Only in America!

Anonymous wrote:I don't know. Since they are keeping it small to save money, it is possible that there aren't going to be a lot of wedding related activities. And then OP would be able to see the other relatives she wants to see during downtime and she and her kids can do something else during the actual wedding festivities. Since it is so small and OP's family is so big, presumably she isn't the only one not invited to the wedding.

+1

The last out of town wedding I went to, I didn't have anything else going on besides the wedding itself. The brides parents and sibs might be busy but others will probably be free.

Go and see your family! I don't see how it would be awkward. You already know you aren't invited and you're fine with it. I'm sure there will be plenty of time to see family before/after the wedding. You'ld really pass up seeing family from Japan just to avoid potentially feeling awkward? That's silly. Don't reach out to the bride, just tell your sister you're totally happy just to see everyone but that you don't expect to see the bride.

Can you tell everyone but the bride - so as to not put her is a strange position for her day?