Question about pictures

[newlyweds2010 208]

Here is my two cents: if in Morocco this kind of ceremony is a very traditional engagement ceremony, then I would send the pics as a proof that you have been following the Moroccan tradition. The last thing you may want is a CO grilling you on why you did not follow that ritual which every real couple celebrates to get engaged prior to their wedding. If, on the contrary, it is some random party which may resemble a wedding, and there is no cultural reason to have it, then I would not send the pics.

[Enigma11561 336]

Some people here did do this ceremony and had no issues. Others advised against showing photos of this ceremony. I am not knowledgeable about anything from Morocco, but why open a can of worms? You are just now submitting your I-129. All you need for this is evidence of having seen each other within the last 2 years. Some photos of you guys together is all that is needed. Surely you have others? Your petition is going to Vermont. I doubt these people know squat about these ceremonies. They just want to see the required paperwork is all completed. Your embassy interview is a whole different issue. At that time the embassy may want to see, based upon the cultural/religious aspects of this country, this ceremony. Cannot answer that question. But why worry about all this now? Did I miss something here?

PS. If you did get married then you could not use the K1 visa process.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Almost all my pics have henna, even the ones before we married..... People get henna for different reasons not just marriage.....

First off.... There is no such thing as "ENGAGEMENT" in Islam so if your guy is muslim you should know these things......

These "PARTIES" are watered down versions of a "MOROCCAN" wedding as there really is no celebration like this in Islam.... there is no wedding ceramony.... The couple signs thier contract with the Imam or Adoul and then have a "WALIMAH" which is a feast that they invite the muslim community to to announce thier union... if one were following Islamic standards.....

And if Islamic steps were not taken to "MARRY" you then you were not married....

If I were an Indian or whenever country use henna for marriage, it might can be seen I'm already married. But, since I'm in Indonesia and henna is not consider as part of marriage rituals, I would say it is more for fashion. I had henna on my hands many times and usually for art work.

[newlyweds2010 208]

Some people here did do this ceremony and had no issues. Others advised against showing photos of this ceremony. I am not knowledgeable about anything from Morocco, but why open a can of worms? You are just now submitting your I-129. All you need for this is evidence of having seen each other within the last 2 years. Some photos of you guys together is all that is needed. Surely you have others? Your petition is going to Vermont. I doubt these people know squat about these ceremonies. They just want to see the required paperwork is all completed. Your embassy interview is a whole different issue. At that time the embassy may want to see, based upon the cultural/religious aspects of this country, this ceremony. Cannot answer that question. But why worry about all this now? Did I miss something here?

PS. If you did get married then you could not use the K1 visa process.

Very reasonable advise. Give them the basics to pass, you don't want an A right now risking to get an F, you want a C to go to the next step. At the interview you can keep those pics in your pocket and should the IO ask something like "Did you have an official Moroccan-style engagement ceremony?", then you show them the pics.

[nicky&imad 16]

OK, so i have alot of different opinions here, lol. So first of all, i have 67 different pics that i chose, ofcourse i will only maybe send 5, and send the rest to my fiance for the interview. Thank you to everyone for all there help, I am quite sure i will back for more :lol:

[KittyPollitt 284]

Girl these people are crazy. Having these "engagement" parties is common for K1 couples in Morocco. Indeed I know of no one who has NOT had one. Casablanca knows this, and they're also aware of how difficult it is to marry in Morocco. I sent these pictures with henna, hugemongous caftan, crown on head, etc. NO PROBLEMS- they had NOTHING to ask about them. They know the deal. Every country is different about this kind of thing. It's a bad idea for people to generalize when giving country specific advice.

paix

[KittyPollitt 284]

But why worry about all this now? Did I miss something here?

Casablanca is notorious for not looking at evidence that is brought to interviews. It's advisable to "front load" a petition package that will be forwarded to Morocco, with anything you absolutely want to consulate to see.

