Asking to bring your friends along to a small party

I'm having a surprise birthday party for my boyfriend tomorrow night. I don't generally like throwing parties, I've never actually done it myself. I'm a little stressed about it. I've invited about 18 people, which to me is a lot to have in our apartment. Now someone has asked bring a couple with them. I feel impositioned and more stressed about the party.
Do I have to say yes? I feel I'm rude if I don't but isn't it a bit rude of them to ask to bring two people not just even one? I've said I need to look at my budget (I'm not working right now) to which he replied they'd pay their own way. What do I do?