Opinions Please - Wedding Planning...

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi everyone!

My fiance (USC) and I filed the I-129F back in July and we recieved our NOA1 on July 16th (although date on it is 10th July).

I would like to ask people how they are getting on with wedding planning - thats if you want the full shebang, not just to get married at City Hall or the equivalent. I know people will say, wait for the NOA2 before making wedding plans but that just not possible for us. Nothing would be available!

So, we have gone ahead anyway and have booked almost everything for the wedding so far and luckily, every vendor we have met is willing to be flexible should by ny chance, anything come up with our K1 application. Fingers crossed it won't.

I check on my timeline every day and since early July it has said Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between December 9, 2009 and December 19, 2009 or thereabouts. Sometimes earlier... Has everyone found this estimate spot on or a very rough guide to to how it turned out for them??

Also, what I would like to ask is, in your opinions, and judging by some of you with your vast experience on this site, do you think the chances of us making the wedding for the date of June 27th 2010 next year are good?

[Calypso 464]

Hello Russ and Rachel!

Check out this link for a possible little insight:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=212330

FAE

[Otto 83]

I check on my timeline every day and since early July it has said Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between December 9, 2009 and December 19, 2009 or thereabouts. Sometimes earlier... Has everyone found this estimate spot on or a very rough guide to to how it turned out for them?? Pretty close usually - they do tend to fluctuate at first but stabilize as you get closer to the actual/potential timeframe.

Also, what I would like to ask is, in your opinions, and judging by some of you with your vast experience on this site, do you think the chances of us making the wedding for the date of June 27th 2010 next year are good?

Ahh a June wedding...

In my opinion, I'd say you have a very good chance of making that June 2010 date a reality. HOWEVER - things can come up so be cautious if you're planning a big ceremony and/or having people fly in from around the globe. I'd hold off on the invitations until you have your interview scheduled (if it were me that is).

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Just a quick aside: you should consider the date printed on your NOA1 as the NOA1 Date, not the date it came in the mail. You may wish to adjust your timeline accordingly.

Edited August 21, 2009 by Stephen + Elisha

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Just a quick aside: you should consider the date printed on your NOA1 as the NOA1 Date, not the date it came in the mail. You may wish to adjust your timeline accordingly.

Ahhh thank you!!! Wow! That should hopefully get us closer by a few days at least! Lol Thank you!

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

I check on my timeline every day and since early July it has said Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between December 9, 2009 and December 19, 2009 or thereabouts. Sometimes earlier... Has everyone found this estimate spot on or a very rough guide to to how it turned out for them?? Pretty close usually - they do tend to fluctuate at first but stabilize as you get closer to the actual/potential timeframe.

Also, what I would like to ask is, in your opinions, and judging by some of you with your vast experience on this site, do you think the chances of us making the wedding for the date of June 27th 2010 next year are good?

Ahh a June wedding...

In my opinion, I'd say you have a very good chance of making that June 2010 date a reality. HOWEVER - things can come up so be cautious if you're planning a big ceremony and/or having people fly in from around the globe. I'd hold off on the invitations until you have your interview scheduled (if it were me that is).

Thank you Otto und Karin. Thanks for your input and opinions. You're always so helpful on here! I know with anything, there is always the chance of things coming up but I just wanted a general opinion from everyone about whether we would make our date or not, based on their experiences. You have to keep positive, eh? People will be flying in I'm afraid but only very close friends and we know them so well that I'm sure they'd be understanding if anything, god forbid, got cancelled. We be devastated too. I'm thinking we're gonna send out our invites after christmas. Hopefully we'll have our NOA2 by then. But Im keeping everyone in the loop in the meantime anyway

[minnew 4]

Duplicate post:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...edding+planning

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Duplicate post:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...edding+planning

If you look, that was me that started that post too. But that was right at the beginning of our visa journey and was more directed towards the financial side of our problems. Thats why I started this one - more general and we've come along way since then. Thanks anyway minnew

Edited August 21, 2009 by RUSSandRACHEL

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Just please keep in mind the time lines are estimates. The Consulate will tell you precisely not to make any plans that cannot be changed until you receive your visa.

[MRStee 19]

What we have decided to do is to get married at a wedding salon. Im just going to find a simple dress/ pants suit and invite bridal party and family. We will all then, go out to dinner. In Sept. 19, 2010, we will be renewing our vows and having the reception. 100 people. I have a lot of help with the ceremony. We are doing it at a firehouse (renewing vows and reception).

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Hi Russ and Rachel! (I'm guessing you're Rachel, the girls tend to be far more concerned about these things )

I know everyone tells you not to make any concrete wedding plans until you have your visa in hand, but a lot of people have done it, including myself. I filed the I-129F in October of last year and planned an August wedding. In hindsight, it could have turned out very bad but everything worked out perfectly! If you want a nice wedding its so difficult to plan everything in such a small window, especially if you don't want to pay a ridiculous amount of money. I think you're going about everything just fine. When I booked my vendors I made sure it would be easy for me to change dates if something happened, and I told all my friends and family members that the wedding date would be tentative until I received my visa, so to refrain from booking flights and hotels until they received confirmation from me. I also waited and sent out the invites after the visa was in my hand. As long as you are aware that anything can happen in this process, and you and your friends and family members are aware of the possibility things may need to be changed, I don't see a danger. With that said, you've given yourself an 11 month window, which seems rather safe. Good luck with everything! I bet it works out just fine.