[nejma 3]

Girl these people are crazy. Having these "engagement" parties is common for K1 couples in Morocco. Indeed I know of no one who has NOT had one. Casablanca knows this, and they're also aware of how difficult it is to marry in Morocco. I sent these pictures with henna, hugemongous caftan, crown on head, etc. NO PROBLEMS- they had NOTHING to ask about them. They know the deal. Every country is different about this kind of thing. It's a bad idea for people to generalize when giving country specific advice.

paix

True dat. Engagement parties are common. Just label the pictures as such. Heck I even knew of a couple who was questioned by the CO as to why they DIDN'T have an engagement party and the girl had to fly back to Morocco just to have it and produce pics after the interview. (Not saying it's required either, it was probably a fluke in that couple's case). Most people have them tho, because who doesn't like a party with henna and a caftan!

Next time post Morocco-specific questions in the MENA forum

[Peace.... 281]

I too had an engagement party with the entire family and took only about 10 pictures and went to a local picture place and downloaded them all on a 8x10 sheet as I did the other pictures. I didn't have lots of pictures only 20 I submitted and it was fine for us. The man that interviewed my fiance at the time, said it looked nice and neat and not too many as we do not have time to look at each and every picture. I also wore a "cafton" a beautiful moroccan dress that his sister gave me. It was a lovely evening and glad we did it.

[Housni&Marie 7]

I sent pictures from our engagement party with the I-129 as well. I had the takchita, tiara, henna and all. I was a little concerned after reading some things about people having problems with photos that resembled a wedding, especially since my fiance gave me a set - engagement ring and wedding band - and you can see I am wearing both in the photos, as well as him wearing his ring. After the party I explained to my fiance and his family how it's done in the US and only wear the engagement ring now, but he wears his ring all the time, and I have also worried how it will look to the CO if he wear it to the interview. When I mentioned this to my fiance, he told me not to worry about it, because if the COs know anything at all about Moroccan customs/culture, they'll know that's what they do in Morocco. He has his interview later this month, so I guess we'll see if it comes up at all.

[nicky&imad 16]

Casablanca is notorious for not looking at evidence that is brought to interviews. It's advisable to "front load" a petition package that will be forwarded to Morocco, with anything you absolutely want to consulate to see.

As usual, squeaky comes to the rescue!! LOL Thx for the back up, from everyone actually who commented and directing me in the right direction, so i have def made my decision now and since it is common practice and i for sure want the CO to know his family approves of me, i will send pics from the party. I have prob over a 100 but Im not going to annoy them with all of them. I did have copies of 67 printed out but even that is too many i think. I can have Imad bring the rest to the interview, whenever that would be because i still need to send the I-129F first, HA HA

[nicky&imad 16]

I sent pictures from our engagement party with the I-129 as well. I had the takchita, tiara, henna and all. I was a little concerned after reading some things about people having problems with photos that resembled a wedding, especially since my fiance gave me a set - engagement ring and wedding band - and you can see I am wearing both in the photos, as well as him wearing his ring. After the party I explained to my fiance and his family how it's done in the US and only wear the engagement ring now, but he wears his ring all the time, and I have also worried how it will look to the CO if he wear it to the interview. When I mentioned this to my fiance, he told me not to worry about it, because if the COs know anything at all about Moroccan customs/culture, they'll know that's what they do in Morocco. He has his interview later this month, so I guess we'll see if it comes up at all.

That's funny you talk about ur fiance and wearing his ring all the time now, because Imad has been wearing a wedding ring before i even went to see him, ofcourse i sent him a different one after and then he got another one when i was there for when we had the party. He wants people to know he is a taken man, lol

[nicky&imad 16]

I too had an engagement party with the entire family and took only about 10 pictures and went to a local picture place and downloaded them all on a 8x10 sheet as I did the other pictures. I didn't have lots of pictures only 20 I submitted and it was fine for us. The man that interviewed my fiance at the time, said it looked nice and neat and not too many as we do not have time to look at each and every picture. I also wore a "cafton" a beautiful moroccan dress that his sister gave me. It was a lovely evening and glad we did it.

You are right, it was the greatest evening i ever had, just to be with the family and to feel like a princess was the best. I think 20 pics should be enough then, if they need more, i can send them

True dat. Engagement parties are common. Just label the pictures as such. Heck I even knew of a couple who was questioned by the CO as to why they DIDN'T have an engagement party and the girl had to fly back to Morocco just to have it and produce pics after the interview. (Not saying it's required either, it was probably a fluke in that couple's case). Most people have them tho, because who doesn't like a party with henna and a caftan!

Next time post Morocco-specific questions in the MENA forum

Next time I will definetly look for that one, Thx