dwarfer

In my experience, the first few weeks, and even months, are not so much the problem - things will be new and exciting. You'll be learning about new systems and a new way of life, more-or-less....and that will keep you preoccupied.
It's once you're comfortable enough to know your way around (literally and metaphorically) and things aren't new and exciting any more, and you've kind of got into the daily habits of life that you miss your family, because they won't be part of the daily habits of your life like they once were.
Unless you're a naturally 'busy, busy, busy person', I think it will be hard to keep making yourself busy in the long-term in order to stave off homesickness.
I'm lucky, that I don't really suffer from home-sickness, and was largely fine living away from home for years at a time, but these are some things that I found that helped me when I did need it.
Make friends outside of your partner - have 'your own life' just as you would if your fiance moved to the UK. Find some podcasts/TV shows/sport that you enjoy in the UK, and make sure to access them on a regular basis once you're living in the US (I was surprised how much I missed hearing my own accent after a long time). Figure out what simple material stuff you'll miss from home (food is my prime example) and make sure you have some on hand, or know where to get it. Set up a regular skype schedule with your close family. That way, you'll have a routine into which 'seeing them' occurs. If they don't skype, make sure you both make a time to call regularly. If you can afford it, book a ticket home, but not for a while...Going home when you feel homesick isn't a solution (in my opinion)...you need to make Philly your home. So don't book a ticket for six month's time...Plan to go home to visit, but in a year - once you've had time to establish your home in the US. Make sure that your fiance is willing and happy to make "her home" into "your home"...there's nothing worse than coming home and feeling like you're dropping into someone else's life. Good luck!

No, unfortunately not...
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The distinction between a wedding and a wedding-party is difficult to make, I think. At least from an outside perspective.
To me, a marriage is a legal agreement, and so (if we do it) it wouldn't be a marriage because it won't be legal.
I.e. the lack of legal status is the very thing that makes it a non-wedding.
In my country, the laws are very clear. A marriage is only a real marriage if it is registered with the Government department for these things.
A de-facto relationship only occurs if you live together in a 'marriage-type relationship' for at least 12 months. This is also not the case because he lives in the US, and I live here.
In light of the above, I would call it a wedding-type party, and not a marriage.
Nevertheless, I understand the points made, and thank you all for your advice.
We will re-assess our situation and see what our other options are.

No, unfortunately not...
----
The distinction between a wedding and a wedding-party is difficult to make, I think. At least from an outside perspective.
To me, a marriage is a legal agreement, and so (if we do it) it wouldn't be a marriage because it won't be legal.
I.e. the lack of legal status is the very thing that makes it a non-wedding.
In my country, the laws are very clear. A marriage is only a real marriage if it is registered with the Government department for these things.
A de-facto relationship only occurs if you live together in a 'marriage-type relationship' for at least 12 months. This is also not the case because he lives in the US, and I live here.
In light of the above, I would call it a wedding-type party, and not a marriage.
Nevertheless, I understand the points made, and thank you all for your advice.
We will re-assess our situation and see what our other options are.

In my experience, the first few weeks, and even months, are not so much the problem - things will be new and exciting. You'll be learning about new systems and a new way of life, more-or-less....and that will keep you preoccupied.
It's once you're comfortable enough to know your way around (literally and metaphorically) and things aren't new and exciting any more, and you've kind of got into the daily habits of life that you miss your family, because they won't be part of the daily habits of your life like they once were.
Unless you're a naturally 'busy, busy, busy person', I think it will be hard to keep making yourself busy in the long-term in order to stave off homesickness.
I'm lucky, that I don't really suffer from home-sickness, and was largely fine living away from home for years at a time, but these are some things that I found that helped me when I did need it.
Make friends outside of your partner - have 'your own life' just as you would if your fiance moved to the UK. Find some podcasts/TV shows/sport that you enjoy in the UK, and make sure to access them on a regular basis once you're living in the US (I was surprised how much I missed hearing my own accent after a long time). Figure out what simple material stuff you'll miss from home (food is my prime example) and make sure you have some on hand, or know where to get it. Set up a regular skype schedule with your close family. That way, you'll have a routine into which 'seeing them' occurs. If they don't skype, make sure you both make a time to call regularly. If you can afford it, book a ticket home, but not for a while...Going home when you feel homesick isn't a solution (in my opinion)...you need to make Philly your home. So don't book a ticket for six month's time...Plan to go home to visit, but in a year - once you've had time to establish your home in the US. Make sure that your fiance is willing and happy to make "her home" into "your home"...there's nothing worse than coming home and feeling like you're dropping into someone else's life. Good luck!

