Remember that game you'd play as a kid, the one where you'd write down the names of everyone you knew and then total them up? Well, drawing up your guest list is a lot like that: a fun exercise in listing the names of past and present friends and favorite family members. Except this time, every one of those people is going to cost you in catering and other wedding-day bills. And will they all fit into that intimate little chapel youve booked?

If your friends-and-family tree has grown into a multitrunked monster, its time to put on the gloves and start pruning. Of course you don't want to cut great-uncle Marvin or your former officemate Melba, but you have to face facts--and facts say your 200 prospective guests wont fit into your 120-capacity reception room.

To reduce the roll call, start by reviewing your relations. Immediate family members are a given. Youll also want to include aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, or any other relative with whom you have a close relationship. Not making the grade: that aunt of your mothers whom youve never met (unless her inclusion is very important to Mum), those second cousins who don't return your calls, and anyone else with whom you rarely associate. Transfer them to the wedding announcement list.

Then move on to friends and associates. Old school pals rarely make the cut unless you've kept in close touch; coworkers you don't normally socialize with also get the strike through. Business associates, unless they're also friends, are an easy trim. So are dates for your single friends, unless they're in a longstanding relationship. And you can specify no children without coming across as an ogre (though there's usually someone who'll protest, so be ready to put your foot down).

Some sticky negotiations may come into play if parents or in-laws are footing the bill. They may wish to invite friends of theirs whom you've never met, or distant relations whose attendance, for whatever reason, is deemed essential. Asterisk these people and be prepared to propose cutting them when it comes time to review the overall costs. If the parents are willing to pay--and there's room--then let them invite away. You can also consider these and other uncertain choices as alternates to take the place of those guests who RSVP in the negative.

If you find yourself agonizing over who's for the chop, remind yourself that your decisions are strictly logical--you have only so much room, and so much budget. If they're any kind of friend, they'll get over it.

- Lisa Costantino, Amazon.com Wedding Expert