Inviting guests to evening reception, but not the ceremony or wedding breakfast.

That is completely acceptable. I’ve had invites to evening receptions only in the past.

If you feel uncomfortable doing that, then you could always tell people you are having a VERY small wedding due to budget constraints but want a bigger evening party. Most people would understand. X

I don't see this as a problem at all. We are having 40 for the wedding reception and inviting around 20 to 30 more for the evening reception.

We've also been to many weddings where we have only been invited in the evening.

Phrase it on the invitations saying

Please join us for the celebration of the marriage (or something similar)

On the bottom of the invitation put:

"Private ceremony to be held earlier in the day"

Having separate guestlists for day and evening is standard protocol, I wouldn't worry