DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I are having an outdoor cocktail party. Since it is outdoors, would it be acceptable to have people enter through our yard gate instead of going through the house, then into the yard?

We will have people welcome guests as they walk up to the house and show them where to go. We will be using our guest house’s bathroom for the party, so there’s no reason for anyone to enter the main house.

I tend to be a very private person; I do not enjoy taking people on tours of my home, nor do I ask others to give me a tour of theirs. In the past, I have found people roaming through my house and trying to open various doors.

Would it be impolite to have people enter through the yard gate? Could you offer some wording if anyone asks for a tour?

GENTLE READER: You may have people enter your party from under the fence for all Miss Manners cares. Just declare the entrance clearly in your invitation: “Please enter through the yard gate.”

But having people direct your guests away from the house is a good idea, as are signs in case those people have to leave their posts. As for what to say when asked for a tour? “We are just enjoying the outdoors today.”

Or lock your doors. And then hope that it does not rain.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.