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Tip Store: Weddings: The Dress

​Last Season’s Wedding Dress

If you're getting married always look at last season's dresses. Fashion doesn't change noticeably in one year, but the savings can be huge - I paid $750 for a dress, which cost about $3000 the year before.
​- Contributed by Christabel, Bentleigh, February 1st 2005

​Wedding Dresses

Approximate $ Savings: over $1000

I was looking around at wedding dresses in catalogues and shops etc and found the prices out of my price range so I started looking in the weekend shopper of the Brisbane Courier Mail and found a perfect dress, worn once, bought brand new for just $150. The owner also included the dress box, worth $30, for free. It does take a bit of time to research the areas/dresses and prices but its well worth it when you are getting married with a tight budget....I'd recommend to anyone organising their own wedding to start with the local papers first, before paying retail.
​- Contributed by Lisa, Parkinson, 20th March 2007

​Professional Dyeing Saves the Day

​When our daughter married 5 years ago, she bought the most gorgeous dress in a colour called 'blush'. She wanted a veil in the same colour to match, and the bridal shop said they could dye it for her. I was very doubtful and nervous, but it came out a perfect match. Ask a specialist dry cleaner who often offer these services, or a bridal shop. Also, Google it and see what you come up with. Good luck! - Contributed by Sandy, Doonside, 16th August 2007

​DIY Dyeing Not Always the Frugal Option

Before thinking about dyeing the dress weigh it, and check the label of a good quality dye, as you may be horrified at the cost, it's not always an inexpensive option, and hard to guess what the end result will look like. Different fabrics have different results, a trial patch taken from a seam will only give you an approximation. A large garment will need a VERY large container to give you a similar result and crowding can cause streaking and patchiness. I have had success with spraying flower dye on from a distance, a soft misty, graduated effect, but may not be what you want for a wedding dress (check out florists supplies in the yellow pages if you need this, and try it on something else first, it requires a steady hand and a good eye!). An overlay in chiffon, lace or tulle may be a less expensive and more attractive option. Maybe an e-Bay resell and buying another dress would be the easiest, bridal hire dresses are sold from time to time, and I've seen beautiful ones go for as little as $100-200, so its an option worth checking out. Best Wishes!!
​- Contributed by Coral, Coorparoo, 16th August 2007

​Coffee or Tea Will Do The Job

I would try dyeing it in a coffee or tea solution if the fabric is washable. You can start off with a weak solution of either coffee or tea and keep making the solution stronger and stronger by adding more coffee or tea until you have the desired colour - allow for it to be lighter when it dries. Try using this dying method on a piece of white similar fabric to get an idea of the colour and whether or not you will like it first.
​- Contributed by Trish, Mosman, 16th August 2007

​Dyeing Only for Cotton Fabrics

When I used to dance in concerts we had to get skin colour (cream for me) undergarments but where I lived you were flat out finding any colour let alone cream or off white (small mining town in the middle of the dessert). One of the ladies told me if my undergarments were cotton or non-satin I could soak them in either tea for a light cream or coffee for a darker cream. This probably won't help if your dress is a satin or has a sheen finish. There are also those dye tablets you can get which go through your clothes in a wash cycle. Another option could be go to a dry cleaner and ask for suggestions on how to change the colour. You never know.
​- Contributed by Amanda, Gladstone, 16th August 2007

​Tea for Taupe

If the dress is washable, and you want a taupe colour, simply soak the dress in a warm bath and add some tea bags. The number of bags and length of length of time to soak would depend on how dark a colour you want. Just remove the dress and rinse it out when you have achieved the desired depth of colour.
​- Contributed by Deborah, Allambie Heights, 16th August 2007

​Tea or Coffee Dyeing

Tea or Coffee dyeing may be the answer. Test a swatch of fabric with tea/coffee made as normal (no milk of course!!) - the longer the fabric soaks the deeper the colour. Also colour is deeper when fabric is wet. Sister in law dyed her deb dress this way for her wedding and the colour was great.
​- Contributed by Louise, Waurn Ponds, 16th August 2007

​Tea Time

Soak the dress in luke warm black tea for a hour or so, agitate every now and then to be cure the tea penetrates all the crevices.
​- Contributed by Maureen, Crows Nest, 16th August 2007

​Get Professional Help

I had the same problem and took my dress to a drycleaner and they dyed it the champagne colour I wanted. I wouldn't attempt to do a "home dye" job as your dress is probably made of very expensive material.
​- Contributed by Glenda, Doolandella, 16th August 2007

