We were on the porch when Linda brought out the wedding invitation for David and Emily. It seemed normal until we spotted the bizarre instruction: “LADIES — PLEASE WEAR WHITE. WEDDING DRESSES WELCOME!” We instantly suspected Emily’s mother, Dorothy, known for her dramatic attention-seeking, like wearing white to other weddings.

Calling David confirmed it: Dorothy planned to wear her own wedding dress to upstage Emily. But Emily brilliantly flipped the script, inviting all women to wear white or bridal gowns. “So when Dorothy shows up thinking she’s going to steal the spotlight… she’ll drown in it,” David explained. The guests enthusiastically embraced the plan.

The chapel was a sea of white as women arrived in wedding attire. Dorothy made her grand entrance in a blinding, rhinestone-covered gown, ready for her moment. She froze, horrified, seeing twenty-five other guests in white. Her fury peaked as Emily then entered, radiant and utterly unique in a stunning ruby red and gold gown.

Dorothy sat silently, her dress lost in the crowd, and left before the cake. The reception was jubilant, celebrating Emily’s clever victory. Emily hadn’t sought to win, she explained, just to ensure her day wasn’t lost. Her red dress was the perfect symbol: reclaiming her joy and refusing to let the spotlight be stolen.