Wedding season is upon us. For guests, finding the frock most fitting for the occasion can be a puzzle. Fortunately, a profusion of dresses in tangerine, turquoise and hot-pink prints paraded down fashion runways for summer 2012, offering a welcome alternative to the still-practical-but-oh-so-predictable black cocktail dress.

Here, we’ve imagined four typical summer wedding scenarios – swanky black tie, destination beach bash, conservative country club and low-key backyard ceremony – and what to wear to each.

The beach