Mother knows dressed | all the style inspiration from our May 2025 issue shoot
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Bold colour pops, delicate beading and fabulous feathers – welcome to the very latest mother of the bride and groom trends.
Nestled on the shores of Loch Feochan, just outside Oban, Knipoch House Hotel provides an idyllic setting for a true Scottish wedding.
This family-owned gem, lovingly renovated in 2024, beautifully blends modern touches with its historic charm.
Original features like wood panelling, stone walls and fireplaces have been carefully preserved, and it was the perfect backdrop to our mother-of-the-bride and groom photoshoot.
Get yourself comfortable and pore over the next 12 fabulous looks…
Model Julie Gemmel wears Veni Infantino ‘992406B’ A-line beaded tulle dress, decorated in lace and feather motifs on the sleeves and skirt. Available in blush or silver (£749) with matching hat (POA), both Catwalk Falkirk.
Model Valerie Coleman wears Veni Infantino ‘992439’ mint and ivory off the shoulder dress with contrasting lace detail and beading on the bodice featuring a free-flowing chiffon skirt and cinched belt (£689) with matching hat (POA), both Catwalk Falkirk.
Veni Infantino ‘992452’ modern fit and flare, high-low off the shoulder Mikado dress in coral and navy print, complete with fabulous bow back detail (£635) with matching hat (POA), both Catwalk Falkirk.
Veni Infantino ‘992420’ stunning dusty pink A-line crepe and beaded lace dress featuring a structured off the shoulder neckline with contrasting beaded skirt (POA) and matching hat (POA), both Catwalk Falkirk
Figure-flattering, floral fit-and-flair dress from the Olvi’s Lace collection teamed with headpiece with matching lace fabric bow (POA),
Frox of Falkirk. The boutique stocks an array of headpiece styles to match any of their outfits, offering you so much choice.
Elegant and stylish champagne fitted dress with overskirt from the Gabriela Sanchez collection with matching fabric headpiece by Snoxell & Gwyther (both POA), both Frox of Falkirk.
Carla Ruiz full length chiffon dress, perfect for a summer or destination wedding with its bright and bold print, with matching headpiece (both POA), both Frox of Falkirk.
Midi length nude dress with embellishments and plenty of sparkle from the Gill Harvey ‘Cavendish’ 2025 collection with matching headpiece (both POA), both Frox of Falkirk.
Couture Club long trouser suit in cobalt blue (£645) with cobalt and emerald Maddox fascinator to match (£140), both Bear Necessities.
Veni Infantino dress with dusky pink fitted bodice and lace full skirt (POA) with rose-coloured fascinator to match (£135), both Bear Necessities.
Couture Club long dress with bow shoulder detail in pistachio/lime (£615) with black Failsworth fascinator to match (£110), both Bear Necessities.
Alquema dress and long coat in foggy lavender (£485) with large wisteria-coloured hatinator to match (£175), both Bear Necessities.
Get the look
Our glam team for the shoot was comprised of Colleen of Colleen Davidson Artistry, who was in charge of our models Valerie and Julie’s gorgeous hairdos, and Caroline of Caroline Stewart MakeUp Artistry and Hair Stylist, who created these beautiful make-up looks.
Colleen got started on Julie, opting for a soft and pretty half-up look at first, with light volume at the crown and face-framing pieces.
“I used my standard sized curling tong to curl the hair away from the face, and used texture spray and volume powder to help create moveable hold for a style that was not sticky or stiff,” she says.
“The texture and movement in this style was then easily swept up in an effortless, modern version of a French twist.
“I think the key to creating a more modern updo is to not overthink the placement of the hair.
“Some tendrils and curls that are a little loose and not all pinned completely into the style makes it super-flattering and not at all stiff or severe.”
For Julie, Caroline wanted to create a glam look while keeping it soft at first.
She used a burgundy tone on the eyes with added eyeliner, coupled with a red/pink toned lipstick from Illamasqua.
Then she created a slightly heavier look later in the shoot, going for slightly deeper tones.
Working with Valerie, Colleen wanted a style inspired by a soft, glam wave.
“All the hair was curled in the same direction and brushed through to create the flowing waves, but without making them stiff and still being able to run the fingers through to keep it natural and not overdone.
“We then were able to move the hair around more easily to bring the style over the shoulder, and to allow it to suit a variety of headpieces.”
Colleen turned to some of her hero products for the shoot including Schwarzkopf Silhouette Super Hold Pumpspray, and Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS Soft Dust Hair Volume Powder.
For Valerie’s make-up Caroline again started with a soft glam look, concentrating on glowing skin and a classic eye look.
She says, “I used brighter toned Inglots blushers to really lift and brighten the skin.”
Then as the shoot progressed Caroline glammed up Valerie’s eyes with matte browns and used a pink tone from Charlotte Tilbury on her lips.
“I always carry Elizabeth Arden eight-hour cream to hydrate those lips,” she adds.
Insider tip
Caroline has some top advice for mums.
“A product I recommend for more mature skin is Laura Mercier hydrating primer,” she says.
“And use more matte tones on the eyes, although a little shimmer could be added, depending on how glam the mums are.”
Dream team
Hair | Colleen Davidson Artistry
Make-up | Caroline Stewart MakeUp Artistry and Hair Stylist
Models | Valerie Coleman and Julie Gemmell
Venue | Knipoch House Hotel
Contact Knipoch House directly to enquire about holding your wedding at this beautiful venue.
