Planning wedding before visa is approved

[Lorna&Alex 104]

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I are planning on submitting our i-129f within the next couple of months - definitely before the beginning of September!! I am the beneficiary and I am from the UK...we are planning to get married in Philadelphia on July 28th 2018. We want to start planning and booking stuff for the wedding as soon as we receive NOA2 because we are going to be having a relatively big wedding, has anyone else starting planning and booking stuff for the wedding before they actually go to the interview and receive the visa in their passport?? I know it can be seen as risky but even if we wait until the 1st week of September 2017 before we submit the i-129f, that's still over 10 months between then and having the wedding in July 2018 

[Scandi 4,189]

Many K-1 visas have taken longer than 10 months from date of filing the petition until visa is in hand. The average is about 6-8 months right now but that can change quickly and there are never any guarantees. I have personal experience of visa process taking way longer than expected so I would never, ever recommend anyone to plan something that can't be changed. It's up to you if you want to take the chance.

[Roel 7,193]

Do NOT book anything, do NOT make any reservations before having a visa in hand!!! There have been countless stories about people losing their money and reservations because they didn't get their visa in time. You can't truly predict how much time your process will take. You might get lucky or not. 

 

Embassies also suggest to not make any solid plans before having a visa  

[NovaDC 270]

33 minutes ago, Lorna&Alex said:

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I are planning on submitting our i-129f within the next couple of months - definitely before the beginning of September!! I am the beneficiary and I am from the UK...we are planning to get married in Philadelphia on July 28th 2018. We want to start planning and booking stuff for the wedding as soon as we receive NOA2 because we are going to be having a relatively big wedding, has anyone else starting planning and booking stuff for the wedding before they actually go to the interview and receive the visa in their passport?? I know it can be seen as risky but even if we wait until the 1st week of September 2017 before we submit the i-129f, that's still over 10 months between then and having the wedding in July 2018 

My fiance and I are also preparing for the wedding already. My bridesmaids even have their dresses made in David's Bridal. For now we are still waiting for our NOA2. Hopefully all this process will be done soon. Best wishes for your visa journey. Everyone here in VJ are so nice and helpful. 

[mytruelove18 608]

54 minutes ago, Lorna&Alex said:

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I are planning on submitting our i-129f within the next couple of months - definitely before the beginning of September!! I am the beneficiary and I am from the UK...we are planning to get married in Philadelphia on July 28th 2018. We want to start planning and booking stuff for the wedding as soon as we receive NOA2 because we are going to be having a relatively big wedding, has anyone else starting planning and booking stuff for the wedding before they actually go to the interview and receive the visa in their passport?? I know it can be seen as risky but even if we wait until the 1st week of September 2017 before we submit the i-129f, that's still over 10 months between then and having the wedding in July 2018 

some here say you cant not book anything because can be elay with the visa process is truth, but you can read on the forum for United Kindong and see the approvals average for people from your country.

actualy the approvals average is 3 months at uscis, 1 month at NVC so you can figure out the timeline to get the visa.

I THINK THAT IF YOU DONT HAVE ANY RED FLAGS OR CRIMINL RECORDS AS YOU ARENT FROM A HIG FRAUD COUNTRY, I THINK YOU ARE BE OK FOR JULY WEDDING

[Dashinka 24,954]

With the K1 visa, you have six months to use it (generally based on the date of the physical) before entering the US and starting the 90 day clock.  One thing we did when we got our K1 was to use almost that entire 6 months before my then fiancé entered the US.  That gave us some time to plan a moderately large wedding and for my fiancé to get all her deals together before coming over.  I realize most people do the K1 to try and get together as soon as possible, but with all the horror stories of people planning weddings during the process and USCIS/NVC not fitting into that schedule it is never a good idea to make solid non-refundable plans for a wedding.

 

Good Luck!

[Lemonslice 4,996]

As long as everything is refundable and you can change the dates, you should be ok.

[Unlockable 7,316]

There are numerous members on this site (some long time members) who have had their plans go bad because of the lengthy immigration. Hopefully, they will chime in and share their stories. We just saw a post a few of weeks ago where a woman realized her fiance was not going to immigrate in time for their planned wedding. She admitted to haven already made reservations with vendors and will lose lots of money.

