All of the other party will be going and we all live in the same area. The engagement is where it is due to the bride's fiance's family. My family also told me it's more of a family thing (Vietnamese tea ceremony). None the less, I actually planned to go but the more I think about it the more I dread the long drive (I hate going more than 2-5 hours, I get anxious because a lot can happen in between driving from point A to point B for longer than that), even if getting carpooled.
I'm also already booked for a 2 week trip (late honeymoon) that is a 2 hour drive to the airport + 9 hour flight away from where I live, the week after her engagement and it makes me anxious to think of anything happening before my husband and I's honeymoon that was planned for a long time. Or that I'd be too exhausted and need a full weekend's rest / preparing before the long trip. If the engagement party was 1) not so far away or 2) I did not have a major trip soon afterwards ---- I would definitely go. The bride said it'd be fine if I don't go but I feel bad and that I would be the only one in the party not showing up.
