Weddings are a great occasion for everyone involved but as we all know it's all about the bride.
However, that's not much help when you come to choosing your own outfit as a guest on their big day.
Fortunately there are some great choices out there for those attending a summer wedding this year and here's some advice on how to choose the right one.
The best thing about a summer wedding is that there's more daylight to enjoy, so if you're going to be outdoors don't be afraid of colourful dresses that complement the flowers and gardens; turquoise and greens are particularly popular at the moment.
Meanwhile wedges are the perfect compromise between elegance and practicality as they'll keep your legs looking toned but won't sink into the grass during the ceremony.
Another top tip for a wedding that includes a lot of standing around is a cross-body or shoulder bag as it leaves your hands free for more important things such as a glass of wine and canapés.
If you are making a weekend of it and travelling with your dress make sure it is suitable for packing; anything that is lace based or embellished with sequences and beads is perfect as they are less likely to crease in your bag.
One of the biggest factors you'll have to consider when choosing your dress is the sort of wedding you have been invited to – if it is a big formal wedding you will most likely want an entirely different outfit than if it is a quaint intimate occasion. For the former you can't go wrong with a darker gown, even a black dress, when adorned with classy silver jewellery, can be a great choice for a wedding. Just make sure you accessorise with bright jewels and try to break up the black with a dress belt. Meanwhile for a less formal wedding a skirt and blouse or a colourful dinner suit might suffice. For the more relaxed affairs you can be much more adventurous with your colour schemes, and while pastel hues are a great safe option for the summer, why not go all out with a bright orange, red or blue skirt with a floral pattern? You could even get away with a lower heel or pump, as long as it matches your outfit.
Whatever style or wedding you're attending this summer, whether it is indoors, outdoors, formal or informal there are some great bargains at your local retailers and most bridal shops are a great source of advice not just for bridesmaid outfits but for general guests too.