 

Never plan anything that can't be changed until the visa is physically in your hands. But you can certainly be prepared. And there are also options, like having a quick civil wedding first then the big wedding later or waiting until the last minute for the beneficiary to migrate (6 months after approval) like @Bill & Katya mentioned.

 

 

If you interested in reading the thread I referenced here is the link...

 

[Lorna&Alex 104]

Thank you everyone for your input!! some mixed opinions but I've taken everything into consideration  we will have sent off the i-129f by the beginning of September 2017 and are hoping to have NOA2 by  January 2018 then start the planning and booking as soon as we receive the NOA2 but maybe this will be too risky and we'll just have to try and plan the wedding in a couple of months

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 minute ago, Lorna&Alex said:

Thank you everyone for your input!! some mixed opinions but I've taken everything into consideration  we will have sent off the i-129f by the beginning of September 2017 and are hoping to have NOA2 by  January 2018 then start the planning and booking as soon as we receive the NOA2 but maybe this will be too risky and we'll just have to try and plan the wedding in a couple of months

Is there a reason why it is going to take until September to send the petition? Getting it done in the next two weeks would surely pad the timetable in your favor.

[yuna628 9,752]

2 hours ago, Lorna&Alex said:

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I are planning on submitting our i-129f within the next couple of months - definitely before the beginning of September!! I am the beneficiary and I am from the UK...we are planning to get married in Philadelphia on July 28th 2018. We want to start planning and booking stuff for the wedding as soon as we receive NOA2 because we are going to be having a relatively big wedding, has anyone else starting planning and booking stuff for the wedding before they actually go to the interview and receive the visa in their passport?? I know it can be seen as risky but even if we wait until the 1st week of September 2017 before we submit the i-129f, that's still over 10 months between then and having the wedding in July 2018 

The honest truth: The government advises you to not do this and most people who have been through this process will also advise you not to do this. Why? Because anything can happen and you have no way of knowing what will happen with your case. Things go wrong, go missing, get delayed even in uncomplicated cases and easy embassies like London.

 

Two easy ways: A big wedding isn't a requirement, but finishing the terms of your K1 and filing for AOS is important and getting other things set up like an SSN and health insurance is also important. A lot of people simply choose to wed at a courthouse to get the ball rolling and then have the big bash later when things can be planned out together with confidence. OR once the visa is issued the foreign fiancé has up to 6 months from the date of their medical to enter the US - leaving you plenty of time to plan without worry.

 

Our reality: We changed our floating wedding date at least three times waiting for the process to complete. It took nearly a year to finish. We didn't want any do-overs so we did what no one recommends and planned our wedding throughout. Just because we did it, doesn't mean I recommend it though. BUT if you insist on doing it, there are some things you can do without dropping money on reserving venues until the visa is in hand. You can start with the little things - most of our décor stuff was DIY so supplies were purchased well ahead of time. My dress and accessories were purchased very early on during off peak sale months and we made fittings for very far down the road. Everything else though that required money or deposits such as hotel rooms, airfare, venues, cake baker, photographer, and officiant were not done until we knew the date of his interview. This is still a big risk to take. Even with the venue we did not commit 100% (we did a tentative verbal agreement first) to putting a deposit until the day after his interview. Unless you can find a photographer that is willing to work with you that will be the hardest to book at short notice, but I found that if you explain your situation most are willing to work with you, and if they aren't then they don't really want your business and you're better off anyway. We still waited several weeks after he had his visa to be able to finalize the remaining items left and give him a chance to say goodbye. But as I said with up to six months to enter - one could take longer to sort confirming financials out. Invites were done online and completed the day of his interview result and all financial items were finalized in cash at that point. The remaining stuff like hair and makeup consults and other items that required his assistance were not finished until he arrived. We did not have a lavish thing - a simple 20 guest wedding at an waterfront outdoor venue that offered a restaurant (so we didn't have to worry about catering but we did pick our menu), and a cottage for the wedding party. If you're having a bigger wedding involving catering or stuff you need to put up and tear down yourself or real flowers, this would be a nightmare to plan under such scenarios... Most of our guests were coming in from overseas or across country so planning that and transport was especially difficult. So I can say we planned the wedding throughout the process, but it was also stressful and anxiety-ridden too. It worked of course and despite hiccups (one week I literally thought I was going to have to fire the venue and start looking for another with a few weeks to go), Davids Bridal LOST my mom and MoH dress three times and ruined one of the gowns (!!!)... but looking back I realize that so many more things could have happened to delay and cause real headaches for us. So it's why I don't recommend it. We did it yes, and it was a beautiful result... but planning a wedding is stressful enough, this simply adds to it. Can't even imagine how much of a headache a large wedding would pose.

