Muddy boots mucking up church service

DEAR MISS MANNERS: This may be a silly question, but I’ll ask regardless: What is the protocol for wearing rain boots?

Our church parking lot can become muddy, and it makes sense to wear boots to combat the muck, but it doesn’t make sense to wear the mucky boots inside. I’ve often seen children wear their rain boots throughout the service, and I have seen the mess. Are you supposed to change shoes at the door, then carry your boots the rest of the service?

GENTLE READER: How many sets of footprints would that make? This feels like a parable — and if so, Miss Manners is likely out of her depth.

However, she suggests that you consult the parish — not just to answer the footprint question, but to see if something can be put in the newsletter about bringing a change of shoes on rainy days. And providing a boot tray for dirtied boots.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I have been invited to two weddings scheduled for the same date and time.

The venues are 15 minutes apart. The young people getting married are children of two couples who have been our close friends for more than 20 years. We truly want to attend both weddings and receptions.

Would it be appropriate to attend the ceremony of one wedding and the reception of the other? Should my husband attend both the wedding ceremony and reception of one couple, and I attend these events for the other? Or is it more considerate to accept the invitation to only one wedding?

GENTLE READER: Make both hosts aware of the predicament, and then divide yourselves and conquer, each of you attending one full wedding and reception.

Whoever is done first, hightail it over to the other reception — all with the hosts’ permission. Any true friends of 20 years will surely appreciate the predicament and be accommodating.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the proper protocol if one has politely declined an invitation, only to later find oneself able to attend due to the cancellation of the original obstacle? If it is a formal group gathering, is there a polite way to inquire whether one may still attend?

GENTLE READER: “We were so disappointed that Bucky’s award ceremony fell on the same evening as your party, but now it seems that it has been postponed. Of course, we understand if we have been replaced, but we would love to have you and Alistair over as soon as possible to hear all about the fun.”

Submit your etiquette questions to Miss Manners at dearmissmanners@gmail. com.