Weddingbee boards

I've been trying to find my BM dresses for a while and it's been kind of hard b/c:

1) I have one BM who is a size 18 and non-bridal store sizes (like J. Crew or Nordstroms) don't make dresses in her size

2) I'm trying to keep the cost less than $150/person (with alterations).  None of my girls really have a lot of spare money to spend and I don't want to burden them financially.

3) I really, really want teal dresses and it's been SO hard to find the dresses that I like in the exact color that I like.

I really want simple dresses that aren't 'bridesmaidy' and I found this dress on etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29968729

It's kind of perfect!  I convoed the owner of the shop and she said that she can make it in the exact color that I want and custom-fit them for each of the girls  (so they don't have to pay for alterations).  And she said she can customize them a little to make them different (which is something else that I wanted).   I think it sounds great (and I get to stick it to the wedding industry and support a local artist at the same time!) but my mom and sister are really skeptical about the whole thing b/c they don't think they'll be nice enough and don't trust it. 

I've only ordered jewelry from etsy, so I was wondering what other people thought.  Would you get your BM dresses from etsy? 

oops!  I posted the wrong link - this is the actual dress (even though I liked the one above too :o))

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26969360

@ fiftyfootbride - that's #2 on my list of etsy options!  I love that dress.... :o)

My mom suggested that - buying one as a sample and seeing what it looks like.  But it's kind of an expensive sample.... (I'm just a poor grad student).  We'll see if I can save some extra $$....