Hi Dave, Guests lists can be difficult;especially when you are restricted by the venue or budget. Now that you have both chosen your friends that's a good start. I think it is always a good idea to split the numbers you have left. Both of you now make a list of all the immediate and close family members you would like to invite and then again see how many spaces you have left. This is where you both compromise on the amount of spaces you have left; which I now imagine is a less percentage of the overall number of 100; take it from there. This way you both have the people you are important to you both and the spaces left can be filled between you for cousins etc. It is fair that you both get a chance to invite who you want to be there. I know you stated earlier that maybe it might be a good idea to say no cousins at all - but if one of you has a smaller family then they should be able to invite who they like. It is nobodys' fault that some people have large families and thers do not. Everyone realises that weddings are restricted in someway; it is only the circumstance that absolutely everyone can be invited when the venue is massive and could fit everyone in; and also there is an open ended budget. Remember both of you can compromise and work together here. I wish you good luck. MRS S

Dear Dave, You are not alone in your predicament, many wedding couples go through the same as you when trying to finalise guest lists. There has to be a comprimise, if you have the facility to have more than 100 guests for your evening reception, why not try cutting your day guests down to immediate family and friends, people who are truely involved in your life, people who you see on a regular basis and then have a really big evening reception with all of your cousins from both sides. If this is not an option then try to invite an equal number of friends and family from both sides explain to those not invited to your day that you do have a limited number of guests and that you don't want to upset people but to a certain degree have your hands tied, it is usually quite surprising, most people do tend to understand and not be to upset. As I have said many times before your wedding day is about you and your partner and should be a beautiful day for you both and that in a perfect world you would invite absolutely everybody whether you see them or not but life isn't always like that and the best route for you is to share your day with the people who are special to you both. Good Luck Dawn