Jump to content
afoyoswa

Wedding Plans Thread

 Share

122 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Uganda
Timeline

I thought it might be nice to have a thread where everyone who is planning a wedding can talk about how things are going, given that people we know in the month threads can be in such different stages of the process and may not enjoy hearing about these kind of details. Anyone?

We are working with a tentative date of Nov. 3 at the moment. We have a venue lined up (the gorgeous historic [built in 1853!] church that I attend), and I just got confirmation that they will allow us to apply our deposit to a backup date in December or January if it does not seem that Aaron will be in the U.S. on Nov. 3. Hoping to work out the same deal with a photographer. I have a dress, and my bridesmaids (5!) have all said yes. Aaron and I also looked at invitations on Sunday and discovered that we like very different styles. So, things are going well!

Who else is working on wedding planning? Do tell!

Joy (& Aaron, who doesn't read/post here yet)

Dec. 27, 2010: First met each other in Entebbe, Uganda while I was visiting my friend/his cousin (12/27/10 - 1/10/11) (visited again Jul. 2-9, 2011 and Dec. 24, 2011 - Jan. 9, 2012; engaged 1/7/12)

K-1

Feb. 18, 2012: I-129F sent (delivered 2/21 per USPS & USCIS; NOA1 notice date 2/23/12; check cashed/email/text 2/24)

Aug. 9, 2012: NOA2!!! [NOA1 +168 days] (reached NVC 8/17, left NVC 8/20; @embassy 8/24; embassy confirmed receipt 9/5)

Oct. 24 - Nov. 8, 2012: I visited again (Nairobi: medical 10/31; interview 11/5 [NOA1 +256 days]; result--APPROVED!!!!!!!)

Nov. 15, 2012: Visa in hand (was ready for retrieval 11/12/12)

Nov. 20, 2012: POE, Boston!!! (legal marriage 12/12/12; family/friends wedding ceremony 1/12/13) (276 days)

AOS/EAD/AP

Feb. 4, 2013: AOS packet sent (delivered 2/6, NOA1 text/email & check cashed 2/11 midnight)

Feb. 11, 2013: NOA1 notice date for I-485, EAD, AP (I-485/EAD NOA1 hard copies & biometrics appt letter arrived 2/16, badly mangled AP NOA1 arrived 2/27; biometrics done 3/4/13)

Apr. 3, 2013: EAD & AP approved (received card 4/11)

Aug. 16, 2013: I-485 approved & green card production ordered!!!! (card arrived 8/26/13) (193 days)

ROC

2015 sometime? I've slept since then.

Naturalization

Dec. 20, 2019: N-400 submitted online (Boston, MA field office)

Jan. 9, 2020: Biometrics

Feb. 4, 2020: updated wait time = 4 months (estimated case completion June 2020)

Aug. 7, 2020: interview scheduled (!), but no idea when

Sept. 16, 2020: interview, Boston (approved)

Sept. 24, 2020: oath ceremony, Boston---DONE!!! (279 days from submission)

230Hm5.pngxrcBm5.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
Timeline

Great thread to get started. We are planning for November or January. We researched wedding ideas. Our 3 bridesmaid and groomsmen are already set. Here are some ideas and links that we have looked at

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/weddings/budget/save-money-wedding-00000000006530/index.html all kinds of tips on cake, venue like counry club, favors etc and discounted wedding dresses. such as bridalgarden.org or bridesagainstbreastcancer.org

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-budget/articles/30-ways-to-save-money-on-wedding.aspx?MsdVisit=1

http://weddings.about.com/od/weddingplanningtools/tp/Costcutters.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Money-on-Your-Wedding-Ceremony-and-Reception

Consider a centerpiece that doubles as something else. For example, instead of one big wedding cake, put a small cake on each table. The cake is the dessert and the centerpiece! Or, if you are doing favors, put the pile of favors neatly stacked in the middle of the table. Or, create a beautiful table number, possibly decorated with a photo of the couple or a photo of a city the couple visited together, and use that as the centerpiece, surrounded by inexpensive votive candles.

Use an online service for RSVP and simply include the web address on your invitations, saving the need for RSVP cards and extra postage. Consider including a phone number for those who may not have Internet access.

http://www.creditpanda.com/blog/2007/50-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding/ what not to say when buying shoes "hint" not wedding shoes or prices go up.

