Hey , I'm so sorry you r going thru this. Not seeing you on mother's day bc mother in law more important. Nonsense . Sounds like the gf is a chip off old block of mom. Sounds like sons gf is a well....brat. idk best advice other than talk to your soon about how you'd like to be with him more , or make plans to take walks, lunches , etc things that don't break the bank. Invite son and gf or if gf doesn't come just son. Start to do all you can to make effort to be with son away from this so he can make sure it's what he wants . You are his mother , you deserve to be held high
7:35PM
Re: Do I have to visit all tables?
Also, you need to ditch the "anyone else who wants to see me can find me" thought. That isn't what the reception is about. It's not a party where 200 just bask in your presence and celebrate you in all your glory - the reception is about you "receiving" them for the first time as a married couple and providing hospitality and thanks for attending your ceremony. So hunting down each and every single one of them to personally receive them and thank them is not optional.
Reception lines are the easiest because 1) You know your aren't going to miss anyone as they are lined up, and 2) You stand as a barrier between them and food (and possibly booze) so people aren't as likely to linger and chit chat (especially when they see a long line of people behind them waiting for their turn).
Table visits are also possible - but as someone else said, it's easier if you have a coordinator to help you keep track and keep thing on schedule.
I'm the fuck out.
I still liked the route we chose more than the receiving line. The receiving line couldn't have really worked for us anyway the way the venue was set up, since cocktail hour was about 4ft away from the ceremony. It was just way more fun for us to catch up with everyone more naturally and made for good dancing breaks.
I say to each their own as long as you get to everyone at some point!