It's definitely great to find out that you're not the only one, thanks for this post!! I've been a bridesmaid twice and a maid of honour twice plus I have another close friend too. This certainly doesn't seem like many compared to 9 and 12...WOW!! I'm only having a maid of honour and 1 bridesmaid though and I'm having a hard time deciding who will be my bridesmaid which I suppose will depend on who can make it, right? I think it will be a bit hard to not hurt my friends feelings but I really like the idea of including them in other ways, especially with the dress shopping. I personally don't want to take everyone with me, I think it would be just too many opinions and I'm not sure I want to hear them all, lol! I think you would be very brave kellip17 to take 8 or 9 ladies dress shopping with you I'm sure now you've already went dress shopping...how did it go? Did you take all 9 ladies? Thanks again!