AIBU to feel awkward about attending this wedding?

Same.

This.

Don’t overthink it.

‘Thanks for the invitation . Sorry we are unable to attend’

job done.

See I had no " family ' bond with my cousins. The eldest was born 23 years before me and the youngest on that side is 10 years older. Hardly playing together as kids

The other side the cousin below me is 8 years younger and they lives miles away. Think I pny set eyes on them twice in my life

This is so weird in my opinion, makes me feel like I've probably disappointed someone by making the effort to turn up!

I rarely see my cousins but it's always very relaxed when we do meet - being family and playing together as children forms a bond that lasts.

It’s quite normal to invite cousins to weddings. I don’t see that as odd at all. I went to all my cousins weddings.

If you don't want to go, don't go.

I think people decide a familial 'level' to keep things fair. Like, aunts and uncles/cousins/second cousins etc.

But you don't have to go if you don't want to.

Because it is wedding etiquette to invite family and if you weren’t invited then it looks bad on them

Sometimes it's nice to get the family all together...

Either go or don't go. Depends on the inconvenience of going.

It could be obligatory invite, it could be their spouse-to-be are very close to their cousins /have a much larger family and want to balance the sides.

But also it could be for their parents sake who want their DNs at their dcs wedding. It could be they see weddings as not just about them but also as a family event, that they’ve attended other people’s events within the family and view it as their turn. That perhaps while they don’t see you regularly they view family as important and so want to hold a family event, not just a party.

I hate weddings. Luckily, I often seem to have a holiday or some other committment coincidentally booked for the same day.

Just send your regrets and a gift and nobody will care.

Maybe they feel sad that there is less family “glue” now the grandparents are gone and would like to make sure that they keep in touch with you. You don’t have to be best buddies with cousins. I’d go.

It's a bit sad how many people assume it's just obligation. We invited all our cousins, regardless of how much we knew or saw them because we wanted to and it was a family occasion we wanted to share.

Wasn't at all offended when some declined either but the invitation was entirely genuine.

Because they feel obliged to. As PP said, they are probably hoping OP declines.

Obligation, simple as that probably. You aren’t close so just turn it down - less hassle for you and they don’t have to fork out - it’s a win/win

The older I get, the less I see my cousins. I was never that close (certainly not geographically) but we share family history and, for some reason, that means something.
Also I find my DC don't know my family dynamics from previous generations- sometimes I wish they knew more family.
Accept the invitation if you want to go. If you refuse, consider the next time you see your cousin may be a funeral and think if you retrospectively wish you'd shared a happy occasion with them.

My Dds invited wider family to their weddings without prompting or any obligation, maybe the op cousin is the same,

Maybe they are, maybe the couple genuinely want wider family there.

It's really pointless trying to second guess it and work out what the motivation for the invitation is.

OP should just go if she wants to, not if she doesn't and not give it any further thought than that.

Their parents are probably saying to them what your parents are saying to you- that it will look bad if they don’t invite you.

I would politely decline but also send a card and a gift voucher.

Just say you can't go.

It doesn't matter what your parents think about it, because you're a grown adult and it's not up to your parents to decide whether you attend a bloody wedding or not.

Do you like weddings? If so, go. Be a nice time to catch up with other family members maybe? If you don't want to go, then don't. Send a polite refusal, ask if they have a wedding present list and send a gift.

I never understand why people worry about these things! If you're not close and the whole thing will be a pain in the bum for you then it shouldn't be a worry.

Bizarre that people are attributing such negative motives to this.

Maybe they are doing it out of obligation
Maybe they want to build closer ties
Maybe they are doing it to please your parents
Maybe they are just being generous

Whatever the reason, its nice of them to invite you but its not obligatory to go. Go if you want, but they won’t be offended if you don’t go. No need for the overthinking.

Personally I would go on the basis that you rarely get opportunities to bring a whole extended family together and what is the downside?

Triple check the invite - they may have included you on your parents invite but may not be expecting your DH and DC.

It might be that they would like more of a relationship with you - and think wedding's are about family.