How Many Bridesmaids are too much?

Bride has 24 bridesmaids

{photo via bridalwave::special thanx*}

Bride Michelle O' Reilly couldn't bear to leave anyone out of her wedding and so she didn't: her wedding to Kevin Doherty featured 24 bridesmaids.
Her entire collection of nieces, friends' daughters and her own daughters joined the wedding party, making dress fittings, transport to the church and a bridesmaid pecking order a logistical nightmare, although Michelle's three daughters had the special task of holding the bride's train.
One of the most challenging decisions to make, when planning a wedding, can be deciding on the number of attendants that will share in the planning process with you during this special time. trying to decide at which level of cousins, neices, friends-of-family or sorority sisters will be the cut off point for inclusion, can be a ardous and painstaking decision. what do you think? How many bridesmaids is too many? how many bridesmaids are/were in your wedding party? what was your 'cut-off' criteria? share your comments with other brides...