At Home Reception with Destination Wedding

So, my husband's cousin got married beginning of 2019. They had a destination wedding of about 20 people I think. When they got back they hosted a celebration of marriage where they invited other family and friends that could not attend the actual destination wedding. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if they were all invited or not to attend the destination wedding. I'm assuming they offered for them to join them if they would like?

For the celebration it was pretty much the same people and then maybe about another 10-15 more people. So, it was still a small celebration when they got back.

But I don't think I see anything wrong with doing a reception later because it's the same concept for what a lot of brides are doing where they get married (by having a VERY small wedding or eloping) and then having a celebration or doing a reception later.

I think it's always (pre-, during, and someday post-pandemic) better to have this type of party after the wedding rather than before. There's just so much less chance for hurt feelings or misunderstandings if you do it in that order.

We attended a reception like this for a family friend a few years ago before Covid stuff made two celebrations more common. They eloped on the beach somewhere and had a huge backyard reception later in the year and invited everyone that they would've invited to a wedding at home. They had a DJ, did cake, had a "first dance" and I think even did mother/son and father/daughter dances. No one thought it was weird at all. I would suggest waiting until after the wedding to have it. Having it before is like inviting people who aren't invited to the wedding to a large bachelor/ette party - they're being invited to wedding celebrations, but not the wedding itself. Having it after gives more of a vibe of "we understand you couldn't go overseas and we still want to celebrate with you so we will now."

I think having the party after you get married in Europe is best!! That way no one will get confused expecting a wedding invite, because you can make it really clear that you'll already be married!

I'd call it a "Celebration of Marriage" and you can definitely still wear your wedding dress and do a first dance if you want to! It would also be nice to share any pictures you have from your ceremony in Europe!!

If you decide you want to do it before you go, maybe just call it an engagement party? Also, I think its pretty common nowadays to not invite everyone to the ceremony overseas. I wouldn't be offended if that were the case!