[Allie and Nigel 2]

People also dont realize that they could be stuck at the NVC too...not too many people budget that in, that they just ASSUME they'll fly right through...and then they get stuck....so i donno, time lines are time lines but then well....you can get stuck too...

sorry but true...lol.

[endoftheroad 1]

People also dont realize that they could be stuck at the NVC too...not too many people budget that in, that they just ASSUME they'll fly right through...and then they get stuck....so i donno, time lines are time lines but then well....you can get stuck too...

sorry but true...lol.

Or not get the visa at all!

[bayojona3231 4]

Hi everyone!

My fiance (USC) and I filed the I-129F back in July and we recieved our NOA1 on July 16th (although date on it is 10th July).

I would like to ask people how they are getting on with wedding planning - thats if you want the full shebang, not just to get married at City Hall or the equivalent. I know people will say, wait for the NOA2 before making wedding plans but that just not possible for us. Nothing would be available!

So, we have gone ahead anyway and have booked almost everything for the wedding so far and luckily, every vendor we have met is willing to be flexible should by ny chance, anything come up with our K1 application. Fingers crossed it won't.

I check on my timeline every day and since early July it has said Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between December 9, 2009 and December 19, 2009 or thereabouts. Sometimes earlier... Has everyone found this estimate spot on or a very rough guide to to how it turned out for them??

Also, what I would like to ask is, in your opinions, and judging by some of you with your vast experience on this site, do you think the chances of us making the wedding for the date of June 27th 2010 next year are good?

As a Mathematician and an accountant, I would say that your chances of being in the USA before June is very good. Just pray for NO RFES. Good luck.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi everyone thank you for your replies!! I've replied to you individually!

Just please keep in mind the time lines are estimates. The Consulate will tell you precisely not to make any plans that cannot be changed until you receive your visa

Thank you Len, I know what they would say but unfortunately, thats not a practical option for us. I would much rather reschedule the wedding, rather than have nothing available to us and always regret not having the perfect wedding day. Neither of us have been married before and we really want a 'proper' wedding - no offence to anyone who wants a simpler ceremony - Thats just not what we have our hearts set on. We have done everything sensibly, including asking all vendors if they would reschedule in an emergency and I havent cut the date too close. I think that would be a small price to pay and at the most we would lose only a couple hundred dollars. Thank you for your advice though

What we have decided to do is to get married at a wedding salon. Im just going to find a simple dress/ pants suit and invite bridal party and family. We will all then, go out to dinner. In Sept. 19, 2010, we will be renewing our vows and having the reception. 100 people. I have a lot of help with the ceremony. We are doing it at a firehouse (renewing vows and reception)

Thank you mstee. Thats so nice to hear from people in the same boat. When are you planning your wedding for and how far along are you with your visa journey? We don't have as many people as you have attending, only 40 or so and only 10 of them at the most will be flying over from England. Some people have suggested we do things the way you are going to. My mom even suggested going to Vegas. To us, this one time will never be replaced. Even if we renew our vows, it will never be the same. Thats just my opinion. This is just the way we want to do it. It would be boring if everyone agreed to the same, I appreciate your input!! Good luck with your plans.

Hi Russ and Rachel! (I'm guessing you're Rachel, the girls tend to be far more concerned about these things )

I know everyone tells you not to make any concrete wedding plans until you have your visa in hand, but a lot of people have done it, including myself. I filed the I-129F in October of last year and planned an August wedding. In hindsight, it could have turned out very bad but everything worked out perfectly! If you want a nice wedding its so difficult to plan everything in such a small window, especially if you don't want to pay a ridiculous amount of money. I think you're going about everything just fine. When I booked my vendors I made sure it would be easy for me to change dates if something happened, and I told all my friends and family members that the wedding date would be tentative until I received my visa, so to refrain from booking flights and hotels until they received confirmation from me. I also waited and sent out the invites after the visa was in my hand. As long as you are aware that anything can happen in this process, and you and your friends and family members are aware of the possibility things may need to be changed, I don't see a danger. With that said, you've given yourself an 11 month window, which seems rather safe. Good luck with everything! I bet it works out just fine.

Hi Hugglebuggles! Cute name! Yes thats me, Rachel. Thats so great to hear. You even did it in one month less than me! Did you find it a close call? When did you actually make the trip over? I'm really hoping, the sooner I get the K1, the sooner I will come out here, get settled and tie up loose ends with the wedding. The way you went about planning sounds very sensible and I'm so glad it all worked out wonderfully or you. I think I will take your advice on informing people when I actually have the visa. If I got it in April, that would give them two months to get a flight, or in the worst situation give them a $50 fee to change flight dates.

It just seems that the general opinion on here is that you can either go through this long drawn out, difficult process to be together or have your dream wedding with the love of your life! We're not willing to settle for one or the other... You're an inspiration to us and we are keeping positive. I have been told on many occasion, that those who don't think positively bring negative situations onto themselves - not just with this but generally in life. We are determined to make the date, but saying that we're not stupid and we know the risks, however small. Thank you so much for your reply!! And congratulations!!

As a Mathematician and an accountant, I would say that your chances of being in the USA before June is very good. Just pray for NO RFES. Good luck.

Thank you for your support bayojona3231, thats what I wanted to hear. Mathematical chances! That really helps!!

Edited August 22, 2009 by RUSSandRACHEL