​Tea Bags, Coffee Grinds or Commercial Products

As a patchworker we use tea bags or coffee grinds to dye material. You can also buy special "Procein Dyes" to dye your own fabric. I hope this helps.
​ - Contributed by Olivia, Yarrawonga, 17th August 2007

​Cullachange

I don't know if this helps but there is a company called Cullachange that specialises in dying just about everything. If you have access to the Internet go to www.cullachange.com.au. They're in NSW and they have a problems phone line and could probably advise you as to whether you could dye the dress or not. (I think they also do it for you if you want a professional job since it is your wedding dress). I haven't used them myself but I saw them on TV ages ago.
- Contributed by Phillippa, Perth, 18th August 2007
​ Website: www.cullachange.com.au

​Tea Dyeing Instructions

I have often dyed white material with tea or coffee depending on the shade. It's easy. Make up the tea or coffee and dip a small piece cut from the dress (from where it won't be obvious). Start off with a light coloured liquid and make it stronger till you get the desired shade. Next place the garment in the dye (tea or coffee). Probably a bath would be the best place to do this. Gently squeeze the dye through garment and leave it till the desired shade it seen. Drip-dry in a shady, breezy place till dry. Even if the garment is dry-clean only the process could still be done but ever so gently. PS Always try a test piece even if you don't feel like doing it as it could be the difference between a nice wedding dress and a ruined one.
​- Contributed by Hannah, Springfield Lakes, 19th August 2007

​Negotiating on Wedding Dress

Approximate $ Savings: $700

After trying on my wedding dress (and before looking at the price tag!) I loved it but the $1500 price tag was just too much. I told the staff I was on a budget of $1000 including shoes and accessories and I was able to get it for $800.
​- Contributed by Shelley, Mundingburra, 4th September 2007

​Strong Tea Makes a Great Dye

When I married, a friend gave me her veil to use, which was white, however my dress was more ivory in colour. Someone suggested using tea to dye it to a shade to match. I am sure the same process would work for a dress. I made up a strong pot of tea using tea bags, poured it into the (very clean) laundry tub and soaked the veil in the tea. (Make sure the tea has cooled to warm so as not to shrink the material). I kept checking on it and stirring the fabric to ensure even coverage until the fabric reach the desired colour I was seeking. Err on the side of caution if you aren't quite sure you have the desired shade - you can always do the process a second time if need be. I would suggest that you might need to do a fuller dress in a bathtub. Once dry, no one will be any the wiser!
​- Contributed by Kym, Beeliar, 27th September 2007

​Save $1300 on a Wedding Dress

My future sister-in-law went on eBay to look for a wedding dress. She got a new one made to her size for $89.00AU plus (because she couldn't wait) another $90 for postage. We saw one similar in a shop that cost $1500 and hers was much nicer. The dresses come from China but are absolutely beautiful and fantastic.
​- Contributed by Kathy, 3rd August 2005

​Save $1500 on Your Wedding Gown

I've saved over $1500 on my wedding dress by ordering through an ebay store: http://stores.ebay.com.au/Classygowns_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm My dress with shawl and veil will cost me around $500, whereas a similar one I tried on in a store was over $1800 for the dress alone. It is worth looking online, especially eBay, to find the dress of your dreams within your budget.
​- Contributed by Melissa, 4th October 2005

​Pre-Loved Dresses as Good as New

If you're like me and find it abhorrent to spend thousands on a dress you will never put on again... St Vincent de Paul have absolutely stunning gowns (bridesmaids, mother of bride, and even wedding dresses) that come up and the prices are pretty awesome. In our area (Ryde) they are all at the North Ryde store, they have a whole section, and they just need a dry clean (if that!). They are no different to buying in a preloved boutique. You can have beading added, or a spray of flowers, or a new veil, whatever, to make the dress uniquely yours. And gasp - make your wedding day a weekday. Every wedding venue is cheaper on a weekday because they're empty! Do a deal and get ready to haggle. Give your guests three months' notice so they have no excuse not to get that day off work. Or a week night in a park (save on the venue! just check with council for bookings). There is no rule to say you cannot have a lovely 7pm service in summer - there is enough light for a lovely twilight photo shoot afterwards too.
​- Contributed by Shannon, Ryde, 24th November 2005

