The Best Fake Tan for Weddings (Plus Expert Tips & Bridal Tanning Secrets)
Get the perfect wedding-day glow with our expert-approved guide to the best fake tans, prep tips and must-have products for every bride, nearlywed, and wedding guest!
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When it comes to your big day, every detail matters, including your glow. The best fake tan for weddings can give you a natural, radiant finish that enhances your look without causing any sun damage, or leaving you looking like a tangerine.
The best fake tan for weddings gives you a natural, glowing finish that looks flawless in photos and in person, but repeat after us. The only safe tan is a fake tan. So rather than spending hours in the sun to achieve that coveted golden glow for your wedding day, seek out a bronzed look from a bottle for your wedding tan.
Whether you're walking down the aisle, posing for photos, or dancing into the early hours of the morning, the right tan will help you feel confident and camera-ready. And there really is something for everyone. From long-lasting formulas to subtle, buildable options, we've rounded up the top bridal-friendly fake tans to suit every skin tone, schedule, and style.
Here’s everything you need to know to achieve the perfect bridal tan - safely.
Spray Tan vs Fake Tan vs Sunbeds
Wondering whether to book a spray tan or try self-tanning before your wedding? Let us help! If you’re a tanning novice, your best bet is to book in for a pre-wedding spray tan. It'll give you a flawless, all-over bridal tan that gives you a glow that suggests you’ve spent two weeks on the beach before you’ve even booked your honeymoon plane tickets.
If you’re a seasoned self-tanner and know how to create a streak-free, natural-looking tan, free from patches and missed-out areas, there’s no reason not to do your own self-tan for your wedding.
One thing we will always advise against though is sunbeds. Despite their continued popularity, The International Agency for Research on Cancer says that using them before the age of 35 can increase chances of melanoma by 75%. Simply not worth it! Especially when there's so many other ways to get a gorgeous all over glow.
Your Ultimate Guide to Self-Tan for Your Wedding
For those who need a little hand holding when it comes to creating a perfect faux-glow, here’s your essential guide to bridal tanning, covering everything from how to stop fake tan transferring onto your wedding dress, to exactly when to to self-tan to be your bronzed best on the big day as well as the best fake tans for your wedding.
1. Begin With Skin Prep
Whether you’re self-tanning at home or booking in for a salon spray tan for your wedding, prepping your skin is non-negotiable.
There are products on the market to help with your at-home self-tan prep. I recommend St Tropez’s Tan Remover Prep & Maintain. You can use it right before your tan, or the day before if you prefer - just apply it onto your tanning mitt and rub onto your skin in circular motions, leave it on for one minute and then rinse off. It removes all traces of previous tan applications, prepping the skin for a fresh coat.
Professional tanning brand Sienna X also sells a pre-tan product to perfect your self-tan. Their Perfect Self Tan Primer acts as a barrier to stop self-tan clinging to traditionally dry areas that can look patchy (elbows and knuckles, we’re looking at you).
One last prepping tip from Jules before you get going on your glow - remove any makeup and deodorant prior to application - but don’t use a cleansing oil to remove makeup. Oils act as a barrier to the tan’s penetration, he cautions.
“For best results, apply your tan an hour after showering so skin is hydrated,” Jules adds. Duly noted.
2. Tan In Stages
Ensure each area of your body is perfectly tanned by tanning each area of the body in stages, advises St Tropez tanning ambassador Michaela Bolder.
“Aim to break up application by working on one area at a time, starting with one arm, working in a fast, long and circular motion to get a flat and even finish,” says Michaela. She advises to repeat this process with your self-tan on the other arm, chest, tummy, legs and back.
3. Single Out Your Hands
Anyone who’s ever had a failed attempt at self-tanning will know the hands and feet are the most troublesome areas to tan - but your hands in particular need to be neatly bronzed for your wedding day, for all of those ring pictures. Luckily Michaela has some handy advice - starting with only using product that’s already on the mitt - don’t apply a fresh pump!
“Stretch your hand into a claw shape and gently sweep the mitt over your hand to your fingers gently spreading in between your fingers for an all over even finish,” she advises.
As for the feet, another notoriously tricky body part to tan, only use the leftover tan on your mitt. “Point your toes and sweep the mitt down over the top, then gently tap your toes using the mitt to press colour over the top,” says Michaela. “Finish by sweeping down the sides of the foot, around the back and over your stretched ankle.”
Still struggling with your wedding tanning? Michaela suggests taking an old bronzing brush or a chunky foundation brush, dabbing it onto your tanning mitt to pick up product, and then blending it over your stretched hands and feet.
