Wedding ceremony and reception

We talked about doing something very similar and our extended family and friends were very against this idea. They were hurt they wouldn't be invited to the actual wedding ceremony. Having already had my wedding there's no way I would've wanted to have planned two separate events. I guess my question to you is why do you want two separate events? I would think it would be more expensive and more stressful than just plan on event.

It was very common during Covid for couples to get get married in very small "micro ceremonies" and then have receptions when restrictions were lifted. It now seems like a trend, which I truly don't understand. I would much rather attend the legal ceremony than a party several months later. It's kind of like graduating in June but celebrating several months later as if an afterthought.

My fiancé's family lives in a different state. They aren't able to come to the wedding so we are going to them afterwards and celebrating with them then. I think it's great to have one event for family and then a separate one for friends. the dynamics would be totally different and sounds like a lot of fun.