Ultimately, nothing decides how large your guest list can be more than your venue. But within those physical boundaries, you'll still have lots of questions to answer to form your guest list. Let's get down to basics and see what questions you'll want to ask yourselves to get to your final list.

What's your vision?

Are you agreed with your partner on an intimate close friends-only gathering, a huge outdoor bash with kegs and dancing, or maybe a 200-guest black-tie affair at a hotel? Agree on a dream and let that guide your numbers.

Who are your must-haves?

No matter if they are family or friends, who are the people you cannot imagine getting married without? Those are the first people to add to the list. That way when it comes to brass tacks of skimming the list, you know who gets priority.

Who are your hell-nos?

These are the ones who just don't make the list for whatever reason you decide: +1s, children, exes, estranged family, etc. Speak up during this phase of the planning so that you'll be on the same page with your partner during the inevitable cutting process.

What can you actually afford?

Be realistic about your budget. Even if you're having an economical potluck in the backyard, you'll still have to budget for things like rentals, flatware, favors, etc. Extra people can totally add to your bottom line, so match your budget to the size of your list carefully. If you need help estimating RSVPs, check this out.

To whom are you beholden?

This question often comes down to who is helping you pay for the wedding. These people will probably want to have some say in the guest list, so be aware of that before dividing up the list. If you're paying for it yourselves, you'll have a little more leeway, but still be mindful of those whose opinions are important to you.

How will you divide the invitations?

Once you've made your most basic decisions, it's time to divide and conquer the list itself. You'll want to decide how many spots you'll give to your partner's family, your family, and your shared friends. This is entirely up to you, as you may end up keeping the bulk of the list to yourselves. If you're totally not sure, an easy way is to split the list evenly between the two families, or a third to yours, a third to your partner's, and a third to your shared friends.

What's next?

What issues are you dealing with when forming your guest list?