Although weddings are becoming less traditional over the years, there are still certain customs that remain. Especially if you’re a guest, following standard wedding conventions will ensure that you don’t accidentally make a faux pas and steal the attention from the happy couple on their big day. As a guest, there aren’t too many guidelines to follow, but most of them relate to your outfit. We all know what not to wear to a wedding, and that’s white, but how about yellow?

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Speaking exclusively to Glam, Nikesha Tannehill Tyson, etiquette expert at the Swann School of Protocol in Shreveport, Louisiana, and author of Going Public, confirms that yellow is acceptable in most cases. “The wedding guests’ color or pattern choice shouldn’t be so striking that it overshadows the bride and groom,” Tyson explains. As long as your yellow doesn’t draw attention for some reason, as cutout dresses can at conservative weddings, it’s probably a safe choice. When choosing your shade of yellow, Tyson recommends keeping “the location and theme of the wedding” as well as the time of year in mind when choosing your color to avoid clashes.

The time of year can play a big role in how well your yellow wedding outfit goes over. According to Nikesha Tannehill Tyson, the best shade of yellow “depends on the season.” She adds that bold, bright colors are ideal for summer, so this is the time to rock sunflower or lemon yellow. “Dark, rich hues for fall,” she exclusively tells Glam. “Deep hues and textured fabrics for a winter wedding.” During those colder months, you could opt for gold and amber, butterscotch, canary yellow, and even mustard yellow.

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If you’ve fallen in love with yellow, be wary of the season when pastels dominate. “Be sure to avoid pale or very soft yellows, which can appear white in low lighting,” Tyson advises. Even though pale yellow is the ultimate no-color color, it could potentially cause a stir. Unless you’re confident that your pastel banana or butter yellow is sufficiently saturated to clearly not be mistaken for white or cream, it’s best to avoid it.

Luckily, yellow is generally a safe color for weddings, but Nikesha Tannehill Tyson advises checking with the couple if you’re unsure—remember that certain cultures may have different customs regarding wedding guest attire. There’s also the possibility that the wedding party will be wearing yellow, which would be a reason to avoid it. “It’s acceptable to ask the bride or groom, a member of the wedding party, or the wedding coordinator if you need a little guidance,” she exclusively tells Glam.

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If you don’t want to check with the relevant authorities, remember the golden rule: “Unless the invitation specifies all-white attire, you absolutely cannot use white, ivory or cream,” says Tyson. “White is still reserved for the bride.” While yellow should be safe, your outfit should help you blend in with the crowd—not make a scene, make a statement or offend anyone. “As a rule of thumb, if you’re questioning your color choice, maybe just go for something completely different,” suggests Tyson. “You may feel more confident and less likely to wonder if you made the right choice.”