I don't how you guys do it

[VisaJourneyDude 0]

So my fiancee from Russia wants the elaborate wedding. We only have 3 months to plan for it once she is here. Right now she will be in the interview process next month. This is why we can't make any real plans until she gets that K1 visa. It doesn't make sense to plan a wedding and make deposits until the visa is in her hands.

She wants her family and best friend to attend the wedding. I said fat chance with that. I'm not flying all those people and boarding them on my dime. Not to mention, how in the world are they going to get a visa that quick? So the K1 visa has a few flaws. One of which is... you have three months to get married. I think they should be realistic that this should be longer. You have a better idea how a person is like if you lived with them for at least a year. You can't plan a real wedding with just 3 months. I wish they made it 1 year grace period to marry.

Would like to hear all your experience with this situation

[X Factor 1,110]

Plan to have a quality videographer and sent wedding DVDs to family and friends to Russia. It's impractical for them to come. I discussed this with my fiancee BEFORE I applied for the K-1 visa.

[TnJ 131]

I don't know what to tell you about the relatives situation. That's personal. However, I wouldn't call these points of the K-1 flaws necessarily. The K-1 is intended for people who know each other and are engaged to marry in the US. 90 days is enough time to marry. It is not about getting to know each other in the US. The purpose is to marry plain and simple. If for some reason a couple needs more time for their elaborate ceremony, it is quite an easy and painless process to do a civil wedding first. I do agree you shouldn't plan a wedding (expenses) before the K-1 is in hand. However, you have a 6 months expiration on the K-1 and 90 days after arrival to the states so you have roughly 9 months to plan a wedding.

Edited August 21, 2012 by ToddnJessa

[Andie 147]

So my fiancee from Russia wants the elaborate wedding. We only have 3 months to plan for it once she is here. Right now she will be in the interview process next month. This is why we can't make any real plans until she gets that K1 visa. It doesn't make sense to plan a wedding and make deposits until the visa is in her hands.

She wants her family and best friend to attend the wedding. I said fat chance with that. I'm not flying all those people and boarding them on my dime. Not to mention, how in the world are they going to get a visa that quick? So the K1 visa has a few flaws. One of which is... you have three months to get married. I think they should be realistic that this should be longer. You have a better idea how a person is like if you lived with them for at least a year. You can't plan a real wedding with just 3 months. I wish they made it 1 year grace period to marry.

Would like to hear all your experience with this situation

The K1 is really meant to be the opportunity to get married in the US, not to get to know each other - but you're right in that its not easy to adjust to a totally different environment. Easier for English speaking westerners, but still not easy. I don't think there is a perfect answer - I knew my fiance when he was growing up in NZ, we had many years apart but reonnected in 2009. I've made 3 long visits to the US, during which time we decided we didn't want to be apart. Then the visa fiasco began

As far as the wedding goes, simple is going to be easier and cheaper. You have to do what works for you. Best of luck with your plans.

[Krikit 1,163]

Moving from K-1 Process to Moving Here/Life in America.

[TnJ 131]

Plan to have a quality videographer and sent wedding DVDs to family and friends to Russia. It's impractical for them to come. I discussed this with my fiancee BEFORE I applied for the K-1 visa.

And if some find it practical, it is still impractical to expect the petitioner (groom or bride) to shoulder the expenses for everyone to hop on over to the states. Our idea is to have a civil wedding in the states, and go back to the Philippines at some later date to have a renewing of vows/church ceremony.

Edited August 21, 2012 by ToddnJessa

[Xanax 349]

I would recommend a civil ceremony in the US or a small ceremony for your family and then do the big wedding in Russia for your fiancee / wife.

And I agree with the others who said that.the 90 period is for couples who know each other to marry not to get to know each other.

[Messybrownhair 251]

I had my dream wedding. Planned it once I got my NoA2. Family and best friend got visas early on and all paid for their tickets. Its definitely possible with a lot of planning (in advance, and flexible dates) and some money to burn. Our wedding was not lavish, we were frugal about it but we managed to have all our friends and family with us. We had a church and military weddding. I was not worried about the k1 not being approved so I planned it all ahead. Not advisable, but it worked for us!

[KTandTommy 30]

Our plan is to do a civil wedding shortly after POE, where just my parents and his dad will attend... and then have our "big" wedding with all our friends and family in May (but we have a clause in our contract that allows us to push it forward to any available date in 2013, should we not be able to make the May date). It's probably easier for me because I'm from Canada and we don't need travel visas, but my family and friends are all paying for their own flights to come down to Florida for our wedding. If this wasn't an option, we discussed going back to Canada and doing a big wedding after the adjustment of status.

[Married2009 32]

I tend to agree with the others - small ceremony here, then a big ceremony/celebration in Russia for her. You can even throw a big reception here, for your friends and family. (Still less expensive than big lavish wedding.)

[ClaireGio 35]

After being on this website for a few months now, I still can't figure out for the life of me why people choose to marry people they don't feel they know enough. It's bizarre!

And if I asked my fiancé to pay for for my families tickets to the wedding, I think he would cry hysterically with laughter

[MangoAve 25]

I kind of agree. I understand with the other posters that the 90 day time is not to get to know the person and that is true. But most people who work can't take months off at a time to actually see what it's like living with the person. Whether the USC is staying at a hotel, or even able to stay at the fiance's family house. It't not the same. And I believe that anyone who is controlling or abusive, nither will see if only visiting for a week or two at a time. It still is a deficiency along with trying to plan a wedding.

More directly to the OP, I think because my K1 is taking so long that I may be forced into doing a civil marriage (and probably something more extravagent after seeing as its both our first marriage). I sure as hell can't do a marriage outside during the winter here which is what we want to do.

[rocks 494]

I would recommend a civil ceremony in the US or a small ceremony for your family and then do the big wedding in Russia for your fiancee / wife

Many people choose this option. It is the easiest way if you want to plan a big wedding. You can file for AOS and get that part out of the way and then start with the family wedding plans.

[Oksana & Max 94]

This is what we did a small ceremony here in the courthouse, and now we are going back to Ukraine for a big family wedding in October. Not that it is not possible to pay for everyones ticket, chances to get a Visitor Visa might be slim as well.

[Dirk 30]

I would recommend a civil ceremony in the US or a small ceremony for your family and then do the big wedding in Russia for your fiancee / wife.

And I agree with the others who said that.the 90 period is for couples who know each other to marry not to get to know each other.

We are doing the same thing, small wedding in the US, then back to Philippines for a family wedding/party. Cost in america for 200 people roughly $10,000, Cost of 2 plane tickets to Philippines, 2 pigs, whiskey and beer, $3500 and a lot more fun, plus I get a vacation out of it.