They have been under the spotlight somewhat recently - it started with Pippa Middleton - in that dress - followed by the release of Bridesmaids last month.

Following suit, a study has now discovered that a drunken fling with a bridesmaid is the most likely time that a married man will stray.

Over 2,000 men and women were surveyed by top extra-marital dating site, Illicit Encounters with a third of men admitting that they have cheated on their partner at a wedding - when their other half wasn't there.

With the wedding season in full swing - from Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall this weekend to Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries this August - many will be too occupied with their nuptials to notice what goes on the behind the scenes.

But results show that 32 percent of men have cheated at a wedding, while only 27 percent had strayed at the stag party.

A spokeswoman for Illicit Encounters, Rosie Freeman-Jones said: 'There’s something about being a bridesmaid which is incredibly attractive to men.

'Maybe by wearing a bridesmaid outfit they are advertising the fact they are available and also at a wedding everyone is there to have a good time.'

Women were also asked which parties they thought provided the most convenient opportunity for their partner to cheat.

Responses show that they severely underestimate the wrongdoings that occur at marriage ceremonies with 37 percent replying that they felt most dubious of the Christmas party while only 11 percent cited the wedding as a potential pitfall.

Films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Wedding Crashers and American Pie: The Wedding have attempted to shed light on the lewd acts that go unnoticed on the big day.

Rosie Freeman-Jones adds: 'At a wedding all the elements are present for one-night stands to happen.

'Quite a bit of booze, dancing, people dressed to impress, an air of sexual electricity at the reception, and access to hotel rooms to meet in private.'

(Read by Renee Haines. Renee Haines is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)

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(Agencies)