​Trainee Dry Cleaner Does Budget Cleaning Job

When I was married I was advised to look up Dry Cleaning training schools in my local area (I found one attached to the TAFE section of RMIT)... similarly to any training college, there are services offered at a fraction of regular retail prices to allow students to practice. I cannot remember the exact price paid (it was some years ago now), but know that it was under $60.. and my dress was returned cleaned, wrapped in the special acid free tissue and in packed in a large cardboard box.
​- Contributed by Meredith, Aberfeldie, 30th July 2009

​Handwash Your Wedding Dress and Save

You would not believe how many drycleaners wash wedding dresses as some with beads etc can't go in the Per. Use pure yellow velvet soap and a toothbrush to go over stains on hem lines etc. Hand wash gently in the bath in tepid water without wringing out, just dunking then rinse with clean water and drip dry. If when dry ironing is needed on satin, iron inside out. Lace should not need ironing.
​- Contributed by Jenny, Koo Wee Rup, 30th July 2009

​Mum to the Rescue - A Wedding Dress Wash Success

When my Sister-in-Law was married, the train on her wedding gown became really grubby. My Mother-in-Law hung the dress on the clothesline and made up a strong solution of Napisan and water in a spray bottle. She then sprayed this onto the soiled areas, left it for about 15 minutes, then hosed the Napisan solution off the dress with the hose on a slow setting and left the gown to drip dry. I was actually amazed at how clean the dress came up. If the soiled areas are particularly bad, you may need to do this a second time. This method was recommended to my Mother-in-law by a dressmaker. Good Luck!
​- Contributed by Bec, Laidley, 30th July 2009

​Wash Wedding Dress in Nappy Soaker for a Great Result

My wedding dress was filthy!! We got married on the farm during a drought, red dust does not work with white satin. My dress was a heavy white satin with beading and while I was on my honeymoon my mum washed it in cold water with Napisan in the bath. It came up like new. I thought she had had it cleaned professionally.
​- Contributed by Emma, Queanbeyan, 30th July 2009

​Handwash Removes All Traces of an Outdoor Wedding

I had a problem with my wedding dress and was shocked at the price of dry cleaning my wedding dress. My mum suggested to wash it by hand in the bath tub with sun light soap. It came up a treat. My dress was very dirty (mainly the train) as we had an outdoor wedding. I had lace capped sleeves and Swarovski crystals on my dress and the sunlight soap did not affect them at all. I would suggest you have a very good hook in the roof where you are going to hang it to dry as my dress was very heavy when wet. I also sold my dress on consignment at a wedding shop and I got half the money back that I paid. I do hope this helps.
​-Contributed by Roxanne, Stanthorpe, 1st August 2009

​Bathtub Wash Cleans Up Wedding Dress

I bought a beautiful satin ball gown at the op-shop and when I took it to be dry cleaned the man told me it was non dry cleanable and to try cleaning it myself. He suggested washing it in the bathtub using wool wash and Sard Wonder soap. There were only a few minor dirt stains along the hem. I followed his instructions, (I think I used cold to warm water) using the Sard soap especially on the stains and it came up perfectly! Just had to drip dry the dress and iron it on the cooler setting. Oh, and as soon as you say 'wedding dress' dry-cleaners have a party. If you don't want to DIY, get a different quote, call it a formal dress and see if you get a more reasonable quote!!
​- Contributed by Bernadette, Greensborough, 1st August 2009

​Wedding Dress? No, It's a Ball Gown!

I had a similar problem but because my dress was not a big full skirt, I was able to call it an evening/ball gown and then the price reduced to just $15. As soon as you attach the word wedding to anything, watch the price go through the roof.
​- Contributed by Rachael, Rivervale, 2nd August 2009

​Palmolive, Not Just For Dishes or Hands!

I washed my wedding dress with Palmolive dishwashing liquid for sensitive skin (the clear one) and any stains I scrubbed by hand with Sard Wonder soap. I didn't want to use anything with a colour in it for fear it could stain the dress. I had grease from meat I dropped on my dress (sloppy bride, I know!) and it came out no problem.
​- Contributed by Robyn Louise, Miners Rest, 3rd August 2009

​Name Change Saves $128

I put the skirt section of my wedding dress in for dry-cleaning as an 'evening skirt', and was charged normal skirt prices $22, instead of wedding dress price $150! They cleaned it beautifully. Perhaps you could put your jacket in separately.
​- Contributed by Liz, Graceville, 4th August 2009