My sister had a vision of floral loveliness for her bridesmaids. A roses on cream, lace embellished, many layered skirt dream. When her "bridesmaid" packet for the gown arrived, it was with material and a pattern for the nearest seamstress to make the dress for you. Thank god for my mother in law and her sewing machine. This dreamy dress was something that beyond a shadow of a doubt could never curse a bridesmaid with overshadowing the bride. NO chance of that. We looked like chairs...and matching curtains, only MUCH warmer. Having this made, and wearing this was made much more wonderful since I had a baby 1 month prior to being the matron of honor and I was breastfeeding him with only a back zipper which made feedings during the daylong floral escapade especially fun. People in the bathroom love unzipping and zipping your dress for you, it's so chummy especially when you look like something out of "Springtime at Lawrence Welk". The wedding itself was divine and my sister shone as the radiant bride. So girls, it's not ALL about you. If the bride shines and you've said those magic words, "I'd love to be in the wedding." Get ready to polka in whatever she chooses. You can bet it's going to cost you and you probably won't wear it again.