wedding in Canada

[Pat Bumbalough 0]

I have no idea where to post this so here it goes: my fiance lives in Canada and we want to hold our ceremony there. Problem is I have my entire US Family and friends to invite who Im afraid wont get Passports in time (or afford them) to attend. We want it summer 2013

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

I have no idea where to post this so here it goes: my fiance lives in Canada and we want to hold our ceremony there. Problem is I have my entire US Family and friends to invite who Im afraid wont get Passports in time (or afford them) to attend. We want it summer 2013

Have your wedding on the Rainbow Bridge, in the middle of the span right where the Canada/US border is. That should solve the problem.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Topic has been moved from General Polls as it is not a poll, to the Canada Regional Forum as the most useful location for the OP to get relevant advice.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I have no idea where to post this so here it goes: my fiance lives in Canada and we want to hold our ceremony there. Problem is I have my entire US Family and friends to invite who Im afraid wont get Passports in time (or afford them) to attend. We want it summer 2013

You've got plenty of time for your relatives to get passports. The cost involved is another matter but if they are planning on travelling to Canada anyway, they can include it in with their travel costs. The passport is good for 10 years. Perhaps you could send a notice in with the invitations that include information on getting a US passport and make sure you send the invitations out early enough that they have time to apply for and receive the passport. Or, perhaps you could send the information to your relatives earlier and explain that the United States now requires all US citizens to have a passport (or one of the other recommended documents) in order to be allowed back into the US.

Another option to consider if there are too many people you want to come and who do not wish to or can't afford to travel to Canada is to have the wedding in Canada, video tape it, then when your bride is allowed to move to the US after she receives the CR-1 visa (you are aware that this will take about a year and she will have to continue to live in Canada all that time, yes?), you can hold a family 'wedding' reception in the US where you can show the video and have the big party. You could even do a re-affirmation of your vows.

There are always options to explore. It may require some compromises on your part or on the parts of your family and friends but you should be able to find something that works. Do remember that having to go through the various hoops required by US immigration does mean that you have an additional 'entity' in your relationship - and one that is not flexible or very understanding. You'll have to be the ones who 'bend' and to try and convince your various friends and family that these are requirements determined by the Government and you have to work within their restrictions.

Good luck.

(You can always tell your friends and family that Canada is a lovely place to visit and they should try to turn this into an extended holiday while they are there. There is lots to see and do and some good Canadian hospitality to enjoy).

Edited August 19, 2012 by Kathryn41

[VeeNDee 44]

There are always options to explore. It may require some compromises on your part or on the parts of your family and friends but you should be able to find something that works. Do remember that having to go through the various hoops required by US immigration does mean that you have an additional 'entity' in your relationship - and one that is not flexible or very understanding. You'll have to be the ones who 'bend' and to try and convince your various friends and family that these are requirements determined by the Government and you have to work within their restrictions.

Sigh... true words Kathryn41. Sometimes it feels like I am making people do something they don't want to do but it is the government actually doing it.

[Rob & Monika 87]

There are a few states that allows a cheaper alternative to passports if money is an issue. If they are in Michigan, New York, Vermont, or Washington, they can get an enhanced drivers license and drive across the border. I think those are generally less than $50, where a passport is over $100.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

If people want to attend your wedding they will find a way to afford the $110 (or so) in a year's time. You will also be making a choice that could mean some of your family may not be able to attend due to distance and timing and cost of traveling but that is what it is. If you married in the US - your fiancé's family would be in teh same boat. You cannot worry about everyone else or it will drive you up the wall. If you decided on a destination wedding it would be the same, there is always someone who wants to whine about why they cannot come - it's YOUR day!