The bride on stage? Who cares! How to rule the reception this wedding season

Dressing for a wedding is a tightrope. Most outfits are wrong for a number of reasons.

The most common mistake made is to be too conservative. We’ve all seen the ‘pale gray’ skirt suit – OK for the office, but not at all appropriate for a big day.

You want something special, not attention-grabbing, that shows you’ve made an effort. These rules keep you balanced on that tightrope…

1. Jumpsuits, suits and loose items abound, but a dress is always the best choice.

With one very important caveat: avoid short hemlines. Remember, you’ll be sitting for much of the day (meaning short gets incredibly short). In addition, designs that stop below the master are significantly more sophisticated.

Dress, £169, and Fascinator, £79, both hobbs.com; shoes, £375, thefoldlondon.com

Dress, £647.50, fenwick.co.uk; shoes, £195, camillaelphick.com; headband, £19.99, tkmaxx.com

2. Black is a very fashionable choice, but avoid it for weddings: it brings funeral vibes.

It’s fine on accessories though, see Karen Millen’s headband with veil.

Instead, take charge of the venue — romantic flowers for a country wedding, something more streamlined like Fenwick’s modern tie-dye is the best in town.

3. You don’t have to be limited by a jacket in warm weather, so go for something with volume, like ruffles.

Marks & Spencer has a floral V-neck midaxi dress in organza (£60, marksandspencer.com). Or a puffed sleeve like the Boden maxi.

4. If you want to cover up your arms, try Aspiga, which has an extensive selection of functional yet fashionable dresses.

5. Buy well and a dress is suitable for different occasions, so think about versatility: Cefinn’s geoprint design goes well with heels for a party and flats for work.

6. Never underestimate the time you spend at a wedding with shoes, so go for comfort. Try Camilla Elphick’s silver and gold design.

Dress, £144, boden.co.uk; shoes, £24.99, tkmaxx.com; wizard, £89, hobbs.com

Dress £315, neveandnoor.com; shoes, £139, mintvelvet.co.uk; hat, £200, heidiklein.com

Dress, £290, Cefinn at fenwick.co.uk; shoes, £375, thefoldlondon.com; hat, £155, johnlewis.com

Dress, £250, aspiga.com; shoes, £29.99, silkfred.com; hat, £16, marksandspencer.com

7. Don’t forget the hat. Headwear is frivolous and fun, and weddings are the best time to embrace it.

There are plenty of affordable options, such as Marks & Spencer’s eye-catching orange headband for £16.

Or push the boat out with a designer option like a wide-brimmed sun hat from Heidi Klein.