Can i get married first then have a celebration later? how would that work?

Some people have been talking about the later celebration. Some people get married ahead of schedule to reduce stress or because of stuff like taxes. If you do that, it is best to let people know that it is a later celebration subsequent to your actual marriage.

Your situation makes me wonder if anyone has done a minimal wedding ceremony (maybe in a large living room area) and, perhaps, a reception at a restaurant where people just pay their own meals. A small crowd would make this sort of the elopement that means a small gathering instead of just the two of you going off somewhere.

So, one option, in answer to your question, is that you could do an anniversary celebration with more people. I think it gets to be less exciting if this goes beyond a year. There was a couple here who did a big 25th anniversary celebration because they originally couldn't do a big wedding.

Some people opt to do vow renewals later on down the line.

A LOT of Covid brides had elopements/minimonies and then a big reception later due to the pandemic because they had no other choice. That was an exception and I do agree with PP that it becomes "less exciting" to guests and you'll get fewer attendees if you hold a reception later on down the road. As a guest, I personally enjoy the wedding more than the reception.