 

Tips if you're persisting: Start early with the small easy stuff you can buy ahead of time. Use spreadsheets to cost compare if you want to be thrifty. Take careful notice of reviews from weddingwire. Etsy and weddingpaperdivas are wonderful resources. Play hardball with venues that seem dismissive of your situation and really question them on what happens if you need to change a date suddenly.

[Lorna&Alex 104]

27 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

The honest truth: The government advises you to not do this and most people who have been through this process will also advise you not to do this. Why? Because anything can happen and you have no way of knowing what will happen with your case. Things go wrong, go missing, get delayed even in uncomplicated cases and easy embassies like London.

 

Two easy ways: A big wedding isn't a requirement, but finishing the terms of your K1 and filing for AOS is important and getting other things set up like an SSN and health insurance is also important. A lot of people simply choose to wed at a courthouse to get the ball rolling and then have the big bash later when things can be planned out together with confidence. OR once the visa is issued the foreign fiancé has up to 6 months from the date of their medical to enter the US - leaving you plenty of time to plan without worry.

 

Our reality: We changed our floating wedding date at least three times waiting for the process to complete. It took nearly a year to finish. We didn't want any do-overs so we did what no one recommends and planned our wedding throughout. Just because we did it, doesn't mean I recommend it though. BUT if you insist on doing it, there are some things you can do without dropping money on reserving venues until the visa is in hand. You can start with the little things - most of our décor stuff was DIY so supplies were purchased well ahead of time. My dress and accessories were purchased very early on during off peak sale months and we made fittings for very far down the road. Everything else though that required money or deposits such as hotel rooms, airfare, venues, cake baker, photographer, and officiant were not done until we knew the date of his interview. This is still a big risk to take. Even with the venue we did not commit 100% (we did a tentative verbal agreement first) to putting a deposit until the day after his interview. Unless you can find a photographer that is willing to work with you that will be the hardest to book at short notice, but I found that if you explain your situation most are willing to work with you, and if they aren't then they don't really want your business and you're better off anyway. We still waited several weeks after he had his visa to be able to finalize the remaining items left and give him a chance to say goodbye. But as I said with up to six months to enter - one could take longer to sort confirming financials out. Invites were done online and completed the day of his interview result and all financial items were finalized in cash at that point. The remaining stuff like hair and makeup consults and other items that required his assistance were not finished until he arrived. We did not have a lavish thing - a simple 20 guest wedding at an waterfront outdoor venue that offered a restaurant (so we didn't have to worry about catering but we did pick our menu), and a cottage for the wedding party. If you're having a bigger wedding involving catering or stuff you need to put up and tear down yourself or real flowers, this would be a nightmare to plan under such scenarios... Most of our guests were coming in from overseas or across country so planning that and transport was especially difficult. So I can say we planned the wedding throughout the process, but it was also stressful and anxiety-ridden too. It worked of course and despite hiccups (one week I literally thought I was going to have to fire the venue and start looking for another with a few weeks to go), Davids Bridal LOST my mom and MoH dress three times and ruined one of the gowns (!!!)... but looking back I realize that so many more things could have happened to delay and cause real headaches for us. So it's why I don't recommend it. We did it yes, and it was a beautiful result... but planning a wedding is stressful enough, this simply adds to it. Can't even imagine how much of a headache a large wedding would pose.

 

Tips if you're persisting: Start early with the small easy stuff you can buy ahead of time. Use spreadsheets to cost compare if you want to be thrifty. Take careful notice of reviews from weddingwire. Etsy and weddingpaperdivas are wonderful resources. Play hardball with venues that seem dismissive of your situation and really question them on what happens if you need to change a date suddenly.

