Celebrations with relations expected to come first (7)
I believe the answer is:
parties
'celebrations' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'relations expected to come first' is the wordplay.
'relations' becomes 'ties' (tie can mean a link or relation).
'expected' becomes 'par' (as in 'par for the course').
'to come first' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'ties' after 'par' is 'PARTIES'.
'with' is the link.
(Other definitions for parties that I've seen before include "celebratory occasions" , "They may be thrown" , "Fun affairs for political groups" , "Celebrates" , "Social gatherings" .)