FI parent's are generously helping us with some of the wedding expenses. FMIL drew up an initial guest list for their side and it was HUGE. In addition to FI's large extended family (who I was expecting to be included) FMIL's list included 56 of her friends. FI went back to her and asked her to cut her list down to a certain number.
Well after several months of FI asking, she cut the list down alright. But instead of trimming her friends that FI has never said 2 words to, she started playing games with the relatives list (most of the relatives are FFIL's). She took away the dates of FI's cousins who have been dating for 3+ years. Our families had agreed on inviting college age cousins, but she took off some college age cousins and not others (sure to start a fight with FI's relatives).
FI protested that she couldn't cut those people without being really rude. FMIL responded that she was cutting them from her list and if we want to invite them they have to come out of our head count, not hers. Argh!!
What should FI say to her now? I know FILs are contributing to the wedding and obviously get some say in the wedding, but my parents are giving more and inviting significantly fewer guests. I'm trying to be accomodating, but FMIL seems to view this more as a party for her friends than for FI and me.