Traditionally, houses had two courtyards (though sometimes only one); one would host the reception of men and the other would be for private living use.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
In 1933, it hosted a reception for 400 when his grandfather married.
Times, Sunday Times
The couple then hosted a reception in a lakeside marquee.
Times, Sunday Times
They dream of hosting a reception in their garden and want a church wedding for me.
The Sun