Dip dye colour for your wedding dress
Dress Alchemy: dip dye colour for your wedding dress
I offer several types of dip dye colour for your wedding dress. Choose from my two different techniques, and whether to colour your dress directly or have a custom overskirt made. I also add colour to veils.
I am happy to offer guidance in making the right choice for your wedding dress if you fill out the enquiry form.
If you decide to book, my order form will ask you ALL the questions, to ensure I make exactly what you are hoping for.
I offer spray colour or wet-dye, which are each suitable for different fabric types and effects. See below for a brief outline of these techniques and when they might be used.
Classic Phoenix dip dye colour on full tulle skirt.
This skirt was coloured using my spray technique for clear, well placed colour on all layers. Nine shades were blended to create the beautiful ombre fade.
Photo by Emma Cromptom
Dress Alchemy
what would you like to colour?
I can colour your dress directly using the technique suitable to its fabrics.
My custom tulle overskirts are perfect if your prefer to leave your dress untouched, or have the coloured layers removable.
I can add dip dye colour to bought or custom veils.
Direct colouring
Any shape or style of dress can be coloured though there are limitations with fabrics and styles that mean usually only one of my two techniques is suitable for any given dress. Each technique has pros- and cons and risks involved which you must weigh up when deciding if direct colouring is right for you and your dress.
I can colour a dress you bring to me, or I can create a bespoke dress for you from scratch ensuring it is suitable for the dye method we need for your desired colour effect.
Costs vary from £400-£900 depending on the style of your dress, technique and number of colours required.
Most dresses cost around £600
Above top: I used the spray method to add purple and black dip dye colour to Victoria's tulle and lace wedding dress.
Photo by Photoforrester
Above bottom: Lisa's wedding dress was made bespoke by me and then dip dyed using the wet-dye method to create a vibrant Santorini Blue for her Greek Island wedding day.
Photo by Photocreations
Below: I added ombre spray colour to the lining layers of Megan's wedding dress, leaving the top tulle layer with lace plain.
Photo by Ben Selway
Custom tulle skirts
Dip dye tulle overskirts. Each skirt is made bespoke to fit over your wedding dress with two layers of sheer tulle. Or with a lining to wear as a stand alone separate.
Custom sizes, made to order.
Any length with or without a train.
Prices include colouring £450-£900
The most popular style is £600
floor length full circle skirt made with two layers of tulle
The skirts can be sewn to your dress, above or below the top layer, or made removable for a different look later in the day.
Above top: Tequila sunrise dip dye tulle overskirt for a citrus themed photoshoot. Photo by Lisa Kennedy
Above middle: Tulle overskirt dip dyed in greens with a gold hem for a wildflower theme photoshoot. Photo by Lucy King
Above bottom: Real bride Jessica wears one of my custom dip dye tulle overskirts with sunset colours
To enquire about dip dye colour for your wedding dress head to me contact page or use my dedicated the dip dye enquiry form
The two Colour techniques I use
ombre Spray
An ombre spray colour technique suitable for tulle, net and lace fabric. Beautiful colour fades and rainbows, any numbers of colours, any height up your wedding skirt or train.
Most dresses are around £600 to colour with this technique but might be anything £400-£900 per dress.
Spray ombre colour applied to bought veils from £80-£300
The ombre spray technique is very controlled, colours can be applied in any order, vertically or horizontally or like flames or mottled sunlight through the leaves. Choose this dip dye colour for your wedding dress if you want lots of colours or colours in a non-rainbow pattern.
There is a very slight texture change to the coloured area of fabric which means it is not suitable for woven fabrics. Only 'fabric with holes in' like net, lace and tulle can be coloured this way.
Above: I coloured Celeste's custom tulle overskirt using my spray ombre technique in shades of blue and purple.
Photo by Jessica Slade Photography
Veils can be coloured using either method, suitable to the materials involved.
Wet Dip dye
A true 'wet' dip dye technique in 1-3 colours for woven fabric dresses like chiffon, crepe and satin.
£300-£700 per garment.
I can colour natural or man-made fabrics. Most wedding dresses are either polyester or silk, check your dress label to find out the fibre content.
Wet dip dye leaves woven fabrics as soft and flowy as before they were coloured but there are limitations on the number of colours and the order of colours possible. Colour theory comes into play!
The colour soaks into your dress through immersion in a hot water dye bath. The colour moves through the laws of science and capillary action to create natural, organic blends but it is not completely even like a computer printed gradient. Choose this dip dye colour for your wedding dress method if you are relaxed about exact colour placement.
Above: Ella in her wedding two-piece dress by Catherine Deane . I used a wet dip dye technique to add a subtle colour fade of the softest primrose yellow, peach and warm orange to her hemline.
Photo by Sadie Penn Photography
Full garment dyeing -sorry, No thank you!
Please note I DO NOT offer a 'full garment dyeing service'. I only colour the hem/skirt area of suitable wedding dresses. If you are looking to dye a whole wedding dress or other garment please feel free to read my blog posts as to why this is a tricky task and only to be trusted to the right person. Though I know a lot about dyeing, and could dye whole garments if I wanted to set myself up with the right kind of dye-room, I do not have that desire.
“Felicity listened to what I wanted, gave a clear quote and completed the alterations so nobody could see them. Clear booking system as well. Would recommend.”
