Can i invite my best friends only to reception?

Hi, we are planning to get married next year, it will be very small wedding, maybe 10 people, as my fiance is very anxious socially. My firends know he does not go with me to any social events, I always go alone. To him getting married is very stressful, and even if I would love to invite my best friends, I know he does not want me to do that. So I was thinking and thinking, and thought, what about inviting them to a hen party and reception? Is that something which sounds ok? I am really heartbroken I cannot invite them, but I know it is not gonna happen, so I am trying to make everyone happy. As I said, wedding will be literally few people, so maybe it does not sound bad? How would you feel if your best friend did that?I am really looking forward to hear what you are all thinking, and maybe get some new ideas.