Ombre Wedding Dresses for UK Brides

Vintage 1950's wedding car with dipdye wedding dress

I love colour and making ombre wedding dresses for UK brides is one of my favourite types of commission. The first dipdye effect dress I created was for a photoshoot in 2016. Images of that dress went viral but it still took a few years before people began asking me to recreate the effect for their own weddings.

I mostly create the ombre colour using a spray technique but I also occasionally do a true ‘dip-dye’ using wet dyes. It’s a risky and difficult business to manage the sheer quantity of fabric in many wedding dresses. And even slimline or lightweight dresses still carry heavy emotional value and so I always take very great care when creating ombre wedding dresses for UK brides and brides from all over the world.

None of my dip dye techniques are reliably washable but they work well for a wedding day. You can find out more about the risks you must take into account when commissioning a dip dye dress here.

Examples from my archive of dip dye and ombre wedding dress work

This wedding dress is made in layers of soft tulle in pale ivory and blush. The design is called ‘aurora’ and the size 10 sample is for sale in my Etsy shop. For this dip dye, I coloured the hem in an ombre effect using deep burgundy, crimson and pink.

Brianna ordered one of my Phoenix dresses. I have first designed this dress in 2018, applying a vibrant sunset dipdye colour way to the hem and I have made versions for many brides since. Brianna’s wedding took place in the US, so her dress was made to her measurements and then shipped over for final fittings with a local seamstress. See more pictures of Brianna’s dress here.

Official wedding photography by Parker Jones Photography (located in Twin Falls, Idaho)

Another photoshoot example of the ‘Aurora’ dress. The skirt is made from three layers of soft tulle in ivory and blush, with a beautiful gradient from baby pink down to dark cerise.

Photography – Andrew Wilkinson Photography.

I call this particular combination my ‘Phoenix’ colour-way. It’s one of the most popular choices for brides looking to add colour to their wedding dress. It starts off fiery, with yellow, orange and red. Then it transitions into deep crimson and finally purple and blue. These colours together are just such a stunning combination.

Photography – Holly Mills Photography

I made this ombre periwinkle wedding dress from layers of tulle, in graduating shades of blue. I hand dyed some of the tulle to suit the periwinkle theme. The cupped bodice is appliquéd with 3D ribbon flowers cascading onto the skirt, and the train extends from the shoulders in soft drapes creating a beautiful sense of movement.

Photography – Chloe Martin Photography

bride groom wedding on beach in cornwall uk boho dip dye wedding dress

Sunset dipdye dres for Nicola Two of my favourite things in one commission! I made a modern bespoke wedding dress for Nicola in stretch crepe and chantilly lace. The slim fit fishtail tail skirt has a lower section made in full circle cut tulle. I cut and sewed three layers of soft tulle which I coloured with my famous dipdye spray technique.

Photography – Thomas Frost

Santorini greek grecian sky sea bright cerulean Blue Dipdye Wedding Dress for mature bride

I made this Santorini Blue ombre bespoke wedding dress for lovely mature bride Lisa. We perfected the particular shade of blue she wanted to reflect the popular colour for roofs in the sunlit Mediterranean town of Santorini. I used a wet-dye technique for this dress. Meaning big vats of hot liquid dye and dip-dyeing the prepared skirt panels before they were sewn into her made to measure dress.

Photography – Photocreations

snowflake fire bride ombre wedding dress

This is the Phoenix dipdye dress. The very first one I coloured using the spray technique. I made it for an autumn themed photoshoot called ‘Frost on the leaves’. I make this dress to order in your size. Enquire direct or head to my Etsy shop for current pricing.

Photography:JessicaJillPartridge,

For this bride, I created a Chinese fusion wedding dress with red dip dye. The result was a bold and beautiful bridal look, with lots of eye-catching details.

Photography – Belle Photo Journey

felicity westmacott bespoke custom wedding dress maker seamstress uk sussex surrey

My woodland wedding dress included a dipdye layer in shades of yellow green and gold. The mix and match ensemble included a satin dress, dipdye skirt and a tulle over dress with wildflower embroidery and ethereal sleeves. All these elements are for sale in my Etsy shop. I can make them for you bespoke to order, or the photoshoots samples are still available at a reduced price.

Photography Lucy King Photography

I designed a simple sleeveless ivory tea-length gown. Tea-length dresses, finishing below the knee, were a really popular feature of 1940s and 50s fashion. This navy and pink dip dye overskirt is entirely removable, so you can keep it simple for the ceremony and then add a splash of colour to the first dance.

Photographer: Steve Mulvey

The Aurora dress is made of layers and layers of blush organza and ivory tulle, creating this beautiful silhouette. The bodice is covered in sparkling metallic lace, with a sweetheart neckline glittering with sequins and beading. Then there are the balloon sleeves, made of featherlight tulle. And finally, the dip dye skirt. Going from lightest pink, through cerise, into deep burgundy. What a stunning colour gradient.

Photographer – Magpie Eye Weddings

For this Northern lights ombre colour wedding dress, the bride, Sofz, wanted it to match the beautiful sunsets in Lapland, which was the main inspiration she sent me. We went for my ever-popular Phoenix colourway. The colours start from pale yellow, to bright buttercup, tangerine orange, blending into red, fuchsia, cerise and finally into purple. I think Sofz had a stroke of genius. These vibrant colours stand out perfectly against the pristine white of the snow.

Photography (Lapland) – Hylsy from Mikko

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felicity westmacott wearing a hat

Felicity Westmacott

I write about all aspects of weddings, dressmaking, fashion history, and the human relation to clothing. I welcome comments and debate.

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“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.”⁠
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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.⁠
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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.⁠
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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.⁠
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Photography - Birdseye 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
"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
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in
from design to completionbespoke wedding dressesFelicity Westmacott
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in