Sent I-129 Application to VSC 2/1/12
NOA1 2/8/12
RFE 8/2/12
RFE reply 8/3/12
NOA2 8/16/12
NVC received 8/27/12
NVC left 8/29/12
Manila Embassy received 9/5/12
Visa appointment & approval 9/7/12
Arrived in US 10/5/2012
Married 11/24/2012
AOS application sent 12/19/12

AOS approved 8/24/13

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline

Great idea for a thread! I was thinking now that I have my NOA2 that I really need to start working on it. We have a tenative date of Jan 12th.

I hope to get some good ideas here!

May 2008: Met on the Carnival Paradise
2008-2012: 20 Cruises, 8 vacations, many wonderful moments
May 2012: Engaged!

K-1
May 17 2012: I-129F Sent
May 22 2012: NOA1
Aug 17 2012: NOA2
Aug 28 2012: Left NVC
Aug 29 2012: Vancouver Consolate Received
Sept 7 2012: Package 3 received
Sept 18 2012: Package 4 received
Nov 20 2012: Medical
Nov 26 2012: Interview - APPROVED!
Dec 01 2012: POE
Jan 12 2013: Wedding!
AOS
Jan 26 2013: AOS Sent
Jan 31 2013: NOA1 eMail
Mar 06 2013: Feb 13 2013 (walk-in) Biometrics Appt
Mar 28 2013: EAD/AP Approval
April 02 2013: Interview - APPROVED!
April 05 2013: EAD/AP Card received
April 10 2013: Greencard ARRIVED!!

ROC

Jan 12 2015: I-751 Sent

Jan 16 2015: Received NOA1. Receipt date: Jan 13th

Feb 19 2015: Biometrics

June 10 2015: APPROVED!

June 18 2015: Greencard Arrived!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

Yay! This is a happy thread!! :D

Tom and I have decided to do a small, courthouse wedding first (we're hoping for 12/12/12, though it may be too early, because the Montreal consulate can be REALLY slow - we got engaged on 11/11/11, so I think it would be totally fitting). We're going to have my parents and his dad there, and probably go for a nice dinner or something.

Then we're planning the "big" wedding to be May 18, 2013.

We've already booked the venue - http://postcardinn.com/ (we have a clause in the contract that will allow us to push the date to any time in 2013 without any consequences). We're going to get married outside in the courtyard, and have the reception upstairs in the ballroom. It's going to be a retro/50's/rock and roll themed wedding.

I've booked my photographers (friends of mine who actually are based in the Tampa area, but are originally from the Toronto area, oddly enough!)

I have my bridal party set - 3 groomsmen, 2 bridesmaids, 1 maid of honour (my best friend since we were 6 years old!)... and either 1 or 3 flower girls (we're having issues with my brother, and still have no idea if he, his wife, and my two nieces will even come to the wedding), and my ring boy is going to be my little nephew who is going to be born on Monday!! (My niece is going to pull him in a little wagon LOL)

I bought my dress back in June, and it is supposed to be ready in December.

I'm super crafty so I want to make a lot of the elements, like our invitations, I'm hoping to make paper flower bouquets, and a few other elements (and hopefully if I get down to Florida in December, I'll have from December to May to work on all this stuff!)

I get so excited when I think about all this stuff :) It's the one bright spot to all this ridiculous paperwork :)

Ex27m5.png MbP5m4.png

VJsig.jpg




Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well we have been preparing since last year when we attempted this process. Dates, months, year, all changed... many times as I like to be prepared for the just in case. My matron of honor and photographer/ husband / wife team said they could not make it so now things changed again in the last 9 days. My big thing was my bouquet. I love all things sparkly so it is made up of beads and tuille. WOWSA, what was I thinking. It has taken hours to do but love the final result. We decided to do a brunch wedding and then we are having a party at the house afterwards with a bonfire and a pizza truck. With a little luck it will be when our pumpkins come ready ready. We turned our front yard in to a pumpkin patch with 19 huge pumpkins growing. We want to have them carved for decorations. Details... many details, but it has been a great source to take our minds off that stupid NOA2.

Terri

We are going with an East Indian theme in honor of my Daddy who passed away last year. He was born in Bombay as was his mothers family. I love the sari's.

