Engagement Ceremony?

[Mike n Huong 1]

This new thread is a continuation of one posted in the general threads. Can someone tell me if these photo's would be considered useful for evidence of the Dam Hoi? Dalegg, thanks for posting your pics in the other thread. In case you are unfamiliar with the original thread, someone else posted a thread discussing a non legal marriage ceremony and reception. I was in the same situation. Her parents wanted us to have a ceremony and reception, without filing for any marriage certificate. They wanted to see this, since it is tradition, as well as they will not be able to attend our ceremony int he US. We were debating on whether to show some pictures of our ceremony and reception. In these pictures I came to her parents home with five baskets, filled with gifts for her parents and family. When arriving at the home, I sat down with her parents and family, as well as the people representing my family. Her father talked to me many things, and I did the same with a translator. Would this be considered the Dam Hoi? Or are these baskets well known as being for a marriage? Also My fiancee had to stay in her room while all this occured so she is not in the pictures when we talked. Afterwards I had to come to her room and bring her out. So maybe I can show the pics of us talking and not the one with her wearing a wedding dress, or maybe I can show them all. I would greatly appreciate any input on this, if anyone has experienced this. I discussed this with my lawyer, and he is clueless. He told me that an engagement party is not important to the consulate, and to just provide evidence of our relationship. Well, sorry for the long explanation, but maybe you will have a better idea of my situation. Here are the pics:

[babybunny 2]

looks like a wedding to me!

in my wedding which is islamic. I was seperated from my husband in another room during the wedding cerimony < nikka >

but, you are marrying a girl of another faith. from what I am seeing looks like a wedding.

[Marilyn. 340]

I would leave out the pictures from the engagement ceremony.... the person who interviews your SO might think they are wedding pictures

[dalegg 143]

I think these pictures are right on with the right on!

How come nobody in Vietnam ever smiles when you take their picture?

Didn't I read somewhere that she had a son? Where is he?

Edited April 4, 2006 by dalegg

[Mike n Huong 1]

I think these pictures are right on with the right on!

How come nobody in Vietnam ever smiles when you take their picture?

Didn't I read somewhere that she had a son? Where is he?

Dalegg,

So youthink these pics are ok to show? She does have a son, he is some of the other pics, I have one similar to the one with her parents, but it shows more of her dress.

[patricks 0]

Hey Mike:

Those are great pictures, congratulations! It definitely shows her parents accept and approve of you, That's very positive. "Ba Noi", grandma, even showed up for the occasion. I would definitely show them! They're not wedding photos (There's no HOT Saigon Beer with Big Ice Cubes) Really, it doesn't look like a wedding (# of people, names on the wall, gifts, etc) Get copies of the photos and put small labels on the bottom. That's what I did, so the interviewer would have a written narration of the photos while they read them.

Good Luck

[3AD 0]

I discussed this with my lawyer, and he is clueless. He told me that an engagement party is not important to the consulate, and to just provide evidence of our relationship.

Mike,

I hate to say it, but your lawyer is dead wrong. How familiar is he with working visas through HCMC? This is one of those issues that is very specific to Vietnam. NOT having a dam hoi ceremony will throw up a definite red flag to a consulate officer in Vietnam, because they are familiar with the customs there and know that the family expects that.

I think those pictures (all of them) are fine. I'm actually having a dam cuoi (wedding) ceremony but not signing the marriage registry book. So it's not official. But for the same reasons (family cannont attend wedding in USA, etc.). The consulate in HCMC is familiar with seeing all of this.

3AD

[rejane 1]

I think that you should use the pictures... It s one more proof on your side...

Good luck

[Matt_Stevens 5]

Those pictures are important and I say use them.

We have finally decides to do the Dam Hoi now, even though we do not want to, simply because we are terrified about our case and think we will be denied for sure if we don't. Those here who have read my posts know my case, which is for certain a real relationship, has problems because of co-sponsoring issues.