Civil ceremony now & wedding celebration later... OK to explain why?

[impecunious 0]

Hi all,

My Mexican fiancée and I have been together for 2 years and after doing my homework this weekend about visas, we're getting ready to file the I-130 in a couple weeks. We were - and still are - planning a big wedding celebration in Mexico for September (where she lives now) with our families and friends. We wanted to be able to return to the USA to start our lives together after this celebration, but after getting schooled on here about visa processing times, I understand now that this may not happen. Therefore, the next best thing is for us to file the I-130 as soon as possible so that the time we're separated after our celebration in September is kept short.

Thus, we're going to get our marriage certificate this week here in town, instead of officially tying the knot in Mexico in September.

Thinking ahead to the documentation I submit for the bonafide marriage requirement as well as the interview, is it OK for us to explain exactly this: that we got married now, and will only have the celebration in September, because we simply didn't want to delay our future ability to be together more than necessary? I realize that these circumstances will seem "backwards", and I suppose they are, but I don't want this to come across in some way as though we're gaming the system. I think the rest of our bonafide marriage evidence - emails, Skype chats, tons of photos from other weddings, affidavits - should drive the point home. I just don't want this different order of events - first the marriage, and then the wedding celebration months later - to cause undue attention.

Thanks in advance.

[impecunious 0]

Any ideas?

[fcat 79]

Nothing odd about that, a lot of people do it this way, you'll be fine

[Ryan H 3,810]

is it OK for us to explain exactly this: that we got married now, and will only have the celebration in September, because we simply didn't want to delay our future ability to be together more than necessary?

You don't need to bother with such an explanation as this is a non-issue. As another poster already pointed out, this is a common occurrence.

[dwheels76 5,466]

Hi all,

My Mexican fiancée and I have been together for 2 years and after doing my homework this weekend about visas, we're getting ready to file the I-130 in a couple weeks. We were - and still are - planning a big wedding celebration in Mexico for September (where she lives now) with our families and friends. We wanted to be able to return to the USA to start our lives together after this celebration, but after getting schooled on here about visa processing times, I understand now that this may not happen. Therefore, the next best thing is for us to file the I-130 as soon as possible so that the time we're separated after our celebration in September is kept short.

Thus, we're going to get our marriage certificate this week here in town, instead of officially tying the knot in Mexico in September.

Thinking ahead to the documentation I submit for the bonafide marriage requirement as well as the interview, is it OK for us to explain exactly this: that we got married now, and will only have the celebration in September, because we simply didn't want to delay our future ability to be together more than necessary? I realize that these circumstances will seem "backwards", and I suppose they are, but I don't want this to come across in some way as though we're gaming the system. I think the rest of our bonafide marriage evidence - emails, Skype chats, tons of photos from other weddings, affidavits - should drive the point home. I just don't want this different order of events - first the marriage, and then the wedding celebration months later - to cause undue attention.

Thanks in advance.

If you took a poll on VJ this is probably the norm. A civil quick ceremony. And later the Big to do. I will be married 2 years in May, We got married at a registry in Nigeria (like the justice of the peace here). When I go back in about a month we will be having our formal ceremony as they call the White wedding at our church. Funny we have to first complete a 3 week marriage class and counseling than after attest we want to still be married (Too cute).

So you are fine. And congratulations.

[impecunious 0]

Thanks guys!