Q. My wife and I are nearing an anniversary of
our wedding, which in our circle is usually marked by a champagne reception. We have many friends living locally whom we would like to invite. However, we feel that this is an occasion to which we must invite relatives. Our problem is that one of them cannot resist making himself the centre of attention and has embarrassed guests at such events as family weddings. How might we go about holding the party without him, even though he will almost certainly learn of it?
D.S., Beaconsfield, Bucks.
A. Do not issue printed invitations. Instead enlist the help of a sympathetic local friend who can ring all your relations and ask each one of them individually, telling them she is organising a surprise party for you. When this troublesome relation finds out about it and realises he has been excluded, you can then lay the blame at the door of the friend, saying, ‘Oh dear. I know what must have happened. She probably didn’t invite you because she has heard what a big personality you are and thought you might upstage us on our big day.’
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