Fiance visa

04/28/2011 - I-129F - DENIED

02/18/2012 - I-129F petition filed
02/24/2012 - NOA1
09/04/2012 - NOA2, 193 days

Interview:10/22/2012
POE: 10/26/2012 (245 days)

Removal of Conditions

Filed for ROC - 06/09/2015

NOA1 for ROC - 06/12/2015

Biometrics appointment - 07/17/2015

Approval for ROC - 04/20/2016 (316 days)

Naturalization Process

N-400 Filed 06/10/2016

N-400 NOA1 06/14/2016

N-400 biometrics 06/20/16

N-400 interview 01/23/2017

N-400 Oath ceremony 02/10/2017

Immigration Process took 2116 days.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline

We're thinking either Vegas or San Diego - January. Vegas is looking too expensive though, and I think weather will be better in SD! No dress yet! It's going to be totally last minute when I get my visa! Where's your wedding going to be?

April 30th 2011 Met in Las Vegas, NV at Paris Resort and Casino

June 4th 2012 Mailed I-129F from Salt Lake City, UT to Dallas, TX

June 6th 2012 Received in Dallas

June 11th 2012 Text/E-mail of NOA1

June 14th 2012 Received hardcopy of NOA1

August 16th 2012 Received text/e-mail of NOA2

August 27th 2012 NVC received petition

Sep 3rd 2012 Received Packet 3 from London Embassy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Romania
Timeline

Mine's on September 16th, we have a venue, a photographer and a lot of ideas about decorating. It will be small, so I try not to over plan it.


USCIS [*] 22 Nov. 2011 - I-129 package sent; [*] 25 Nov. 2011 - Package delivered; [*] 25 Nov. 2011 - NOA1/petition received and routed to the California Service Center; [*] 30 Nov. 2011 - Touched/confirmation though text message and email; [*] 03 Dec. 2011 - Hard copy received; [*]24 April 2012 - NOA2 (no RFEs)/text message/email/USCIS account updated; [*] 27 April 2012 - NOA2 hard copy received.

NVC [*] 14 May 2012 - Petition received by NVC ; [*] 16 May 2012 - Petition left NVC.

EMBASSY [*] 18 May 2012 - Petition arrived at the US Embassy in Bucharest; [*] 22 May 2012 - Package 3 received; [*] 24 May 2012 - Package sent to the consulate, interview date set; [*] 14 June 2012 - Interview date, approved.

POE [*] 04 July 2012 - Minneapolis/St.Paul. [*] 16 September 2012 - Wedding Day!

AOS/EAD/AP [*] 04 February 2013 - AOS/EAD/AP package sent; [*] 07 February 2013 - AOS/EAD/AP package delivered; [*] 12 February 2013 - NOA1 text messages/emails; [*] 16 February 2013 - NOA1 received in the regular mail; [*] 28 February 2013 - Biometrics letter received (appointment date, March 8th); [*] 04 March 2013 - Biometrics walk-in completed (9 out of 10 fingerprints taken, pinky would not give in); [*] 04 April 2013 - EAD/AP card approved; [*] 11 April 2013 - Combo card sent/tracking number obtained; [*] 15 April 2013 - Card delivered.

[*] 15 May 2013 - Moved from MN to LA; [*] 17 May 2013 - Applied for a new SS card/filed an AR-11 online (unsuccessfully), therefore called and spoke to a Tier 2 and changed the address; [*] 22 May 2013 - Address updated on My Case Status (finally can see the case numbers online); [*] 28 May 2013 - Letter received in the mail confirming the change of address; [*] 31 July 2013 - Went to Romania; [*] 12 September 2013 - returned to the US using the AP, POE Houston, everything went smoothly; [*] 20 September 2013 - Spoke to a Tier2 and put in a service request; [*] 23 September 2013 - Got "Possible Interview Waiver" letter (originally sent on August, 29th to my old address, returned and re-routed to my current address); [*] 1 October 2013 - Started a new job.

event.png

Trying to get the word out about our struggles:

http://voices.yahoo.com/almost-legal-citizen-but-not-quite-12155565.html?cat=9

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Uganda
Timeline

SO much fun hearing about everyone's plans!