Sometimes it takes a little adjustment here and there to make a wedding dress feel like it was made for you, and sometimes a dress needs a more dramatic transformation. Either way, I`m here to help.
If you`re interested in getting your dress altered for this year, I`m currently booked up until the beginning of October. So if your wedding is November onwards and your dress doesn`t feel quite right yet, drop me a message. But don`t wait too long - spaces are filling up fast.
You can always book in a no-obligation consultation with me, to see if I would be the right fit for you and your dress - link in bio.
Photography - Birdseye Photography
Isabelle thought she had found the dress she wanted for her wedding day. But her mum wanted to gift her something a bit more special for such a special day.
When I met Isabelle, she showed me the dress. It was pretty, but it was made from cheaper fabrics, and there were parts of the dress she wasn`t as keen on.
We worked together to identify what about her inspiration dress she liked, and I made sure to include all those elements in her design. And, on top of that, we also changed the parts of the inspiration dress that she didn’t like that much.
She knew she wanted colour (whereas the original dress was white), she knew she wanted shorter sleeves, and a straight neckline, instead of the sweetheart neckline the other dress had.
We came up with a pale blue silk cocktail dress, with Chantilly lace layered over top and Guipure lace trim on the waistline.
It goes to show the difference between a cheaper dress and the bespoke experience. You can love both versions of the dress, and want to wear both, but with bespoke you get to make every element tailored to your preferences.
Photography - @mirandavphoto
Throughout my years as a bespoke wedding dress maker, lace is a fabric I have worked with time and time again. And it never gets boring.
Why?
Because there are just so many different kinds, in different colours, finishes and patterns. I have books and books of lace samples from my suppliers (shout out @bridalfabrics) you could easily lose a few hours admiring.
This is just a glimpse into what can be done with lace when it comes to alternative wedding dresses. If there`s a kind of lace in this post you want to know more about, ask away in the comments and I`ll make sure to reply.
And make sure you scroll to the end to see the fabric that always gets mistaken for lace, even though it isn`t.
Which of these lace looks is your favourite?
Photographers:
1. @jessicajillphoto
2. @dinawardphotography
3. barryholder.co.uk
4. @jessicajillphoto
5. @altweddingco
6. @snappedbycatx
7. @emilyhudson.photography
8. @carolinehorne.s.photography
9. @emilyhudson.photography
Sure, my usual role is a bespoke wedding dress maker, creating beautiful and unique garments for brides looking for something a little different.
But sometimes I`m also a lighting assistant, a caterer, a last-minute-rush-to-the-shopper. That`s the fun of being a creative, working with other creatives.
This was from a styled photoshoot I organised, based on the iconic 90s film, Strictly Ballroom. I made these dazzling neon bridesmaids outfits based around the stunning costumes of Latin ballroom dancers. Our photographer really wanted the colours to pop in the atmospheric darkness of our location, so of course I volunteered myself as floor level tripod 😂
The photos turned out amazing, so it was definitely worth it!
Have you ever found yourself doing a job you never expected?
Dresses @felicitywestmacott
Photography @jessicajillphoto
Video/content @weddingstorytellerco
Venues @theoldtimberstore_se1 @malt.maltby
Florals @jemimainthewoods
Event Equipment Hire @cohire
Bridesmaid models @Lisaeggy3 @Boobzylou @oleksanacoaching
Choreography @oleksanacoaching
Hair and Make-up lead @melindabridal @melinda_grant
Hair and Make-up @beccibrushes
Jewellery @CatherineMarche
Neon Sign @thisisasignuk
Shoes @shoesbylarisa
Forget-me-nots, cornflowers, bluebells, hydrangea...
All those blooms in shades of lapis, azure and sapphire, growing up from the earth, and cascading down from the neckline - a bride enveloped in blossoming sky blue beauty.
Layers of light, fluffy tulle floating to the ground, with every petal carefully placed to create the perfect composition. Botanical and beautiful. With balloon sleeves and a wide neckline, so the sun can still kiss her shoulders.
This is a bride from a modern fairytale. Like Sleeping Beauty awakening from her slumber and taking her fate into her own hands.
And the final detail, to bring it all together? A bespoke waistcoat for the groom, with hints of the same floral elements. A happily ever after.
Photography - @rsbrown.photography.film
Location - @stanlakepark
Flowers - Nicola Hozier Flowers
#BespokeBridal #AlternativeBride #UnconventionalBride #MatureBride
"Just a very quick note from Rome to let you know how very admired your dress was. Lots of people said how beautiful it was. It really was the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. I definitely would like to work out how to potentially wear it again - I can’t bear the thought that I’ll never wear it again!
Thank you again - you truly are an alchemist!"
All the quiet hours designing, cutting, sewing and hand-stitching were all worth it, just to hear a bride so happy with her wedding dress.
Want to see what this dreamy dress looked like on the day? I`ll be posting the official wedding shots later this week. You won`t want to miss this one, I promise you. This gown has quickly become a new favourite of mine 💙
#bespokeweddingdress
Photography Credits on this Page
dip dye rainbow skirt with bouquet: Holly Mills photography
green swishing skirt: Lucy photography
red dip dye veil: permission given, no link supplied