Need help, HTB's aunt trying to invite cousins B/fs and G/Fs to wedding...to much $?

[LevineB113]

The other might my HBT's family was down for dinner. His aunt whome in general I love dearly had really gotten under my skin. He has 10 cousins between the ages of 18 and 30. One of the eldest, a girl is married. Two of the other oldest, both guys, are single but moved out of their parents. The 7 are either all in college, or are just about to go to college and all live with their parents. We understand that proper ettiquette states they should all have thier own invites and their own guest. However we found that this was a major place for us to cut back. The remaining 7 cousins are divided as such: 3-to one house hold; all of whome are 22+ YO, another 3-a second houshold all between 22 and 18. The third cousin is on the opposite side of HTB's family and has met the other cousins, but doesn't really know them. Some of those 7 cousins have b/f's or g/fs and some don't. However my HTB's aunt told us the other day that her one of her sons who is 22, can not attend as he will be at his college down in N.C. Her other 2 children (a 24 YO son and a 22YO daughter) both want to bring dates. Now we have hit our max. number of guests for which we wish to pay for. And we can not just say to those 2, ok bring your dates. So we either need to not allow any cousins to bring dates (which I am totally fine with), or we need to allow for the possiblity of all 7 bringing dates. This then increase our amount by $700. I like this aunt and her kids, but not really that much. What would you do? He has left the decision to me. My only thing I can think of would be like as soon as I have all the RSVP's and a final count I can see how much room may/maynot be left open. If there is room for 7 extras, then all the cousins can bring guests. If not then none of them can. Does this sound acceptable?

[Holder_Lottie]

I've discussed this matter with some of my aunts, uncles & cousins. We are actually at room capacity - - Thankfully all are understanding that we are inviting the college age & younger cousins without a guest. And nobody has a problem with it.I explained it simply that if anyone gets crabby about the "& guest" that we won't be able to invite ANY of the cousins because we just make the capacity of the room with them alone.I realize etiquette may say that you are supposed to invite everyone over 18 (aka 'adult') with a guest, but the etiquette book isn't paying for them or having to fit them into a room and I think if people are told up-front then they can make an informed decision to attend or decline.

[Perkins_Gloria]

You don't have the cousin bring a date unless they are married or have a significant other (meaning almost married). If they are casual daters, or don't have a bf/gf (no matter how old they may be) then you don't give them the opportunity to bring another guest to your wedding.They will know enough people at the wedding (their relatives) to have a good time and be comfortable.There is no rule that says all single people should bring a date to a wedding.