4. Don’t Forget Your Back
If you’ve got a backless wedding dress, this tip is vital! “To reach your back when you’re tanning alone, try turning your mitt around and using the back of your hand side to side as high as you can, then switch it back around to work over your shoulder, then underneath your arm to meet in the centre.”
Too much of a faff? Try Isle of Paradise’s tanning mister. It has a 360 degree spray nozzle and you can use it upside down and sideways to reach all the hard to tan areas. Fill it with the brand’s Tanning Water for the best results.
Your Essential Bridal Tanning Kit
Knowing where to start when it comes to finding the products that'll give you a radiant glow. We've rounded up some of our fool-proof favourites...
Self Tan Eraser – Bondi Sands
This wonder product not only eradicates your last tan application, banishing any left over patches of self-tan that are clinging on, it exfoliates and preps your skin ready for a fresh coat of fake tan.
Perfect Self Tan Primer – Sienna X
Apply this primer to your body prior to tanning to minimise the likelihood of a patchy tan. It acts as a nourishing barrier to stop self-tan clinging to traditionally dry areas, resulting in a smoother, more natural tan.
Tanning Mister – Isle of Paradise
This pretty pastel coloured tanning mister tool has a 360 degree spray nozzle and you can use it upside down and sideways to reach all the hard to tan areas. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to a professional spray tan in the comfort of your home
Dual Sided Luxe Tanning Applicator Mitt – St. Tropez
I’ve tried many tanning mitts over the years, but this one is the best. It’s velvety and glides over the skin for a smooth, even tan. It’s waterproof too, so you don’t end up with self-tan on your hands.
Blending Brush – Isle of Paradise
An old bronzing brush will do the trick, but if you want to treat yourself, Isle of Paradise’s purple blending brush is the ideal tool for buffing your tan into your hands - no more missed knuckles with this!
Self Glow by James Read
Of all the self-tans we've tried over the years, this tinted tan serum is the best natural-looking fake tan. Even when you apply it in a rush, the tan always comes out perfect. It dries quickly and develops fast too.
All the James Read formulas are infused with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to hydrate and soothe the skin.
Ultra Dark Violet Bronzing Mousse – St Tropez
For a deep, rich tan this is a great option. Thanks to the violet-tint base it leaves a gorgeous olive tone - no orange streaks insight.
We recommend using it with a good quality mitt for effortless application.
Should You Tan Before Your Wedding Day: Wedding Tanning FAQs
If you're new to tanning or just want to get it perfect then you probably have a few questions. We spoke to celebrity tanning expert and founder of Self Glow, James Read, to get his top tips...
When should I apply fake tan before my wedding day?
"I always recommend doing a trial run at least two weeks before your wedding. This gives you time to see how the tan develops, how it looks in photos, and whether any adjustments are needed.
"Take a selfie in white clothing the next day using your phone, this will give you a realistic idea of how it will look against your dress."
How do I prevent fake tan from transferring onto my wedding dress?
"Apply your tan two days before the big day, this allows the colour to settle and reduces the risk of transfer. If you're using a gradual tan, transfer is very unlikely.
"For spray tans, apply a light layer of moisturiser over the skin before putting on your dress. This acts as a barrier and helps to lock in the tan."
Is a spray tan or at-home fake tan better for a wedding?
"Both options can work beautifully! The key is to apply your chosen tan two days before the wedding, regardless of whether it's a spray tan or a self-application. Just make sure you’ve tested it in advance."
How do I get a natural-looking fake tan?
"The secret is building gradually. Use a gradual tanning lotion and apply it in light, even layers over a few days. This helps create a subtle, radiant glow that looks effortlessly natural."
How do I make my fake tan last through my honeymoon?
"Pack your gradual tan in your travel bag, along with a waterproof SPF. The SPF protects your skin from sun damage, while the gradual tan helps maintain your glow and combat fading from chlorine and saltwater."
Any fake tanning tips for men?
"Yes! Go for clear mists, tanning serums, or drops, these don’t cling to body hair or affect the colour of facial hair. Apply in light layers and build up gradually for a subtle, healthy-looking tan."
What are the best tanning tips for fair skin?
"Start slow! Tanning drops are perfect because you can control the intensity, the more drops you add to your moisturiser, the deeper the glow.
"Gradual tans are also great for fair skin as they typically contain lower DHA (around 4%), making it easier to build colour without going too dark."
Remember, if you're tanning for your wedding, you might need to change your foundation shade - here are our favourite wedding foundations that will last all day!
