Setting a marriage date whilst waiting for the visa

[rupa 1]

Great posts everyone. I can definitely relate to the feeling like having a breakdown every day. Moving to a new country far away from family and friends, planning a wedding remotely AND going through the Visa process is a LOT to handle. Not being able to plan on definitive dates only multiplies the stress. I think most here can relate to that, especially when all we want is to just be with our loved one and get on with life. This process is just a bit of a speed bump that requires patience, perserverance and a dose of faith, but you will get through it one way or the other. Just keep going and make sure to lavish love on your sweetie every chance you get.

I got some good advice from Queen Jen to put that nervous energy to good use and start creating short lists of first, second and third choices for vendors so that once the visa is in hand, the invitations are ready to send the next day, and a list of phone numbers is handy to finalize the wedding plans. That way I can basically pull out my list and book my wedding in one day cause I've already done all the research and figured stuff out. Basically, I'm planning the entire wedding (100 people) now, just not confirming anything until I have the Visa in my hot little hand. I don't want to take the chance of loosing large deposits so will wait until I actually have the visa to make deposits. I figure by having multiple options laid out and by being flexible we can book a wedding even in high season. I also plan to be ready to cross the boarder within a few days of getting the visa, to be in the u.s. to finalize wedding plans.

But as someone else already said...it's just one day, albeit a special day. If you are the kind of person that needs the table cloths to match the bridesmaids dresses, you may be subjecting yourself to some unnecessary stress and frustration. By being flexible and resourceful you can still have a beautiful, well planned wedding while at the same time juggling the visa process.

As far as relatives/friends booking flights....we've told everyone the ball park the date that we're hopng for...July 12....but made them aware that it may be pushed back depending on when I get the visa. I'll be calling everyone as soon as I can after the interview so they can buy the flights and book time off work. But at least they know it's comming and are saving vacation days for it etc.

And yes, I've bought the dress already!!!! I'll be using the reciept as part of the proof of our relationship at the interview!

I find being busy workng on the planning helps with the waiting......plus it's great to feel excited and be looking forward to that special day rather than feeling depressed about the wait time.

[davidm1982 0]

I like the idea of buying the wedding dress and showing the receipt as proof of the relationship at interview. How much more proof could they need!

[kgas 0]

I sent them the engagement ring and wedding reception contract (and cancelled check) in our I-129F. I like to think that it helped our speedy approval, but that might just be a fluke. I plan on sending those abroad for the interview as well though.

PS - I didn't send them the actual engagment ring, lol. Just the receipt.

[luv2teach77 41]

Debs and I didn't finalize our date until I received my interview date. Now maybe we were still taking a risk at that stage but I felt that barring some kind of disaster at the interview, the visa was all but in the bag. It worked out fine, the interview went smoothly, the visa was issued promptly and I was on my way to the US within 2 weeks.

Mark