I think the "standard" is not to have more than 2 bridesmaids per 50 people at the wedding. For example, if you have 200 guests, than 4-8 bridesmaids. I don't know if that's always been the case, but that's what I've read.

I'm engaged now (see my new thread comming). I'm narrowing down from 7. 2 from when I was a little girl; 2 from my first college; 2 from my second; and my fiance's sister.

My girls will definately be paying their own ways because I'm in grad school and am not rich yet. When I was a bridesmaid for my roomie's wedding, her gift to us was to give $100 towards all of our dresses instead of a traditional gift. Since we were all undergrads it was much better for us.