Non-legal ceremony prior to leaving the UK...

[thatbritishlass 2]

Hi folks

I got approved for my K1 visa on Thursday (yay ) and our wedding is on November 27th.

Unfortunately at the weekend I had a change of circumstances. My dad is due to give me away at the wedding but at the weekend he collapsed at his 80th birthday party. He has a history of fainting and TIA (mini-stroke), so now I feel that I can't ask him to put his health at risk going on a 13 hour journey to Florida. I'm obviously devastated, but if something happened while he were in the US or on the plane I'd never forgive myself, and I want his health more than anything.

Therefore I've been rapidly putting together Plan B, which is for us to have a non-legally binding ceremony here in the UK in August, so my dad can still walk me down the aisle. Just close family and friends, in my dad's garden - nothing that will cause us to be legally binding but just a blessing or commitment ceremony of sorts. We always wanted to do that anyway but finances prohibited - now it's too important not to bite the bullet and pay for it.

However, there is one thing I need to check and that is - will having a non-legal ceremony interfere with my visa. I know it shouldn't technically, I just wondered if anyone's gotten into any trouble having had a blessing or commitment ceremony before using their K1.

Thanks for any advice

[J&N* 68]

I'm very sorry about your dad, I really hope he gets better.

I think it's totally fine if it's just like a big party or so, no documents or gov involved.

Are you going to get like a pastor/priest or so?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

As long as you're not legally married when you enter the US then it won't be a problem. This sort of thing is more likely to raise eyebrows at the interview than at the POE, and mostly only in countries where a cultural ceremony may be legally binding. You've already gotten past the interview. Unless you slip up and refer to your fiance as your "husband" at the POE, you won't have any problems. If you do slip up then you'll get a chance to see what the secondary inspection room looks like.