To tan or not to tan?

4 months and a hundred bucks for a tan? Pass!

I don't tan very well either. If I tried I'd end up either orange or burnt. Even if I did manage to successfully tan, it'd just look weird. I'm just going to rock my naturally fair skin, like I do every other day.

For me personally, I am not going to tan. As in I won't be going to tanning salons, I'm intimidated by the whole skin cancer deal. I'd rather be pasty and translucent. But that's just me.

What about spray tan? You could give it a try, I'm not sure how much it costs, but you wouldn't get the UV exposure, and you could still end up with a nice glow. Do test though before you decide to do it for your actual wedding.

I like being translucent lol. It adds to the vintage look I'm going for.

I would personally pass on it.

1) I don't have the budget to pay for a tan

2) I don't tan, I burn more then anything.

If you want to try it out, I would do a test run before your wedding to see if its something you want to really do.

I don't tan at all and I wouldn't do one just for a nice glow at our wedding. If you are having a professional MUA Im sure she can help you with a nice glow. I know this is probably not something that may work, but they do have lotions that claim to give your skin a natural glow. Maybe you can try those! It's wayyyy cheaper and nothing that will be damaging your skin.

I wouldn't do it. I've never actually tanned, but my mom and I have gone for spray tans before and while I liked how it looked, I'm a very fair redhead and it looks somewhat unnatural for me to be tan, so I didn't for our wedding. DH doesn't like it. Also, I had so much other stuff to do that week that it would have stressed me out even more to be trying to schedule a tan on top of that. If you're on the fence, I wouldn't do it.

I would pass. Buy a gradual tanning lotion.

I did careful natural tanning with 30 SPF in a bandeau swim suit all summer, too scared to do spray tanning or tanning beds. I was the tannest I've been without burning or tanlines. Bottom line, just do what you can but don't necessarily go out of your way. You will want to look like yourself, and not saying that you do or don't but some people don't look good with a tan.

I see the cost as an additional reason not to tan. The most important reason not to tan is the long term damage to your skin that tanning causes. It is not safe. Not only does tanning greatly increase your risk for skin cancer but it also causes premature aging. To me the short term look just isn't worth it.

Keep looking and check groupon for some deals. I'm most confident when I'm a little sun kissed so it's definitely worth it to me!! I think i look 10 lbs skinnier tan as well so it's an easy choice for me. A lot of places have first time client deals, just call and ask

I used to tan often. It was a mental relaxation thing for me and I always felt more confident tan but I'm paranoid about cancer risks now so I doubt I'll be in a tanning bed for the wedding. My daughter used to get spray tans often (she's a day glo orange headed, skin so pale it's translucent kind of Ginger) and they have a level that is just for a tiny sun kissed glo. Looked great on her! My only concern would be having it rub off on your dress if you end up sweating a lot.

Just don't do it. If you REALLY feel like you must be tan - then go get a spray tan done by a professional. It'll be less expensive and it won't permanently damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer later in life. Or try a gradual tanning lotion like Jergen's. I got a light spray tan before my wedding because I had some tan lines from the summer I was trying to cover up. As long as you get the spray tan done 2 to 3 days ahead of your wedding you won't run any risk of the color rubbing off on your dress.

But seriously, don't tan. Like @Natalie said - tanning causes skin cancer and premature aging. It just isn't worth it. I've been on the bad sad of what tanning can do to your skin. My mom has had multiple basal and squasel cell carcinomas removed from all over her body and my dad is currently (Thank God) in remission for melanoma. One of their close neighbors died a few months ago though from a very aggressive type of melanoma.

I agree with the general opinion here, don't tan! I have used that Jergen's Natural Glow lotion. It DOES work! They even make a special face one so you don't get all orange. Even though I'm pale, I always chose the Medium because I felt it left more of a bronzy tan as opposed to orange.

I can attest to the spray tan not rubbing off onto clothes. Getting it done 2-3 days in advance, like Lauren said, is ideal (just don't shower for at LEAST 12 hours once the spray is on you). If you've spray-tanned before, you know. If not, they'll tell you about it I'm sure. Just ask questions. I'd get a pedicure done first, but certainly not immediately before. Maybe get the pedicure done 4 days in advance, then shower, then do the spray tan (or lotion). Or you could just ask them not to put lotion on your calves. Lotion acts like a barrier, and the spray tan won't absorb or stick to your skin.

With that said, if you decide to go to the tanning beds, I don't think $25 a month is a lot. It sounds reasonable to me, but I don't think them requiring a 4-month commitment is reasonable.

AlexisM082!!! Hahahahaha you had me literally laughing out loud!!!!

I'm going back and forth on this myself. I like spray tans, and I've had a few before where a pro manually applies it to you and it comes out looking really good. I am very fair, and even with tan product on, I still look fair, just a little "glowier." But I would hate to have a mishap and end up having my wedding be the one time I didn't like the results!

Right now I am thinking I'll go to a high quality spa for it.

I'm pale 99.9% of the year. I spend the other .01% lobster red, there is no tan for me. I'm comfortable with the paleness now, and obviously my FH doesn't care, so I'm not going to stress over it.

Thanks so much, everyone! Y'all have convinced me to not do the tanning bed thing (saves me that $100 too!). I think I might try the tanning lotion, and see how that turns out. Worse comes to worse, y'all are right, I can always do a spray tan the week of the wedding. Thanks again!!!

I tanned for a month and that was to get rid prominent tan lines because I tan easily and wear racerbacks quite a bit. For a four month committment? If you don't hAve tans Linea to fix, I wouldn't worry about it, personally.

Glad we could help! If you do the spray tan, I personally would recommend only a place where a person actually sprays you. It may be a bit uncomfortable to be partially naked in front of a stranger, but you can always wear a bandeau bra, and they usually have disposable undies. If you find a place like that, do a test run and maybe don't mention you're the bride. I had one place say, "Oh we don't spray brides!" I guess they're afraid of messing up? I really don't know, but the place I go has NEVER done me wrong. I've been sprayed there about 5 times.

Ummm yes I will be tan, that's my #1 beauty prep for my wedding!! Have you considered a spray tan? I would highly recommend them, I get one for all major events and they look so natural! I have never done a mystic one (the booth), I always go to a person. Most salons have them now. It costs about $30 in my area.