In my experience, the first few weeks, and even months, are not so much the problem - things will be new and exciting. You'll be learning about new systems and a new way of life, more-or-less....and that will keep you preoccupied.
It's once you're comfortable enough to know your way around (literally and metaphorically) and things aren't new and exciting any more, and you've kind of got into the daily habits of life that you miss your family, because they won't be part of the daily habits of your life like they once were.
Unless you're a naturally 'busy, busy, busy person', I think it will be hard to keep making yourself busy in the long-term in order to stave off homesickness.
I'm lucky, that I don't really suffer from home-sickness, and was largely fine living away from home for years at a time, but these are some things that I found that helped me when I did need it.
Make friends outside of your partner - have 'your own life' just as you would if your fiance moved to the UK. Find some podcasts/TV shows/sport that you enjoy in the UK, and make sure to access them on a regular basis once you're living in the US (I was surprised how much I missed hearing my own accent after a long time). Figure out what simple material stuff you'll miss from home (food is my prime example) and make sure you have some on hand, or know where to get it. Set up a regular skype schedule with your close family. That way, you'll have a routine into which 'seeing them' occurs. If they don't skype, make sure you both make a time to call regularly. If you can afford it, book a ticket home, but not for a while...Going home when you feel homesick isn't a solution (in my opinion)...you need to make Philly your home. So don't book a ticket for six month's time...Plan to go home to visit, but in a year - once you've had time to establish your home in the US. Make sure that your fiance is willing and happy to make "her home" into "your home"...there's nothing worse than coming home and feeling like you're dropping into someone else's life. Good luck!

In my experience, the first few weeks, and even months, are not so much the problem - things will be new and exciting. You'll be learning about new systems and a new way of life, more-or-less....and that will keep you preoccupied.
It's once you're comfortable enough to know your way around (literally and metaphorically) and things aren't new and exciting any more, and you've kind of got into the daily habits of life that you miss your family, because they won't be part of the daily habits of your life like they once were.
Unless you're a naturally 'busy, busy, busy person', I think it will be hard to keep making yourself busy in the long-term in order to stave off homesickness.
I'm lucky, that I don't really suffer from home-sickness, and was largely fine living away from home for years at a time, but these are some things that I found that helped me when I did need it.
Make friends outside of your partner - have 'your own life' just as you would if your fiance moved to the UK. Find some podcasts/TV shows/sport that you enjoy in the UK, and make sure to access them on a regular basis once you're living in the US (I was surprised how much I missed hearing my own accent after a long time). Figure out what simple material stuff you'll miss from home (food is my prime example) and make sure you have some on hand, or know where to get it. Set up a regular skype schedule with your close family. That way, you'll have a routine into which 'seeing them' occurs. If they don't skype, make sure you both make a time to call regularly. If you can afford it, book a ticket home, but not for a while...Going home when you feel homesick isn't a solution (in my opinion)...you need to make Philly your home. So don't book a ticket for six month's time...Plan to go home to visit, but in a year - once you've had time to establish your home in the US. Make sure that your fiance is willing and happy to make "her home" into "your home"...there's nothing worse than coming home and feeling like you're dropping into someone else's life. Good luck!

In my experience, the first few weeks, and even months, are not so much the problem - things will be new and exciting. You'll be learning about new systems and a new way of life, more-or-less....and that will keep you preoccupied.
It's once you're comfortable enough to know your way around (literally and metaphorically) and things aren't new and exciting any more, and you've kind of got into the daily habits of life that you miss your family, because they won't be part of the daily habits of your life like they once were.
Unless you're a naturally 'busy, busy, busy person', I think it will be hard to keep making yourself busy in the long-term in order to stave off homesickness.
I'm lucky, that I don't really suffer from home-sickness, and was largely fine living away from home for years at a time, but these are some things that I found that helped me when I did need it.
Make friends outside of your partner - have 'your own life' just as you would if your fiance moved to the UK. Find some podcasts/TV shows/sport that you enjoy in the UK, and make sure to access them on a regular basis once you're living in the US (I was surprised how much I missed hearing my own accent after a long time). Figure out what simple material stuff you'll miss from home (food is my prime example) and make sure you have some on hand, or know where to get it. Set up a regular skype schedule with your close family. That way, you'll have a routine into which 'seeing them' occurs. If they don't skype, make sure you both make a time to call regularly. If you can afford it, book a ticket home, but not for a while...Going home when you feel homesick isn't a solution (in my opinion)...you need to make Philly your home. So don't book a ticket for six month's time...Plan to go home to visit, but in a year - once you've had time to establish your home in the US. Make sure that your fiance is willing and happy to make "her home" into "your home"...there's nothing worse than coming home and feeling like you're dropping into someone else's life. Good luck!

