If you’re a bride or a bridesmaid at a wedding this summer, the chances are you’ve had oodles of advice from relatives, friends, magazines and websites to help you decide what to wear. But what about wedding guests? With all eyes peeled on the wedding party during the big day, it’s easy for wedding guest fashion to be looked over. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an effort – here’s a few tips on how to look your best as a wedding guest, without showing up the bride.

First, remember the cardinal rule: don’t wear all-white. Once upon a time, it was frowned on for wedding guests to wear white in any shape or form. These days, a white dress with a dominant floral pattern is usually acceptable, as long as it looks nothing like a traditional wedding dress. Essentially, just use your common sense: and avoid white altogether if you think the bride is likely to be offended by its appearance on anyone except herself.

The same goes for black: before, black was reserved only for funerals and business meetings. Today, black is fairly common at wedding receptions, especially if they’re in the city or at night. If you choose black for your wedding guest outfit, go for something luxurious, like a maxi dress with a flowing skirt and jewelled or sequin details, to jazz it up a bit. Elsewhere on the colour chart, pastel pink, pale yellow and duck egg blue are great for daytime functions, while dark greens and purples will bestow an elegant vibe for evening receptions.

Next, remember you need to be comfortable, especially if the reception is likely to last all night. So don’t wear a fancy hat or a fascinator if it makes you feel awkward. If you’re planning to wear high heels, choose a height that you’re comfortable with: avoid 6-inch stilettos if they’re not something you’ve ever worn before, and opt for a moderate 3-inch platform heel instead. Wedges are also a good compromise: they’re much more comfortable than high heels and easier to walk on, but not as casual as flat shoes.

If the wedding is a casual one, a patterned bodycon dress or floral tea dress is a great option. These styles are flattering and laid back, but still sophisticated enough to be appropriate for a wedding. On the other hand, if it’s likely to be a grand affair, occasion dresses are the way to go. Choose a prom dress with a metallic sheen, or a maxi dress in a block colour. Printed maxi dresses are also an option, but it’s best to stick to muted colours or animal prints here as bright maxi dresses might leave you looking as though you’ve just wandered in from the beach. But of course, if you’ve been invited to a beach wedding, it’s a colourful patterned maxi dress all the way.

Jesse Wallace writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.