Kennard: some great ideas there! We're aiming for very casual and DIY, so I'll have to look at those sites for ideas. How did you arrange bridesmaids/groomsmen if your immigrating fiancé doesn't know anyone here yet? Aaron has met exactly one person here in the U.S., so it's a little tricky.

Katie: that venue looks GORGEOUS! And 12/12/12 would be really fun for the pre-wedding: hope it works out!

ClaireGio: Ooh, Vegas! Ours is going to be in Boston, where I live. I'm okay with EVERYTHING being last-minute except the dress, so I already went ahead and bought mine in a very optimistic moment in February.

Atlonglast: brunch, pumpkins, sparkly tulle, and pizza? I think I would really love to be a guest at your wedding! :thumbs:

PeterPan: wow, September 16? That's really soon! And :thumbs: on the not-overplanning. I'm actually kind of pleased that I have only 10 9 weeks to get this together. I don't think I'd really WANT a wedding to take over my life for a year or more. This feels manageable. Sometimes.

Edited by afoyoswa

Joy (& Aaron, who doesn't read/post here yet)

Dec. 27, 2010: First met each other in Entebbe, Uganda while I was visiting my friend/his cousin (12/27/10 - 1/10/11) (visited again Jul. 2-9, 2011 and Dec. 24, 2011 - Jan. 9, 2012; engaged 1/7/12)

K-1

Feb. 18, 2012: I-129F sent (delivered 2/21 per USPS & USCIS; NOA1 notice date 2/23/12; check cashed/email/text 2/24)

Aug. 9, 2012: NOA2!!! [NOA1 +168 days] (reached NVC 8/17, left NVC 8/20; @embassy 8/24; embassy confirmed receipt 9/5)

Oct. 24 - Nov. 8, 2012: I visited again (Nairobi: medical 10/31; interview 11/5 [NOA1 +256 days]; result--APPROVED!!!!!!!)

Nov. 15, 2012: Visa in hand (was ready for retrieval 11/12/12)

Nov. 20, 2012: POE, Boston!!! (legal marriage 12/12/12; family/friends wedding ceremony 1/12/13) (276 days)

AOS/EAD/AP

Feb. 4, 2013: AOS packet sent (delivered 2/6, NOA1 text/email & check cashed 2/11 midnight)

Feb. 11, 2013: NOA1 notice date for I-485, EAD, AP (I-485/EAD NOA1 hard copies & biometrics appt letter arrived 2/16, badly mangled AP NOA1 arrived 2/27; biometrics done 3/4/13)

Apr. 3, 2013: EAD & AP approved (received card 4/11)

Aug. 16, 2013: I-485 approved & green card production ordered!!!! (card arrived 8/26/13) (193 days)

ROC

2015 sometime? I've slept since then.

Naturalization

Dec. 20, 2019: N-400 submitted online (Boston, MA field office)

Jan. 9, 2020: Biometrics

Feb. 4, 2020: updated wait time = 4 months (estimated case completion June 2020)

Aug. 7, 2020: interview scheduled (!), but no idea when

Sept. 16, 2020: interview, Boston (approved)

Sept. 24, 2020: oath ceremony, Boston---DONE!!! (279 days from submission)

230Hm5.pngxrcBm5.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love the idea of this thread! My wedding was originally scheduled for October 20th, but when we got an RFE, I was convinced it was going to take months to get that resolved, so we pushed it back to April 6th. Now it looks like he'll be here anyway, but at least I'm no longer stressed about trying to beat immigration for my wedding date. We'll do a courthouse wedding with just my folks and a few friends in October, then get ready for the big day. I've already got all the big stuff done, and luckily had no problem with the vendors with moving the date. The thing I'm most excited about is my dress:

My wedding dress!

We're planning about 90 guests total, including Rob's parents who will be coming to town. My parents have never met his, but my mom and his mom have become pen pals over the last few years, so I know they are excited to meet. I think it's adorable.

