Yes, it is generally considered rude to invite people to your wedding and not send them an invitation to the reception. When you invite someone to your wedding, they typically expect to be part of the entire celebration, including the reception, which is a significant part of the event.
Sending separate invitations for the ceremony and reception may create the impression that you are treating some guests as more important than others or that you are trying to exclude certain guests from the main celebration. This can hurt feelings and lead to misunderstandings among your guests.
If you have budget constraints or limited space at the reception venue, it's better to keep the guest list for both the ceremony and the reception consistent. Alternatively, you could consider having a smaller, more intimate ceremony and then inviting a larger group of people to join in the reception festivities afterward.
It's essential to be thoughtful and considerate when planning your wedding and inviting guests to ensure that everyone feels valued and included in your special day. If there are specific circumstances that require you to limit the reception guest list, open communication and honesty with your guests can help them understand your situation better.