The best way to write up a guest list for your wedding is to use the process of elimination. It can be a formidable task, especially when there is at least 6 different people who expect to have rights on deciding the final cut. It can seem like an idol contest where you, your partner and both sets of parents are all judges quibbling on the competing guests and advocating their right to stay in the game. With everyone backing their own particular favorites, it can be hard to be the tough judge. Try one of these methods to narrow down your search without stepping on too many toes along the way:

Guest Wish-List

Make a guest wish-list off all the people you and your partner would love to have at your wedding, get both of your parents to do the same. Then start to eliminate.

• Write and an A or B next to the person. 

• Separate the lists then do the same again. While people you haven't seen in years may still be important to you, it is time to be strict and compromise. Think about why you haven t kept in touch and how important they will still be to you in the near future.  

• Once you have and A and B list it could be an idea to think about inviting the A list to the ceremony and reception and then having a later party to celebrate with the B list. 

Having a very small ceremony and reception with only immediate friends is another way to avoid offence. 

A party upon arrival from your honeymoon can be another way to invite all your friends at a lower cost and be a great opportunity for them to still feel included. Remember to show off all your photos.

Budget Dictated Numbers

While there are loop holes to get more bang out of your buck, ultimately you have to create a list to match your budget. So try setting a budget first and a number count e.g. 100 guests. Divide this by you, your partner and your respective families and then come back with their final list. No doubt, they will exceed their allocated numbers but this is ok, there is always room for negotiation. Remember to try not to downscale your wedding too much to incorporate all the people you want there, its likely you will regret this on the day remember people do understand that weddings are expensive and if you haven t seen or spoken to them in a while they will understand if they aren t invited as long as you are honest and upfront.