In my experience, the first few weeks, and even months, are not so much the problem - things will be new and exciting. You'll be learning about new systems and a new way of life, more-or-less....and that will keep you preoccupied.
It's once you're comfortable enough to know your way around (literally and metaphorically) and things aren't new and exciting any more, and you've kind of got into the daily habits of life that you miss your family, because they won't be part of the daily habits of your life like they once were.
Unless you're a naturally 'busy, busy, busy person', I think it will be hard to keep making yourself busy in the long-term in order to stave off homesickness.
I'm lucky, that I don't really suffer from home-sickness, and was largely fine living away from home for years at a time, but these are some things that I found that helped me when I did need it.
Make friends outside of your partner - have 'your own life' just as you would if your fiance moved to the UK. Find some podcasts/TV shows/sport that you enjoy in the UK, and make sure to access them on a regular basis once you're living in the US (I was surprised how much I missed hearing my own accent after a long time). Figure out what simple material stuff you'll miss from home (food is my prime example) and make sure you have some on hand, or know where to get it. Set up a regular skype schedule with your close family. That way, you'll have a routine into which 'seeing them' occurs. If they don't skype, make sure you both make a time to call regularly. If you can afford it, book a ticket home, but not for a while...Going home when you feel homesick isn't a solution (in my opinion)...you need to make Philly your home. So don't book a ticket for six month's time...Plan to go home to visit, but in a year - once you've had time to establish your home in the US. Make sure that your fiance is willing and happy to make "her home" into "your home"...there's nothing worse than coming home and feeling like you're dropping into someone else's life. Good luck!

In my experience, the first few weeks, and even months, are not so much the problem - things will be new and exciting. You'll be learning about new systems and a new way of life, more-or-less....and that will keep you preoccupied.
It's once you're comfortable enough to know your way around (literally and metaphorically) and things aren't new and exciting any more, and you've kind of got into the daily habits of life that you miss your family, because they won't be part of the daily habits of your life like they once were.
Unless you're a naturally 'busy, busy, busy person', I think it will be hard to keep making yourself busy in the long-term in order to stave off homesickness.
I'm lucky, that I don't really suffer from home-sickness, and was largely fine living away from home for years at a time, but these are some things that I found that helped me when I did need it.
Make friends outside of your partner - have 'your own life' just as you would if your fiance moved to the UK. Find some podcasts/TV shows/sport that you enjoy in the UK, and make sure to access them on a regular basis once you're living in the US (I was surprised how much I missed hearing my own accent after a long time). Figure out what simple material stuff you'll miss from home (food is my prime example) and make sure you have some on hand, or know where to get it. Set up a regular skype schedule with your close family. That way, you'll have a routine into which 'seeing them' occurs. If they don't skype, make sure you both make a time to call regularly. If you can afford it, book a ticket home, but not for a while...Going home when you feel homesick isn't a solution (in my opinion)...you need to make Philly your home. So don't book a ticket for six month's time...Plan to go home to visit, but in a year - once you've had time to establish your home in the US. Make sure that your fiance is willing and happy to make "her home" into "your home"...there's nothing worse than coming home and feeling like you're dropping into someone else's life. Good luck!

In my experience, the first few weeks, and even months, are not so much the problem - things will be new and exciting. You'll be learning about new systems and a new way of life, more-or-less....and that will keep you preoccupied.
It's once you're comfortable enough to know your way around (literally and metaphorically) and things aren't new and exciting any more, and you've kind of got into the daily habits of life that you miss your family, because they won't be part of the daily habits of your life like they once were.
Unless you're a naturally 'busy, busy, busy person', I think it will be hard to keep making yourself busy in the long-term in order to stave off homesickness.
I'm lucky, that I don't really suffer from home-sickness, and was largely fine living away from home for years at a time, but these are some things that I found that helped me when I did need it.
Make friends outside of your partner - have 'your own life' just as you would if your fiance moved to the UK. Find some podcasts/TV shows/sport that you enjoy in the UK, and make sure to access them on a regular basis once you're living in the US (I was surprised how much I missed hearing my own accent after a long time). Figure out what simple material stuff you'll miss from home (food is my prime example) and make sure you have some on hand, or know where to get it. Set up a regular skype schedule with your close family. That way, you'll have a routine into which 'seeing them' occurs. If they don't skype, make sure you both make a time to call regularly. If you can afford it, book a ticket home, but not for a while...Going home when you feel homesick isn't a solution (in my opinion)...you need to make Philly your home. So don't book a ticket for six month's time...Plan to go home to visit, but in a year - once you've had time to establish your home in the US. Make sure that your fiance is willing and happy to make "her home" into "your home"...there's nothing worse than coming home and feeling like you're dropping into someone else's life. Good luck!