Wedding planning while waiting for NOA2??

[naddy 14]

I know everybody will warn against this.. but I am curious how many of you have planned or are in the process of planning a wedding while waiting for a NOA2? I want to feel like a normal bride, so I would like to plan as "normal" of a wedding as possible while we are going through this process. I know most people will say they plan for a civil service right after entry, but I don't want to go that route. I also feel like this process isn't as daunting when I occupy myself with the wedding planning. The way I am handling it is, we are planning a smallish wedding of about 65, and we haven't put any non refundable deposits down ( the contract with the wedding venue includes a "movable" date). My date also is what (I hope) is enough time... March 5, 2015 NOA1 and Feb 13, 2016 wedding date (TSC). How is everybody else out there tackling wedding planning? Or if you planned a wedding in the past while waiting, how did it work out for you timing wise?

[Myrie 7]

Hey !

I definitely understand where you're coming from. I wish my fiance and I could plan our wedding the normal way too. But as things are moving, I think we will most likely get our marriage license when I get to the states and have a proper ceremony later on, maybe spring next year.

Right now, I don't even know when exactly I will get the visa. Having the ceremony with family and friends later makes it easier for us to organize it better and give people a proper date. Also in regard of buying plane tickets and all that. Can't really expect people to book a flight the last second you know lol.

The only thing I'm doing already is looking at dresses..hehe

[ChicagoSarah 127]

I think you're doing the right thing! I did exactly the same thing while waiting for my fiance to get his visa. Our save the dates/invites all said "*visa permitting" on the bottom, and we waited to have his family finalize travel arrangements until we were pretty certain of the issuance (we did it when an interview was set...which I know is also warned against).

As long as you're signing contracts with movable dates (which is what I did), then you're fine! Enjoy the planning, just don't make any plans/deposits that you can't change if things don't follow the timeline you think they will.

There is obviously no saying if your date is far enough out or not, especially with the TSC petitions being routed to CSC now to lessen the workload of TSC. Those centers change processing times so frequently that all you can do is take a safe guess and hope for the best (with refundable plans).

Good luck with everything!

[naddy 14]

Myrie- I got my dress this past weekend.. definitely the fun part of the planning phase!

ChicagoSarah- Thanks for not making me feel crazy for planning this way!!

[D.Ba 85]

To me it rather seems that Feb 13 is a bit too far off? What if your visa goes quick - you will not be able to travel until 90 days before the date.

Or will you still do the court thing and then the "proper wedding"?

I am planning the "standard K-1 thing": JoP shortly after arrival (it doesn't mean that much, just to satisfy the legal requirements) and the proper church wedding next year in my home town.

Lots of Americans find it funny to "get married twice", and then I explain in Germany it's the rule (even the law), first the registry and some time later the church, which has no legal implications.

[naddy 14]

To me it rather seems that Feb 13 is a bit too far off? What if your visa goes quick - you will not be able to travel until 90 days before the date.

Or will you still do the court thing and then the "proper wedding"?

I am planning the "standard K-1 thing": JoP shortly after arrival (it doesn't mean that much, just to satisfy the legal requirements) and the proper church wedding next year in my home town.

Lots of Americans find it funny to "get married twice", and then I explain in Germany it's the rule (even the law), first the registry and some time later the church, which has no legal implications.

As the American, I do find it funny to get married twice.. I only want to celebrate one anniversary . Also, we both want our families present at our "actual" wedding. But I do understand the practicality of doing the civil/court wedding especially to get a head start on AOS paperwork.

As far as Feb 13th seeming too far off, we are ok with that even if we get approved sooner rather than later. His plan is to enter the US in January after he spends his last holiday season with his family in Ireland. I would spend the holidays with him there, and come back with him when he moves in early January. February would be perfect in that case... now just hoping for an approval soon enough so we don't have to stress about the timeline

[p1nkmamba 18]

I am looking at dresses, thinking of colors, online shopping venues, etc. Everything, but not locking them in.

[Dame & Ash 12]

Hi,

I have been planning my wedding since I sent the i-129F packet because that is what I've dreamed of all my life. You should go forward with movable plans because if it is meant to be you guys will be together at the right time. I have ordered my dress and picked a date (10/31) now just waiting on the interview (paperwork at the embassy) so he can come and do a tux fitting. I wouldn't compromise my dreams, traditions and beliefs just for the government. The only thing I haven't done was print invitations, but I have the template ready. I did order my Save the Date invitations and will send them out the day after his interview. Your dream will come to pass and on top of that the embassy will know you mean business when you send them contracts and various plans you have made. I sent my fiancé the receipt for the ring I bought him as well as my venue contract and many other things for him to present during his interview. Make the most of it, after all you only plan to marry once in your life! Good Luck and God Bless!!!

Ashley

Edited June 23, 2015 by Dame & Ash

[CowBoE 429]

As long as you can keep the wedding date and venue flexible with no major penalties,

then it should be OK.

[yuna628 9,676]

OP, we started wedding planning last year and no, we didn't want a two wedding do-over either. Starting with the little things first. I purchased my dress when it was on sale, and finished alterations in late spring. We decided and discussed about what sort of wedding we wanted, the logistics and budget of getting everyone to the states, and where we wanted to marry.

For our part, we've waited a little later to secure our venue. Since his interview is coming up soon, I'll be in the process of securing it this week. And I now have a minister and photographer lined up. We have found that many people are supportive and helpful, once you explain the situation you're in regarding the immigration process.

This week we are working on designing invitations, favors, and other custom items that need longer time to make. When he arrives a month before the wedding if all goes to plan, we'll get the flowers, rings, and cake sorted out. All that will be left is securing big things like the hotel for all the guests and plane tickets.

Remember that once your visa is in hand you have up to five months from the date of the medical to enter the US. So it is possible to push the wedding into a zone that offers less stress for planning. Remember that you are at TSC, and right now they are all over the place with a lot of people waiting at least over 200 days, an average of 240, and some from September *still* haven't been sorted out. Keep focused and don't get discouraged.