Fiskboso-
We are having an Intimate Wedding at Disney on 12/11 and are having our reception at home on 12/31. My FH and I will both be wearing our wedding attire (although I'll probably skip the veil, since I'm only wearing that for the ceremony, even in WDW) and the invitations invite our guests to our "reception."
There is always a lot of discussion about at-home receptions for destination brides about whether or not to call it a "reception," but for us, that's really what it is. Only a handful of family are coming to Florida and we won't see our other family until the reception, so it's not that different than if we had gotten married 3 hours ago at a private ceremony, rather than 3 weeks.
Although we're paying the bill, my parents are the hosts of the at-home reception (it's my 1st marriage, FH's second) and, as my parents, they are entitled to host my "reception" whenever and wherever they like. I've gotten some grief - mostly from destination brides on other sites - about calling it a reception, but that's really what it is. It's the first time we'll be introduced to anyone as husband and wife, our guests and families will see us in our wedding clothes, and it's a party thrown by my parents to "receive" us as newlyweds.
My opinion (and that's all it is!) is that if you're going to socialize with the same guests after your wedding but before your party, then it's really a party and not so much a "reception." If, however, you're going to see them as a married couple for the first time at the event, you're wearing your wedding clothes and your event includes traditional reception activities like cutting the cake, first and/or parent dances, etc. then it's a reception - even if it does not immediately follow your ceremony. I also think that it's important to make sure your guests know that they are being invited to a reception only so they are not disappointed. (Our invites state "to the wedding reception of their daughter Jennifer Ann and FH."
Sorry this is so long - as you can probably tell, there's been plenty of discussion around here on this topic!
Jennifer

12/11/06
Intimate
Wedding Pavillion/Commanders Terrace