Whether you have fair skin or a natural olive tone, tanning before your wedding can give you a much-needed touch of color before you're presented among your family and friends. The extra boost of color will create some contrast between your dress and skin, and it will also create a base so your makeup stands out more. An added plus is hiding any imperfections such as scars and blemishes, and it can also improve your muscle definition, so you will look tone in that strapless number. So how can you effortlessly become a tanned goddess before the wedding bells chime?

Achieve Sun Not Sunburn

You can achieve as much of a tan as you want, because there are several options. You can lie in the sun or try various self-tanning methods. If you decide that UV rays are the way to go, remember to prepare your skin so you end up tan and not uncomfortably burned and peeling.

It's important to give yourself at least two months to work on your tan. You don't want to rush the process and look like a lobster in a white dress. Start slow by lying outside or in a tanning bed for ten minutes, especially if you have fair skin and tend to burn. Wear sunscreen if you're planning to go longer, but make an effort to pace yourself, because once you burn, it will take time for your skin to completely heal.

Set the Timer for Brown Not Crispy

Your goal is to achieve a warm glow of healthy color for your wedding. You don't want to be tanner than usual, because this added color will affect your makeup and hair. For instance, if you have blonde hair and get as dark as you possible can, you might look washed out. You will also have to adjust your makeup pallet and choose darker shades to show up on your tan skin, and if you already have your pallet planned out, it's not good to rush a new decision.

To prevent yourself from tanning too much, always set a timer even if you're just soaking up the sun on your deck. As you're lounging in the warm sun, time can go by quickly without you realizing.

Self-Tanning Options

Opting for a sunless tan is healthier, because you don't have to worry about potentially causing skin cancer or burning yourself. There are many different products to try, and in order to attain optimal results, you might want to test out the different methods several months before the wedding. With self-tanners, you will have to be conscious of the color of your tan, because many of the products produce an orange glow rather than a brown radiance. So experiment your heart out so you don't look like an alien bride.

Gamble on Creams, Lotions & Sprays

These three sunless options are the trickiest, because they require a steady hand and the ability to have eyes in the back of your head. However, if your mother or bridesmaid is willing to help you, don't turn her down. It's difficult to get the backside of your body even, and you also have to work with thin layers of the product at a time. Because these tint your skin, you have to do several applications, which slowly become exfoliated away ever time you shower. Also, you need to be cautious around your knees, ankles, elbows, hands and feet, because any leftover light spots will stand out.

Wipe your Tan on with Tanning Towels

Tanning towels can be easier to work with in comparison to goopy creams and runny sprays. However, it's still important to be consistent and even, which can be difficult when you have no indication where you just rubbed on the tanner. And you still need to watch those uneven body parts (knees, elbows, hands, etc.).

Mist on the Glow with a Spray Tan

If you're tired of dealing with the lotions and potions, get an instant tan by spray tanning. Many tanning salons offer this service, which is more convenient and hassle free for you. Some salons manually spray the tan on you while others have a machine that does it automatically. Either way you will walk out of the shop like a tanned goddess. You might have to go a couple times, but make sure that your last spray tan is done three to four days before the wedding so the color doesn't bleed onto your dress.

Tanning under the sun is a bad idea if you're pregnant or on medication. Some medications can make you more sensitive to the UV rays and cause you to burn. However, if you go with this option, go between three to six times for a nice base. If you choose to try sunless options, try them out way ahead of time, but if you don't have the patience or want to risk having an orange cast on your big day, try the misting tan to see if it's up to your Bridezilla standards.

-- Marina Hanes