There comes a time in every man’s life when summers become a seemingly endless succession of other people’s nuptials. If you haven’t reached that point yet, then rest assured: summer wedding season is coming. As is the constant deliberation over wedding attire.

Sometimes, in the case of stricter dress codes, there’s a right answer. Sometimes there’s no definitive right answer, but definitely a lot of wrong ones. And sometimes there’s a grey area the size of Greater London that you have to navigate blindly.

Don’t worry. If the invitation doesn’t tell you in as many words, then the other information therein – like location and time, of day and year – can give you a steer. As will this guide you to what to wear for every summer wedding you have lined up.

If there is any lawful impediment to the happy couple-to-be joining in holy matrimony, it won’t be your ungodly fashion crime.

5 Expert Summer Wedding Style Rules

Read (And Heed) The Invitation

These aren’t just pretty little pieces of paper. A wedding invitation is the first clue when it comes to pulling together an on-point look for the occasion. Make sure you pore over the details and check to see if the soon-to-be-wed couple has specified a dress code.

“The most important thing to bear in mind when attending a wedding is that you respect the dress code on the invitation,” says celebrity stylist Joe Ottaway. “I’d suggest erring on the smart side, too.” Mind this man’s words – his past credits include dressing the likes of David Gandy and Jude Law.

Review The Venue

No, not on TripAdvisor. Before deciding on what to wear to a wedding, it’s worth considering where it’s taking place.

“If it’s a beach ceremony in the Bahamas then a light-colored suit, white short-sleeved shirt and loafers worn sockless are ideal,” says style writer Miriam Bouteba. “Not so, however, if the nuptials are scheduled for Birmingham in May, where a darker look offering more coverage would serve you better.”