Etiquette

I think that is common these days to do a small ceremony with the large reception later. Sometimes it is due to venue size or maybe the nerves of the couple.

Hi Chyann, I have noticed during these times this is very common. If I was a guest for a reception only at a later time, I would not think it was rude at all and totally understand ❤️

We did some similar, back in 2017. We had a DW with 15 guests (mostly family). Then a local reception three months later. Loved celebrating twice!

What If I don’t space it out and do it the same day?

Those are more common now due to the pandemic! I see nothing wrong with it!

View Quoted Comment I think that sounds fine!
I know a few Mormons and it’s common that a lot of people can’t go into the temple for the ceremony so more people are at the reception than the wedding.

As long as you make it clear that the reception is a celebration and not call it a wedding on its own, negating the legal ceremony, you should be fine. Many people do not see these as polite because they feel the guests should be invited to both ceremony and reception, often citing that guests don't care about the ceremony or that the ceremony is too expensive when it is the reception that charges per person.

View Quoted Comment Small private family weddings, followed on same day by receptions open to the family who came, and all other friends and extended relatives, have always been proper etiquette, long before covid.

If the event is on the same day as is common, it is ok, not ideal, in special circumstances such as specific religious requirements that only allow a bride and groom and exclude others. A reception days or months later is where people tend to give side eye thinking the couple is attention seeking.

Emily Post 17th edition

All of the major etiquette sources have always said this is fine. Until recently a lot of people on WW usually raise objections that they want to be invited to a ceremony, and private weddings are rude. But they have always been a significant large number of marriages, and are fine.