotion from Just Nutrive that works great, doesn’t leave me with orange hands, and doesn’t smell nearly as bad as some of the other brands I’ve looked at. It is admittedly kind of pricey, but it gives me a natural color and has better ingredients.
My cousin also recommended Tan-Luxe to me, which you can add to your regular body lotion. She got a sample and became obsessed.

It is completely unreasonable for someone to ask you to alter your body for your wedding. Your hair 's cut , color, style, cut of facial or leg hair, your skin ( inc tattoos) , whether or how you do your nails, and your wearing of personal jewelry is always your choice. If a bride expresses a preference, do it only if you want. You as bridesmaid, MOH or any other need to wear the dress or suit chosen for the wedding ceremony. Beyond that, you must be clean and well groomed, but how, is up to you. You are not a prop for pictures. You are not an actress or model making $300 an hour to alter your appearance for an employer.
And you are not there to wait on or provide services, or be bossed around by a bride, MOB or anyone else. Do what you want. Artificial tanning is always unhealthy. You choose. If she explains, politely explain that she is overstepping her boundaries. If she persists, I would leave the wedding party. It's a power play on her part, and if she does not want you unless she can control everything about her friends/ family, she is not worth knowing. I have been in wedding parties where some or all have said no, sometimes me, and brides usually back down. Someti.es they get nasty about if. I have been in a few where the bride got pushy with one, when the entire bridal party walked. And in the process showed a nasty enough side of herself that when the bride finally gave in, no one would come back. I hope bridezilla realizes she is out of line.

I think it’s absurd for her to require it. I’d say something to her, but I’d probably do it if she was paying for it.
I’ve had them done twice and honestly after I took a shower you couldn’t even really tell I had it done any more.

I agree with you that it’s too much to ask. But if she’s paying and all the other bridesmaids have agreed then I guess I’d go along. I don’t think it’s going to make the photos look better, but I’d probably get a kick out of seeing how the photos turn out after all. 😂 If you never tan again you can at least laugh at the one over the top wedding where you had to and you looked unnatural to yourself in her precious photos. 😜

Yikes...I don't understand the mentality of someone who asks all their (suppsoedly??) closest friends to change their skin color for days...instead of just PICKING A MORE FLATTERING COLOR. lol one of the first things I considered when picking out dresses is "does this color clash with my girls' skin tones?"

As someone who is beyond pale and very proud of it, that’s ridiculous. I like how someone else put it - you’re not a prop. Just my own personal thing, I would look strange with a spray tan, and I also boycott the idea that tan is the “norm” and therefore should do whatever is necessary to appear that I am. Just my two cents. Good luck!