Wedding Photography: To Tan or Not To Tan?

In today’s society, getting a beautiful tan is easy. There is an abundance of tanning salons available, many now offering "spray tanning" in addition to tanning beds. Tanning offers a nice warm glow to skin tones and can be a beautiful asset to your wedding day photography. The question, however, is this. How much tan is appropriate and what are the considerations?
The ideal tan is a medium tone. Many brides want the deep dark "Hawaiian" tan for their special day. Too much of a tan looks harsh and unnatural, actually detracting from the pictures. Also, especially if you skin tone is pale to begin with, too much tanning could result in a burn and peeling rather than a nice even tan. Strive for a color that looks natural.
Spray tanning can prevent burning and peeling but there are two considerations:
1) It usually only lasts a few days, and
2) it can smear on your wedding dress, especially when perspiring on a warm day.
If you are considering a spray tan, I would suggest trying it a few weeks ahead and wearing light clothing the next few days to determine how much rubs off and when. That way, you can plan for the ideal time to get sprayed before your wedding.
My recommendation? Do get a tan, but don’t go overboard. A healthy natural glow looks best!