October 2007- Became friends gaming onlineJanuary 16, 2009- Met in person in UKDecember 25, 2011- Ten visits later, engaged!February 24, 2012- I-129F SentFebruary 29, 2012- NOA 1 ReceivedJuly 13, 2012- RFE email sad.pngJuly 20, 2012-RFE response mailed to CSCJuly 24, 2012-RFE response reviewJuly 26, 2012-NOA2!!!!July 30, 2012-NOA2 Hardcopy ReceivedAugust 3, 2012-NVC received case and forwarded to LondonAugust 6, 2012-Case received by LondonAugust 13, 2012-Packet 3 sent out by consulateAugust 15, 2012-Packet 3 receivedAugust 23, 2012-Mailed affidavit and original forms to Rob via express mailAugust 30, 2012-MedicalSeptember 3, 2012-Packet 3 sent to embassy with DS-2001September 4, 2012-Packet 3 and DS-2001 arrive in LondonSeptember 26, 2012-Packet 4 receivedOctober 11, 2012- lnterview- Result: APPROVEDOctober 18, 2012-Visa in handNovember 15, 2012- POE-ORDNovember 21, 2012- Legal wedding!!November 30, 2012- Applied for SSNDecember 7, 2012- SSN card came in mailDecember 20, 2012- AOS/EAD/AP sent outDecember 27, 2012-AOS/EAD/AP Text/email confirmationDecember 31, 2012-AOS/EAD/AP NOA1 received in mailJanuary 22, 2013-Biometrics appointmentFebruary 15, 2013- EAD/AP approvedFebruary 27, 2013- EAD/AP card arrived in mailApril 6, 2013- Big family wedding!!August 12, 2013-AOS text/email- APPROVED!! <p>May 16, 2015- ROC package sent to CSC August 15, 2015- ROC Approved!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

The thing I'm most excited about is my dress:

My wedding dress!

That's GORRRRRGEOUS Cori!! I love it!!

I'd post my dress, but Tom stalks my posts on here sometimes. He's not allowed to see it ;) hehe

Ex27m5.png MbP5m4.png

VJsig.jpg




Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
Timeline

SO much fun hearing about everyone's plans!

Kennard: some great ideas there! We're aiming for very casual and DIY, so I'll have to look at those sites for ideas. How did you arrange bridesmaids/groomsmen if your immigrating fiancé doesn't know anyone here yet? Aaron has met exactly one person here in the U.S., so it's a little tricky.

I talked to Janice, my fiancee, and the brides and groomsmen are my brothers , brother-in-law and my sisters and sister-in-law. Janice spoke to most of them (via Skype) and we agree to keep them to my immediate family, since it would be difficult for her family to attend. We will of couse get a professional videographer so that her family will get to see the entire wedding on DVD. She is also looking at wedding dresses in the Philippines and we will compare to see if she wants to buy it there or here. We are going to hold the guest list to around 150. I have a big family and lots of relatives.

Edited by kennard

Sent I-129 Application to VSC 2/1/12
NOA1 2/8/12
RFE 8/2/12
RFE reply 8/3/12
NOA2 8/16/12
NVC received 8/27/12
NVC left 8/29/12
Manila Embassy received 9/5/12
Visa appointment & approval 9/7/12
Arrived in US 10/5/2012
Married 11/24/2012
AOS application sent 12/19/12

AOS approved 8/24/13

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

The thing I'm most excited about is my dress:

My wedding dress!

Oh my goodness! That really is gorgeous! You'll look like a princess :yes:.

“...Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?”

. Lucy Maude Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

5892822976_477b1a77f7_z.jpg

Another Member of the VJ Fluffy Kitty Posse!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Country: Jamaica
Timeline

Yay! This is a happy thread!! :D

Tom and I have decided to do a small, courthouse wedding first (we're hoping for 12/12/12

That is our wedding date also, December 12th. We changed from the courthouse to a small church wedding, because we can be married and move on in the same amount of wait time at the courthouse.

I have 2-3 bridesmaids and groomsmen, pending on if his friend comes from JA. The florist, cake, dresses, and tux are already picked out. Still looking for a reasonable caterer, photographer. Still deciding if the small reception will be at the church or at our house. I have my first dress fitting on September 1st.

Still have to finalize his family's travel plans. We are only doing immediate family so including the wedding party about 20 people. We will have to big wedding in December 2013, for our 1st anniversary.

He does not want to wear pink, I told him he has NOOOO CHOICE!!!! :bonk:

Phase I - IV - Completed the Immigration Journey 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Country: Jamaica
Timeline

Phase I - IV - Completed the Immigration Journey 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...