Reception before the wedding

My fiancee lives 2 hours away from me and we are having the whole wedding where i live both on the same day. most of his side is coming with the exception of the older people that can not drive that long and the usual decline reasons. i wouldn't worry about it and just do it in the same place on the same day. the whole point of the reception is to "receive" the married couple to celebrate that they are now married.

During my initial search my mom and family was surprised that I was looking for venues outside of the town I live in or their area. My mom never explicitly said she disapproved of me looking at venues in Chicago, just expressed concerns that a lot of my family wouldn't want to drive to/in the city. And that they wouldn't want to travel a long way at all. (Small town area). The venue in Chicago didn't work out, but we looked other places. I ended up choosing a place (that I love, it's beautiful) 2 hours from me, and a little over an hour from them. And I still get remarks here and there, like suggestions for where I could have had it (closer to them). At the end of the day though, it's your and your FH's wedding. Do what you think is reasonable, no more.

I would not have two large parties in two consecutive days. Way too exhausting, and way too much money. ETA: If you're paying for it yourselves. If your family is contributing, you might have to compromise.

2 hours isn't that far. I drive that on a daily basis. I wouldn't plan 2 receptions just because of a drive.