We're getting married on November 5th, 2015 and I want an opinion on having a reception a few days before the wedding. November 5th is a non-negotiable date for several reasons. We will be getting married at the local courthouse and then immediately catching a plane out of the country. But being so close to Halloween, we're thinking of having a themed party 5 days before the ceremony. Here's where it get's interesting. We're doing a Back to the Future themed party as the future part takes place in 2015. So, instead of a reception and engagement party staggered across the fall. I want to have once big party/reception prior to the ceremony. Very informal, costumed, decorated as "Enchantment Under the Sea", maybe make it a potluck, we'd supply booze and the fancy cake. Thoughts?