A reason to be always the bridesmaid at last

Ms. Burton did not seem shy about reproducing either — several fashion critics have pointed out that Pippa Middleton's dress resembled one that Cameron Diaz wore in 2010, also an Alexander McQueen.

Some of the swooning, though, was about Ms. Middleton herself, not the dress. "She wore it so well, so we said, 'We'll do that dress right away,' " said Andrew Hops, vice president for JS Collections.he timetable for this particular part of the bridal industry is critical. Sample dresses are sewn in about 48 hours, to ensure shipments of mass-produced versions to stores within about 12 weeks. "We want to get to market. The demand is now," Mr. Moradi said. His company, Faviana, is producing versions of both of the Middleton sisters' reception and ceremony dresses.

"Before she even walked down the red carpet, we were getting calls from customers and consumers," he said. "'When can we get it?' 'I have an event next month, can I have it then?' "

Getting the dresses into stores ahead of competitors, and the summer bridal market, also requires speedy production.