Actually -I love all of my ladies and I really wish I could honor them by having all of them in the wedding! But that isn't practical nor reasonable and just plain selfish. Besides ... who would be sitting in the audience??
In the beginning, I got too excited about the whole process and asked them right away. However, despite my rash actions - I wanted to also send them a little something. I absolutely loved all the handmade cards that most ladies make but my energy level was a little sad and lacking. Enter Pier 1 and Swoozies to the rescue.
I decide to simply write them a note (on really cute Crane & Co cards) with all of my love and appreciation and attach to it a little gift. I must admit that the gift had a double meaning - and for that I was a little shamed. However - they were all well received.
For those that are curious - I gave them an aqua candle from Pier 1 that would help them choose the color of their dresses. They can buy whatever they want as long as it is cocktail length, no sleeves, and aqua-ish.
It is my wish to make the process not too expensive in being my lady ... therefore I thought to simply allow them to buy whatever dress they wish. Have you (as a bride or bridesmaid) done this and was it difficult? I am worried it might be hard to find a dress in the right color with the right requirements. I would love feedback to ease my mind. Maybe I am simply being too lazy and should find a reasonably priced dress for them....what think you?Read more!
The next day we decided to do our own thing and slept in until 1. It was amazing! After all the running around we were doing - we were more than happy to just sleep! 
We left for the Vatican around 3 and slipped into the Museum to check things out. Since it was close to closing time we were fortunate to not have as many tourist around. We climbed the Cupola and saw all of Rome that we could see -
then headed to St. Peter's Basilica. Finally they rang the bells and told us we needed to leave so we wandered into the courtyard of the Vatican. It was 7:00 and we were getting pretty hungry. 
J asked if I wanted to go throw coins in the fountain and then we would grab something to eat. It sounded like a wonderful plan to me! We walked over there and he handed me the coin container he had been carrying around all week. I shook it and informed him there was nothing in there. He said there should be 2 coins left - he checked that morning. I shook it again and shook my head...then decided to open it up and slid my finger in there only to touch cold metal. I gasped! He dropped to one knee and I just stared at him. He said all these beautiful things that I can't remember because I was so shocked and just pulled the ring out to look at it. It was beautiful .. absolutely beautiful...and so was he. He finally asked me to say something and I just said, "It doesn't fit." And we both started laughing and he got up and we had tears in our eyes. 
Life has a funny way of figuring itself out before you do...and we spent our last night engaged and enjoying some fine wine while we planned our future. 