This Glasgow mum was mother of the bride for two weddings in one year

We chat to Carole, a mother of the bride who dressed for two weddings in one year, finding modern, flattering mother of the bride outfits with the help of Mia Bella, a Glasgow occasionwear boutique. 

From a statement jumpsuit to an elegant beaded gown, the feature explores how personalised styling, expert alterations and thoughtful guidance helped her feel confident, comfortable and herself across two very different wedding days.

Finding occasionwear in Glasgow's Merchant City

When my elder daughter Nicole had to postpone her wedding by a year (because her fiancé, Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland, was called up to play for Scotland in the Euros last summer), I suddenly found myself planning for two big days in one year.

Nicole married at Seamill Hydro on 30th May 2025, and my younger daughter, Sophie, wed David at Lochgreen House on 20th September. Two weddings in just four months! 

I started looking for outfits last October. All I knew was that I didn’t want a frumpy two-piece or a wee dress-and-jacket combo that didn’t feel like me. I wanted something modern, flattering and comfortable – full-length if possible – that wouldn’t age me or stop me helping with the grandkids (Nicole has two wee ones, and I knew I’d be hands-on).

I’d heard great things about Mia Bella, in Glasgow’s Merchant City, so I booked myself in. 

Two weddings, two mother of the bride outfits 

From the moment I met stylists Elaine and Victoria and owner Christina, I felt completely at ease. They looked at my shape, listened to what I liked and, without any fuss, brought out a royal blue Couture-Club jumpsuit (8G145) with feather cuffs.

I tried it on and instantly loved it. I stepped into a few dresses for comparison, but I kept coming back to the jumpsuit. It just felt right – comfortable, striking and very me. 

We tried the jumpsuit with a hat, but I quickly realised it didn’t need one – the outfit was such a statement on its own. Christina suggested keeping my hair up with a subtle touch of sparkle, so I ordered a few blue clips online – they added just the right amount of detail. 

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Sophie’s wedding was having a black-and-white theme, so I initially planned to wear a white dress I’d bought for it. Even though I hadn’t got it from the boutique, Mia Bella altered the dress for me, which I thought was so kind.

But a week or two before the wedding, I tried it on again and realised it just wasn’t me. I went online to see if Mia Bella had any last-minute appointments, and almost immediately Elaine called when she spotted my name in the booking system. “Come in,” she said. “We’ll find you something perfect.” 

When I arrived, they already had a powder-pink Couture-Club beaded dress [9GK1] waiting for me to try, along with a matching hatinator with satin trim from Max & Ellie. It was love at first sight.

The colour was soft enough to blend in with Sophie’s theme, and the shape of the dress felt elegant and formal without being fussy. I told them I’d need a day to think about it, and I phoned first thing that Monday morning to say, “That’s the one.” 

A personalised mother of the bride shopping experience

I’m lucky that I don’t usually need much in the way of alterations (I’m 5ft7in, so things are often the right length), and that was the case here. The blue jumpsuit needed just a tiny hem and a small tweak at the back; the pink dress only required the shoulders to be lifted slightly.

For that second outfit, timing was tight: I said yes on Monday, Christina altered it, and I picked it up on Thursday for a Saturday wedding. Everything was handled calmly and efficiently – they really know their stuff.

What stood out most was how thoughtful the team were. They never made me feel rushed or pressured. When I’d first come in to try on outfits and was still thinking things through, they said, “If you want to have a look elsewhere, that’s absolutely fine.”

It was never a hard sell – it was about finding what genuinely suited me.

I’d already seen how beautifully my daughters were treated at Opus Couture when choosing their wedding dresses, and truthfully I hadn’t expected that same level of care as a mother of the bride – but that’s exactly what I got at Mia Bella.

From the warm welcome to the honest advice, they made me feel just as special as my girls had felt as brides. It turned something I thought might be stressful into a really enjoyable experience.

I’ve been back to the shop since, just to say thank you and drop off a wee gift. I even recommended Mia Bella to (my son-in-law) David’s mum, who also found her outfit there. She and I both looked and felt our best on the day, which says everything about the team’s expertise.

Wedding day outfits that felt confident, comfortable and modern

Both weddings were incredible. At Seamill Hydro for Nicole, the blue jumpsuit was perfect – elegant but easy to move in, ideal for chasing after my granddaughters.

The pink dress and wide-brim hat for Sophie’s Lochgreen celebration felt more formal and classic, which suited my role that day. 

Each outfit captured a different side of me, but both made me feel confident, comfortable and modern. Not only did I find two outfits I absolutely loved, I genuinely feel like I’ve made a few new friends for life.

Read our A-Z guide for mums looking for the perfect big day outfit

Inside this Glasgow occasionwear boutique

Mia Bella’s team are experts at dressing mothers of the marriers. Christina Sigerson, owner of the Glasgow occasionwear boutique, explains their approach to getting it right

“Our main goal at Mia Bella is to make customers feel at ease from the moment they walk through our doors,” says Christina. “We’ve found that many mums can feel nervous at the prospect of finding the outfit they’ll wear to their son or daughter’s wedding, so we always start with a chat about what they like, don’t like or want – and, just as importantly, why.

"We pride ourselves on listening and acting on what you want; it’s really that simple.”

Christina and her team of seasoned professionals believe every customer’s experience should be completely personal.

“We know that everyone is different. Tuning into each woman’s preferences and personality is the key. You only get one chance at the big day, so everything needs to feel just right.”

That philosophy shone through when Carole first visited the boutique.

“We knew right away from meeting Carole what she felt most comfortable in,” Christina recalls. “The royal blue Couture-Club 8G145 jumpsuit worked so well for her because she embraced the full-length style and carried it with such confidence.

"So when she came back ahead of Sophie’s wedding, a gown felt like a natural next step. The powder-pink Couture-Club 9GK1 beaded dress, paired with a Max & Ellie hatinator, was elegant and timeless – a look Carole absolutely rocked on the big day.”

Even with a tight turnaround, the team made sure everything went smoothly.

“Some mums might wince at the idea of finding a second outfit so close to the wedding,” Christina adds. “But once you know the styles that make you feel your best, it’s easy to change it up by way of colour, fabric, features and cut – and that was exactly the case for Carole.”

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