Tanning for dummies

Jessica
Before I start, I'd like to just say that I'm only tanning for a month or so because I will be in a wedding soon. So before you lecture me on the hazards of tanning just hold your breath please! 
So anyways... I just signed up for tanning a week ago. I have fair skin and have never tanned at a salon prior to this. I would love some tips and help from you ladies and gentlemen! So far I have went every other day. The first day I went, I stayed in for six minutes because I'm so pale. I got no results at all, not even a little pink. So the next session I went in for eight minutes. Still nothing. This morning the lady bumped me up to 12 minutes because I was still ghostly white. Well let's just say I'm not white anymore. My stomach and back are burnt. I didn't blister or peel or anything, just a little sting and redness. Any time I peel I don't tan, I just go back to pale. My question is... In order to get it to turn into a nice tan and not peel, when is the next time I should go again (how many days) and what duration of time should I do? I don't want to go too soon but I also don't want to wait too long and lose my progress. Amy advice b be greatly appreciated!