When Linda and I received the wedding invitation from my old Coast Guard buddy, David, we were shocked. The RSVP card had an odd request: “Ladies — please wear white, wedding dresses welcome!” Linda blinked in disbelief. Everyone knows guests don’t wear white to a wedding. We called David immediately, assuming it had to be a mistake.

His tired sigh told me otherwise. “It’s Emily’s mom, Dorothy,” he said. “She plans to wear her old wedding dress to steal the spotlight.” Apparently, this wasn’t her first stunt. She’d already tried hijacking the bridal shower and trashing the venue choice. Emily, however, had come up with a brilliant plan: if every woman wore white, Dorothy wouldn’t stand out.

Word spread quickly. Linda was ecstatic to dust off her wedding dress. Group chats lit up with photos of gowns, veils, and elbow gloves. The plan was simple: let Dorothy think she was the star — then flood the room with white. But Emily had one more twist no one saw coming.

On the big day, Dorothy arrived in full glam: rhinestones, tiara, and a train fit for royalty. She strutted in, expecting gasps — and stopped cold. The chapel was already full of women in wedding gowns. Her face froze as realization hit: she’d been outmaneuvered.

Then Emily entered, stunning in a deep red and gold gown, glowing like a queen. Dorothy was silent the entire ceremony, shrinking under the weight of her own spotlight-stealing attempt.

At the reception, Emily raised her glass and smiled. She’d won — with grace, wit, and unforgettable style.