Getting married before fiance visa approved

[Jesse and Hema 2]

I don't understand why people set wedding dates when they know the K1 visa process has no REAL processing time.

Optimism

[mox 298]

In situations like this, it's usually recommended that you continue with your wedding plans, but make the wedding ceremonial only. I.e., do not sign a marriage license, do not make it official. That way you can have your big wedding, family will be happy, and you can still continue with the K-1 process. Once she's in country, you can go to the courthouse and be "officially" married the same day in most cases.

Agreed. I'd suggest doing this unless you have strong personal reasons against doing so. I think my fiancée and I are going to do something similar, except have the legal wedding before the ceremony with friends and family.

And if you do have a strong personal reason against doing so, you really only have 2 choices: either call off the wedding, or resign yourself to re-starting the whole process via K-3.

[StillThePrettiest 3]

hmm, I always thought I was doing the right thing by not setting any dates, but if it means loads of people are going to get interview dates here in London ahead of me I might go ahead and set some anyway

[mox 298]

hmm, I always thought I was doing the right thing by not setting any dates, but if it means loads of people are going to get interview dates here in London ahead of me I might go ahead and set some anyway

I doubt it's "loads," but yeah, I understand where you're coming from. Too bad (for me) that Moscow isn't so accomodating.

[StillThePrettiest 3]

maybe I'll just TELL them I have urgent dates and plans, but then not actually have them, so if they tell me to get knotted I'll be no worse off

[Dan J 277]

We had a wedding before my fiance came to the US, but it was not a marriage. We made sure that the officiant of the wedding knew that it would not include the marriage. But we did everything else thats part of an traditional wedding.

We will be having our civil ceremony this Friday at the courthouse.

You do have to remember that you are not married for all legal purposes. If you do suggest that you might be married it can derail the process or cause issues with being able to use the K-1 visa.

[franseth 0]

We sent out save the dates cards. We named our finger's crossed date, one out about 11 months and then one out about 1.5 years from application. Folks know of our situation and found it to be humorous that we would send it out, but it was a way for me to keep on truck'n with wedding plans. I also reserved only places that would allow me to change my times at will. We won't make our first date for sure, the second is up in the air and well... the 3rd date it will be too late. But due to planning, we'll be ready anytime.

I recommend talking to the places you have reserved, telling them that you guarantee that you will use them for your celebrations, but need alternative dates.

The of our save the dates card front read:

He asked her….

… and she said yes!

Then she promptly sent him off to India!

The back:

Save the Date!

December 1, 2007

Hormazd and I hope he will be back in the USA.

We'll keep you posted!

Love,

Sara and Hormazd

PS.  Just incase she can’t recall him back in time the alternative dates are March 21, 2008, December 6, 2008.