In one party, I'd love to have:

Edwin
Viconia
Minsc
Jaheira
Imoen

These are the only NPCs to make it from BG1 into BG2, and I think it would be kind of cool to use these NPCs through the entire saga.

I also know there is a problem getting Minsc and Edwin together in BG1 (Dynaheir). Is there a way around this issue?

Well, you could easily follow the Minsc path, get dynahier, then have her "Die courageously in battle" then boot her body from the group. Then, all you have to do is pick up Edwin. No muss, no fuss.

It can be done, though juggling the popularity rating could be a bit tough. Well, then the answer to that one is high charisma. Then you can get most people to stick around no matter what.

Or do the whole "Have Dynaheir play Heratio at the bridge" theory... :D

No problems in BG1, but IIRC, Edwin and Minsc are not best of buddies in BG2, and can have severe personality conflicts (the kind that only one walks away from.)

I think, as I previously mentioned, that a sufficient charisma can nullify or at least deter such conflagrations.

True Moose, I know there is a mod that stops NPC conflicts... but the name escapes me.

I think it is simply called Happy NPCs or something like that.

Part of the Ease-of-Use mod.

That was it!