I like my family. I have no issues with my siblings or parents, and love all of them, and have done and still do work for all of them. That's how close and trusted I am with my family, and partially because I don't bullshit or politic. You really can't have a confidant who does either.

But when it comes to this specific issue, my opinion is that weddings aren't just about the bride and groom. They're communal, as is the "reception," which is generally held immediately after a wedding, and is called a "reception" because it's the first time the couple is received by the "community" as a couple.

When a couple leaves their home to get married somewhere else, and either doesn't invite others or makes the travel itself an obstacle, that sends the message that they don't care, and comes across as selfish — we have to have the wedding in Country X because it's about us, not the uninvited family.

Further, holding a party later and calling it a "reception" does not make it a reception whatsoever.

I got married in my parents backyard, and my reception was held there. My siblings weddings were very similarly held. So this whole situation just pissed me off tbh. Not gonna lie about it.