Mary Killen Mary Killen

Your problems solved | 4 February 2016

Plus: How to stop neighbours interfering in puppy training; and letting a widower down gently

issue 06 February 2016

Q. My husband-to-be and I both work full time. We are getting married from his family HQ and his kind mother has effectively done all the planning. She’s done it all with superb taste and efficiency so I am loath to be critical about the one thing I don’t like. She has ordered laminated name badges for all the guests, to be handed to them as they arrive at the reception, and is adamant they must be worn. She says they will help the elderly guests, but these make up only a tiny percentage: most are in their twenties or thirties. Do you agree that name badges would give an unromantic corporate flavour to our wedding reception? How can we overrule her with tact?
— Name withheld, London SW10

A. Your concern is misguided. Parties go with a much greater swing when anxiety about who people are is removed. It is not only the elderly who have forgotten; the middle-aged are also grateful to be reminded.

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