Setting a Date?

[Gina & Johann 0]

Has anyone else ran into the problem of where and when to have a wedding? I am from the States, and my fiance is from Trinidad. We work on cruise ships on 6 month contracts which complicates things a lot. What we have been discussing most recently is a date on when to have a wedding with family and friends, which we really want. We started our K-1 in April ... April 28th is when it is date stamped, so we are hoping to be approved by March (when our vacation is)! However, if we are not, we are still planning a "ceremony" of vow exchanges in March in Trinidad. Of course we have to legally get married in the States per the visa, but we are technically calling it a wedding, and then after we are approved, we will do it legal in the States. I feel as though this is a bit off for some reason! Is anyone else in a similar situation where you want to do a ceremony over seas first?

[Mew 0]

I guess everyone going through a K1 process goes through the problem of setting a date, as nobody knows when visa'll be approved or *if* it will.

Having a wedding ceremony that is *not* legally binding before getting the visa shouldn't pose as a problem. If you're having any kind of minister involved to perform the ceremony when exchanging vows, you would have to check whether that wouldn't be considered as legally binding as per the laws in the country where such ceremony will be held.

Also, you'd have to be extra careful for the interview. If the consular officer has any reason whatsoever to believe that you guys have gotten married before the visa was approved, it would be grounds for denial. In that sense, the petitioner and the beneficiary, for example, should avoid referring to each other as husband and wife and should not provide the consular office with any evidence that would slightly give them the impression that such a ceremony resembles a wedding.

Edited September 5, 2006 by Mew

[moshiman 0]

I guess everyone going through a K1 process goes through the problem of setting a date, as nobody knows when visa'll be approved or *if* it will.

Having a wedding ceremony that is *not* legally binding before getting the visa shouldn't pose as a problem. If you're having any kind of minister involved to perform the ceremony when exchanging vows, you would have to check whether that wouldn't be considered as legally binding as per the laws in the country where such ceremony will be held.

Also, you'd have to be extra careful for the interview. If the consular officer has any reason whatsoever to believe that you guys have gotten married before the visa was approved, it would be grounds for denial. In that sense, the petitioner and the beneficiary, for example, should avoid referring to each other as husband and wife and should not provide the consular office with any evidence that would slightly give them the impression that such a ceremony resembles a wedding.

This makes me a little worried too. My fiancee and I had a traditional Thai wedding ceremony in the morning, and then later that day, in the evening, had a wedding party. Although no documents were signed at that time, I wonder if that is considered a legal marriage in her country. Will the U.S. consider it a legally binding marriage or not? Did I apply for the correct visa? K-1 or K-3? Oiy!! Can someone help to enlighten me? Please & thank you

[aj1 1]

I guess everyone going through a K1 process goes through the problem of setting a date, as nobody knows when visa'll be approved or *if* it will.

Having a wedding ceremony that is *not* legally binding before getting the visa shouldn't pose as a problem. If you're having any kind of minister involved to perform the ceremony when exchanging vows, you would have to check whether that wouldn't be considered as legally binding as per the laws in the country where such ceremony will be held.

Also, you'd have to be extra careful for the interview. If the consular officer has any reason whatsoever to believe that you guys have gotten married before the visa was approved, it would be grounds for denial. In that sense, the petitioner and the beneficiary, for example, should avoid referring to each other as husband and wife and should not provide the consular office with any evidence that would slightly give them the impression that such a ceremony resembles a wedding.

Unfortunaltely we all have this problem. I am not going to start planning our wedding until my fiancee tells me that he passed the interview. That is really the safest and the best time to start planning. It sucks because you only have 90 days to get married after they arrive, but for me at least i know it is for sure to start planning. I wish i could plan now. I just learned through all of this to just be patient which at times is really hard. Good luck with the rest of your journey.

AJ1

[Mew 0]

This makes me a little worried too. My fiancee and I had a traditional Thai wedding ceremony in the morning, and then later that day, in the evening, had a wedding party. Although no documents were signed at that time, I wonder if that is considered a legal marriage in her country. Will the U.S. consider it a legally binding marriage or not? Did I apply for the correct visa? K-1 or K-3? Oiy!! Can someone help to enlighten me? Please & thank you

Maybe this links will help you find some info:

http://www.northernthailand.com/romancing/legal.html

http://www.thailand-lawyer.com/marriage.html

[Mew 0]

This makes me a little worried too. My fiancee and I had a traditional Thai wedding ceremony in the morning, and then later that day, in the evening, had a wedding party. Although no documents were signed at that time, I wonder if that is considered a legal marriage in her country. Will the U.S. consider it a legally binding marriage or not? Did I apply for the correct visa? K-1 or K-3? Oiy!! Can someone help to enlighten me? Please & thank you

Maybe this links will help you find some info:

http://www.northernthailand.com/romancing/legal.html

http://www.thailand-lawyer.com/marriage.html

Also, you can try posting your question to the Thailand thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=78

[gimygirl 0]

always be careful not to refer to each other as husband/wife or talkintg about your 'technical' wedding because you could be denied if the CO feels that you already married.

[mi_illusion_st 0]

Unfortunately we all have this problem. I am not going to start planning our wedding until my fiancee tells me that he passed the interview. That is really the safest and the best time to start planning. It sucks because you only have 90 days to get married after they arrive, but for me at least i know it is for sure to start planning. I wish i could plan now. I just learned through all of this to just be patient which at times is really hard. Good luck with the rest of your journey.

AJ1

I'm planning mine and getting the stuff I can get in advance and my mother and I are doing almost everything ourselves. We are even cooking ( I make the best BBQ around here) and my mother bless her soul is making my cake and dress. So we can buy up most of our things in advance that way. It's also a blessing that i am from a small town I only need 3 months advance notice tops to get the wedding/reception cite I want.SO IMHO I believe you can plan on a lot of things that aren't part of a time schedule, I know some will disagree with me and thats okay cause I'm not in a contest to be right.

Edited September 5, 2006 by mi_illusion_st

[Gina & Johann 0]

Thanks ... actually all of you have helped! I appreciate the advice. I guess that is why this is here.

[mozplay 29]

Hi both of you,

Be careful of doing a 'ceremony' only wedding in Trinidad. You do not want to get caught out at the interview by someone thinking that you are already married. It is VERY easy for the interviewer to simply make a phone call to Trinidad and for the wrong person to say ' yes, it was a lovely wedding' and get a big fat denial stamp. Simply not having a Red House marriage license may not be enough.

By the way, I looked at your photo and don't recognize you, but I grew up in Trini too, so just wanted to say an extra hello to you.

Good luck!

Mo

[Caladan 19]

No advice but just some support! Going through the same thing myself trying to plan a wedding in the Catholic Church without being able to say when the groom will be available.

Bang. head. against. wall.