Yay or Nay?

I am entrusting you with some fashion advice. Cute Summer dress or color crazy, spaz-ish tablecloth dress?
I should remind you I wear black. A lot of black. This much color is not normal for me, yet I gravitated towards the fluidity of this dress.
Okay, I clearly have invested too much time over this. Just help me out here, yes or no.

Friendship: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

What causes some friendships to work, and some not to? It's a tricky thing, to share wonderful memories with someone, and then not have them a part of your life later. I know life gets in the way, people move, some people aren't great at communicating and keeping in touch, people get busy with work, school, kids, and some with all of the above.
I have thought a lot about these things lately. Maybe it is because Nathan and I have been discussing our wedding party (we want an even number or bridesmaids/groomsman), maybe it's because one of my dearest friends is currently living abroad and is in a completely different time zone and we either speak early in the morning or late at night (yet we still speak almost every day), maybe it's because I have become annoyed with the lack of effort from other friends. There are some people I thought would always be there, until they are not.
Okay maybe this has more to do with sentimentality and loyalty than anything else. I like to think I am a loyal friend, unless of course I feel betrayed. I always give second chances, sometimes third and fourth chances if the friendship means that much to me.
In truth I have a special place in my heart for every person who has touched my life, and been an intricate part of my journey. I sometimes wish I could gather those people in my life and just let the memories and emotions flood the room and engulf my emotions and senses.
And now here I am examining these relationships, in a position to choose who will stand with me on one of the most important days of my life, getting married, and it makes me feel a bit frazzled to be honest.
My friendships now are far different than they were five years ago, or ten years ago. Yet my friendships now are easier. There are some that have longevity, some that have grown from mutual circumstance (but are treasured none the less), some that are still growing. I may not speak daily to all of these friends, or even weekly at some points, but they fall right in step, and there is no awkwardness in the absence.
So what would you do? Would you choose your bridesmaids based on history, or based on your current life and status? Opinions?