Ceremony before wedding in U.S.

[KHnTX 4]

I have done a search on this and found that people don't recommend it. But has anyone actually done it? I ask because my fiancee's father was diagnosed with advanced stage two cancer in his sinus when he went to a doctor visit after he lost hearing in one ear. Needless to say this has added a lot of stress to her and her family. Her father would like for us to have a ceremony there after she has the visa while he is still able to. I have no problem doing this to accommodate her father's wishes but would like some real answers from people who have done it. If making sure she only refers to me as her fiance at the POE is the only issue I can't really see a reason not to do it.

Thanks.

[apple21 953]

Do the "ceremony" after the k1 visa has been issued and on-hand, to be at the safe side.

Do not sign any papers in relation to that "ceremony". Keep in mind that "ceremony" is only for show and NOT LEGALLY binding in any way, whatsoever. Make that clear to the parents and everyone who will show up.

Edited June 1, 2013 by apple21

[jajaju 33]

my cousin is doing exactly that. Ceremony in Australia in september, entering US on K1 and another wedding where it will be papers signed legally binding. Australian wedding will be bigger, full church production, but no official certificate. Why not! you should do it.

[apple21 953]

Don't apply for a marriage license.

Edited June 1, 2013 by apple21

[KHnTX 4]

Thanks for the replies. This helps.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Never do a legal ceremony when you have taken the K1 route. If EVER it comes up that you were legally married when you entered the US they can take away all immigration benefits that you have received and send you back home. The more and more countries share data the sooner this will come back to bite people that think they are pulling one off by going K1 then marrying before they leave.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I have done a search on this and found that people don't recommend it. But has anyone actually done it? I ask because my fiancee's father was diagnosed with advanced stage two cancer in his sinus when he went to a doctor visit after he lost hearing in one ear. Needless to say this has added a lot of stress to her and her family. Her father would like for us to have a ceremony there after she has the visa while he is still able to. I have no problem doing this to accommodate her father's wishes but would like some real answers from people who have done it. If making sure she only refers to me as her fiance at the POE is the only issue I can't really see a reason not to do it.

Thanks.

You may not find many that do a ceremony before because most try to avoid it like the plague for obvious reasons. With that said I truly understand the need ... and like so many others have said - DO NO PAPERWORK!! SIGN NOTHING! And for sure do not bring any pictures from that ceremony to the interview... NONE! And yes... fiancé only

All the Best!!

[KHnTX 4]

You may not find many that do a ceremony before because most try to avoid it like the plague for obvious reasons. With that said I truly understand the need ... and like so many others have said - DO NO PAPERWORK!! SIGN NOTHING! And for sure do not bring any pictures from that ceremony to the interview... NONE! And yes... fiancé only

All the Best!!

If we do the ceremony, but we are going to go ahead and plan for it, it won't happen till after the visa is in hand and she has her CFO done. I was already planning on flying there to stay with her and her family a few days after she had everything completed and fly back home with her.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Ceremony is a bad idea, that could come to bite you in the end.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

One post advocating visa fraud in violation of the Terms of Service has been removed.

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Moderator's hat off. Do not do any sort of official 'ceremony'. You can do a 'for show' mock, unofficial, unauthorized and non-legal ceremony for her father's benefit, but it will not be a wedding. You can consider it a 'dress rehearsal' for the wedding. If you care for this woman at all you will not expose her to the very real risk that getting married prior to entering the US and then entering on a K-1 and falsifying the information about the marriage will bring. There have been a number of threads posted in this forum in the past where individuals have done just that thing - and ended up being deported and banned for life. The US partner then has to make a choice between living outside of the US knowing that he/she will never be able to live in the US with their spouse or ending the relationship. There is no between ground. USCIS does not negotiate on this one - at all.

So, have an unofficial, non-legal, non-binding ceremony only for show and not for real in her home country, and have the real wedding in the US. Take a video of the real wedding and send it to her father. If you find out that the ceremony is indeed legal and binding, then you have negated the K-1 visa and she will not be allowed to use it to enter the US. If she does, then see the scenario at the end of paragraph one. Your only other option then is to refile for a CR-1 spousal visa - start the whole immigration process all over again from the beginning - but that is only if she has not used the K-1 to enter the US fraudulently.

i am sorry for coming across so strongly on this, but you really need to hear this. You cannot afford to risk your happiness at this stage of the game by doing something stupid like allowing or having your partner use a K-1 visa to enter the US when you are already married.

[Bugs 455]

We are not doing a ceremony, but will be having a "reception" type party for her family and friends before she comes here to marry me. We have called it an "engagement party". Perhaps you could do something like that instead?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

We are not doing a ceremony, but will be having a "reception" type party for her family and friends before she comes here to marry me. We have called it an "engagement party". Perhaps you could do something like that instead?

That would work, or just a despedida party, which is expected anyways.

[Hank_ 9,174]

If we do the ceremony, but we are going to go ahead and plan for it, it won't happen till after the visa is in hand and she has her CFO done. I was already planning on flying there to stay with her and her family a few days after she had everything completed and fly back home with her.

Just do not have an official do the "do you take this man/woman..."

Reality is any ceremony before you reach the USA can toss a clinger into the gears....

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.