Fake tan is pretty divisive when it comes to weddings. Many brides consider it an essential, whereas others steer clear, wary of unwanted patchiness, streaks and transfer onto the all-important wedding dress. If you’re in the latter camp (but you’re open to persuasion), we have a few tips and tricks for you.

Check a few boxes and your bridal fake tan can end up being pretty fool-proof. We’ve enlisted the experts to guide you in the art of a pre-wedding fake tan. Mitts at the ready…

The active ingredient in fake tan is DHA, it reacts with the amino acids in our dead skin cells to darken them. DHA can be drying, so it might seem counterintuitive to apply it to your face when you’ve been booking in facials and buying serums to lock down that coveted bridal glow. According to St. Tropez’s tanning and skincare expert, Michaella Bolder, there is a way to have your wedding cake and eat it too: “Mix tanning drops with a light moisturiser before blending over your face with a large foundation brush,” she advises. “This offers your complexion a natural glow while helping to hydrate your skin on the delivery of DHA.”

Try St. Tropez Tan Luxe Tan Tonic Drops, $60, or Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops, $61.

Ashley Graham has come up with a great solution for fake tanning tricky areas like your hands and feet. She’s currently the face of St. Tropez and recently took to the brand’s Instagram to demo her tried-and-tested technique. She presents the St. Tropez Self-Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist to camera and says “you can use this for your face, but you can also use this for your hands.” Holding her hand in a claw shape, she proceeds to finely mist it with the tanning water. Genius! 

Try Rose Illuminating Facial Tan Mist, $14.99, and Isle of Paradise Night Glow Self-Tan Face Mist, $34.

Your wedding gives you license to spend more time on your hair, make-up and skincare than you’d ever afford in reality. And your fake tan routine deserves the same attention. 

Stick To What You Know

First, resist the temptation to try out an unfamiliar fake tan ahead of your big day, whether you’re booking in for a professional spray tan or doing your own. Tried-and-tested is the way forward when it comes to your wedding. And always factor in a trial run. Choose an event that’s a month or so earlier than your big day and go through your pre-wedding fake tan routine in full. Whether that means booking in with your favourite spray tan professional or going through the DIY motions at home. The peace of mind this will give you as your wedding day draws closer is priceless.

Always Be Prepared

Apply your fake tan no later than two days before your wedding day. This allows you enough time to correct any mistakes should there be any, but you should always have an effective fake tan remover on hand just in case. Renowned fake tan pro James Harknett has Bali Body’s Self-Tan Remover in his kit, while James Read advises picking up a lemon. “Squeeze some lemon juice into some warm water, then using a clean mitt or a flannel, gently rub over your skin to temper any patchiness,” he says. If that doesn’t work, James advises running a bath. “Add plenty of oil to your bath, sit in it for 20 minutes and dry. The oil helps to break down your tan evenly.”

Protect Your Wedding Dress

Many brides are concerned about leaving fake tan marks on their wedding dress, and it’s easily done, especially if you’re using a fake tan with a guide colour. Harknett, though, has a handy tip. ‘Use a large foundation brush or a kabuki brush to dust some talc around the areas of skin where your dress will sit.” This cuts down on friction between your skin and your dress and slashes the odds of any colour transfer. Duly noted.