Tans, pedicures, girl time… Every Bride’s dream week.

Mary and I after practicing our Bridesmaid/ Flower Girl duties. I discovered something through the Miss California a few years back that I think no girl should have to live without. Well, in this day and age, perhaps no man should live without either? You can decide.

If you are amongst those who crave for that sun-kissed glow and complexion, here is a word of caution. Tanning has been found to have a number of negative effects and disadvantages, causing serious medical conditions. The majority of these are skin related problems because our skin comes directly in contact with the harmful UV rays of the sun. So, in case you are thinking to go for tanning, to acquire the California tan, think again. Though sun rays are very vital for the growth of human cells and provide some essential elements to be included in daily diet, such as Vitamin D, overexposure is always harmful. Overexposure to sun and the harmful UV or ultraviolet rays from tanning lamps leads to aging because it breaks down the elastic tissues in the skin. You can form wrinkles, and freckles, and cataracts. Every tanning session sucks out the youth from our skin and we think we are looking beautiful. What an irony? I am not against tanning. But yes, I am against tanning for more than what is recommended.

So, for the rest of us who don’t like to throw our youth away, my hidden treasure is Kelly Richardson from Sonoma Tanning. (And now Darby from Golden Mist Tanning). Kelly Richardson is the one to thank for the tanned bodies at Miss California every year. She not only donates her time, services, and product to offer free personalized airbrush tans to all contestants, but she also offers a friendship and words of encouragement to all the girls. She has been a true gift, as I often get drowned out from the abrasive stage lights and look pale. Those can turn fair colored skin like mine in normal lighting to “is-she-sickly-looking”? For those like me who have concerns of developing one of the most common forms of cancer, Melanoma, which is caused by tanning, she comes in and offers us an alternative to obtaining healthy, radiant looking skin without any side effects. Kelly has turned into not just “Kelly from Sonoma Tanning” but rather someone I consider a great friend over the last few years. Her selflessness is testament to the kind of generous and sincere people who volunteer in this organization.

So you could imagine my excitement when my blushing bride cousin said she wanted to opt out of sun tanning for her wedding and had set up an appointment to have a mobile airbrush tanning service tan all of her bridal party. I had to halt her in her tracks. I immediately called Kelly and asked who her closest liaison to my area was. And boy did I luck out because Darby from Golden Mist Tanning was very close. Darby also helps Kelly at Miss California airbrush the dozens and dozens of girls. I was excited because I did not know she lived so close to me.

While the weeks flew by, as soon as this week arrived the days crawled by. On Thursday the whole Bridal Party met at the QueenBee Nail Salon to get Pedicures and then we did a caravan back to my house to get our tan on. We snacked and sipped lemonade, and laughed at some hysterical stories. We all came out with glowing natural looking skin and smiles of satisfaction. I loved these girls, everyone was so funny about the lack of shame you have to have when tanning. There are only two days until THE BIG DAY… and then I realized that reality sets in because then my next milestone will be Miss California in just a few weeks. Already? Here's to practicing me NOT falling and ruining Shannon's pictures. I promise to do my best for you!