Thank you so much for your detailed response!!! i should also add that we're gonna be getting married in my fiance's back yard (he has 8 acres of land) so we'll just be hiring some tents for 100 guests  

[Lorna&Alex 104]

53 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Is there a reason why it is going to take until September to send the petition? Getting it done in the next two weeks would surely pad the timetable in your favor.

initially it was because im going out to the states to visit my fiance in September so i didn't want to submit the i-129f before i go out and visit, but a friend i met through visa journey reassured me that you can infact visit while the visa is processing as long as you have enough evidence that you'll be returning home!! so we may submit it before September if we can get all the paperwork together before then  

[JayMar2019 2,741]

3 hours ago, Lorna&Alex said:

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I are planning on submitting our i-129f within the next couple of months - definitely before the beginning of September!! I am the beneficiary and I am from the UK...we are planning to get married in Philadelphia on July 28th 2018. We want to start planning and booking stuff for the wedding as soon as we receive NOA2 because we are going to be having a relatively big wedding, has anyone else starting planning and booking stuff for the wedding before they actually go to the interview and receive the visa in their passport?? I know it can be seen as risky but even if we wait until the 1st week of September 2017 before we submit the i-129f, that's still over 10 months between then and having the wedding in July 2018 

 

5 minutes ago, Lorna&Alex said:

initially it was because im going out to the states to visit my fiance in September so i didn't want to submit the i-129f before i go out and visit, but a friend i met through visa journey reassured me that you can infact visit while the visa is processing as long as you have enough evidence that you'll be returning home!! so we may submit it before September if we can get all the paperwork together before then  

As already stated above, it is not recommended that you book anything so far in advance. I totally understand that wanting a wedding is important, but this process is nowhere near what it used to be. Average wait time for the NOA2 is 3-4 months and that's seems to have changed some where people in January/February are still waiting to get the NOA2. Plus, NVC is taking a little longer than normal at averaging 21 days but it appears to be taking 4-5 weeks for some.

 

For my fiancé and I, we are gonna have a wedding, and while I was shooting for the November 11th of this year because his mom who is here on her work visa would still be here around that time, I think that we will have to push it back to December 30th for a few reasons:

1. I don't want to rush things too quickly and bombard him with a wedding, getting adjusted to living in a completely different environment, still have to get his SSN# and marriage certificate, etc., all before we walk down the aisle.
2. Because I want us to first enjoy the fact we finally are together, considering this process is draining at it is, it's a lot to take in once he gets here. It's one thing for us to visit and it's another thing for to actually live together.
3. Because after we do get married, whether an intimate wedding or a courthouse wedding, we still have to get his status adjusted and that process cost approx. $1,200.00 US. I would still be the sole provider of the household, even with him bringing over some of the money he is saving.
4. If we have it December 30th which is a Saturday, he and I can go to Florida or Las Vegas/California the next day since we can't fly outside of the country until he gets his AP, so it will like a "honeymoon" for the week since the new calendar year starts that Monday and my vacation time at work will start over.

Right now for me, it's about the long term. Not saying you're not preparing for these things, but it's just something to think about.

 

Yes, you can visit your fiancé during while going through the process, as long as you have the appropriate visa and it's valid for travel. That visa will not be cancelled until after you get approved for the K1.

[kpeck 22]

7 hours ago, Lorna&Alex said:

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I are planning on submitting our i-129f within the next couple of months - definitely before the beginning of September!! I am the beneficiary and I am from the UK...we are planning to get married in Philadelphia on July 28th 2018. We want to start planning and booking stuff for the wedding as soon as we receive NOA2 because we are going to be having a relatively big wedding, has anyone else starting planning and booking stuff for the wedding before they actually go to the interview and receive the visa in their passport?? I know it can be seen as risky but even if we wait until the 1st week of September 2017 before we submit the i-129f, that's still over 10 months between then and having the wedding in July 2018 

I agree with a lot of what everyone has chimed in on.... planning ahead without having the visa in hand can be risky! You just never know what can go wrong... bureaucracy!

 

My husband and I waited to plan anything/put any deposits down until he had his visa in hand. We also did a courthouse wedding within a week of his arrival so we could get started on the paperwork (and since you have 90 days to get married within arrival on the K1 - no sense in waiting!) and then had our actual ceremony and reception for later - it was just as meaningful and special even though we were legally already married. (A lot of people have asked us this - on this site and our friends). 

 

Best of luck on this journey!