Lulu12345

The honest truth: The government advises you to not do this and most people who have been through this process will also advise you not to do this. Why? Because anything can happen and you have no way of knowing what will happen with your case. Things go wrong, go missing, get delayed even in uncomplicated cases and easy embassies like London.
 
Two easy ways: A big wedding isn't a requirement, but finishing the terms of your K1 and filing for AOS is important and getting other things set up like an SSN and health insurance is also important. A lot of people simply choose to wed at a courthouse to get the ball rolling and then have the big bash later when things can be planned out together with confidence. OR once the visa is issued the foreign fiancé has up to 6 months from the date of their medical to enter the US - leaving you plenty of time to plan without worry.
 
Our reality: We changed our floating wedding date at least three times waiting for the process to complete. It took nearly a year to finish. We didn't want any do-overs so we did what no one recommends and planned our wedding throughout. Just because we did it, doesn't mean I recommend it though. BUT if you insist on doing it, there are some things you can do without dropping money on reserving venues until the visa is in hand. You can start with the little things - most of our décor stuff was DIY so supplies were purchased well ahead of time. My dress and accessories were purchased very early on during off peak sale months and we made fittings for very far down the road. Everything else though that required money or deposits such as hotel rooms, airfare, venues, cake baker, photographer, and officiant were not done until we knew the date of his interview. This is still a big risk to take. Even with the venue we did not commit 100% (we did a tentative verbal agreement first) to putting a deposit until the day after his interview. Unless you can find a photographer that is willing to work with you that will be the hardest to book at short notice, but I found that if you explain your situation most are willing to work with you, and if they aren't then they don't really want your business and you're better off anyway. We still waited several weeks after he had his visa to be able to finalize the remaining items left and give him a chance to say goodbye. But as I said with up to six months to enter - one could take longer to sort confirming financials out. Invites were done online and completed the day of his interview result and all financial items were finalized in cash at that point. The remaining stuff like hair and makeup consults and other items that required his assistance were not finished until he arrived. We did not have a lavish thing - a simple 20 guest wedding at an waterfront outdoor venue that offered a restaurant (so we didn't have to worry about catering but we did pick our menu), and a cottage for the wedding party. If you're having a bigger wedding involving catering or stuff you need to put up and tear down yourself or real flowers, this would be a nightmare to plan under such scenarios... Most of our guests were coming in from overseas or across country so planning that and transport was especially difficult. So I can say we planned the wedding throughout the process, but it was also stressful and anxiety-ridden too. It worked of course and despite hiccups (one week I literally thought I was going to have to fire the venue and start looking for another with a few weeks to go), Davids Bridal LOST my mom and MoH dress three times and ruined one of the gowns (!!!)... but looking back I realize that so many more things could have happened to delay and cause real headaches for us. So it's why I don't recommend it. We did it yes, and it was a beautiful result... but planning a wedding is stressful enough, this simply adds to it. Can't even imagine how much of a headache a large wedding would pose.
 
Tips if you're persisting: Start early with the small easy stuff you can buy ahead of time. Use spreadsheets to cost compare if you want to be thrifty. Take careful notice of reviews from weddingwire. Etsy and weddingpaperdivas are wonderful resources. Play hardball with venues that seem dismissive of your situation and really question them on what happens if you need to change a date suddenly.

Anyone have trouble saving their ds160 over the last few days between filling it out?

We got APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Didn't update app again!   Just came in mail.  Approved Jan 26th.  Mailed Jan 29th.  USPS never showed coming either on their informed delivery. 
 
I'm still gonna be around till everyone is done!  This place has been great!  Never thought it would be such a great place with such amazing people here!  Everyone is so helpful!  I'm gonna need a lot of help on next steps.  I'm blurry on NVC and when everything is to happen. 

Called and received my NVC number today!!! Very excited and could hardly function at work.
NVC received: 1/18/2018 and NVC number created: 1/26/2018

Nope.  Confusion there is we are doing immigrant visa but skip that step.

Called and received my NVC number today!!! Very excited and could hardly function at work.
NVC received: 1/18/2018 and NVC number created: 1/26/2018

I've contacted the Ombudsman on 1/10 and it takes 45 days for a response back. I've contacted my senator and it's the same thing. 

Ok, good.  They never take that long.  Hope hear something!!!

Called and received my NVC number today!!! Very excited and could hardly function at work.
NVC received: 1/18/2018 and NVC number created: 1/26/2018

Called and received my NVC number today!!! Very excited and could hardly function at work.
NVC received: 1/18/2018 and NVC number created: 1/26/2018

Called and received my NVC number today!!! Very excited and could hardly function at work.
NVC received: 1/18/2018 and NVC number created: 1/26/2018

VISA APPROVED !!!! It was soft and quick there...My foreign fiance was able to come in too.

I got a case number!!!! finally! Funny thing they kept telling me my case was recieved on the 17th but according to your decorder @Shoegum my case didn't get to them till 5/25 
 

Finally I got case number!! 
They received 18th, and our case is already embassy in my country!!! The trucker says “ ready” already!! 
 
 

Thank you so much!!! I asked twice the same hospital about my thyroids and what shot my son and I need!! Now you reminds me about tattoos!! Do you have any?? I have one but not big, but cute... hopefully they don’t mind...!! 
 
 

I will get instruction from embassy in a week!! I booked medical on Feb 9, and flight to my fiancé in Hawaii March 11th. 
Now just waiting for the instruction and go to police, and book interview!!! Can’t wait!! 

Called and received my NVC number today!!! Very excited and could hardly function at work.
NVC received: 1/18/2018 and NVC number created: 1/26/2018

I had my health exam in Tokyo at the hospital in Shinjuku, Shimo-Ochiai Seino International Catholic hospital. Reservation is by phone only but I reserved on Monday this week and my appointment can be squeezed on Friday (today). Only one slot was left by then I heard.
 
Sister nurses were so kind and supportive and everything went smooth. Thanks to @Naes on the selection of the hospital. Their service was better than I was imagining!
 
I got two preventive injections💉💉both on right and left arms..diphtheria (in 2種混合)and mumps (おたふく).
 
what I noticed is for diphtheria, seems you have to take every 10 years so even if you had once or twice while 1-5 years old, you'll need to take again.
 
But total cost was about ¥36,000 yen incl. two diffferent injections so was not bad at all I guess. Until end of February, Infulenza injection is also available but for me I had it already so didn't take this time.
 
Different topics - Tattoo seems to be sensitive for US visa related these days. You'll be asked 2-3 times if you have it or not and the doctor will check with only underwear on. 
 
Anyhow everything went smooth and I was told I can get the final result in 3 days (after 4pm) excluding weekends. I might as well visit and get it directly at the hospital.
 
Just FYI above @Minori
 
 
 

EEEEEEE!
 
Just got an email that the visa is on its way to Australia. The NOA2 was 2017-11-29 and NVC approval and being sent to the embassy is 2018-01-26. Also it says in a second email that the Syndey accepted expedited processing.... I didn't ask for that but I'll take it!
 
Again thank you all for helping keep me sane during all of this.

I copied this from the NVC forum. An update regarding the government shutdown.
 
The US Govt is shutdown due to disagreements in the budget.
How long will it be? unknown, my opinion is less than 1 week
How will it effect Visa applications? it won't
USCIS and the US embassy visa's are funded by the fees that we pay so they stay open. 
very very little effect at all maybe some phone operators are off but we won't know that until Monday.
DON"T WORRY ABOUT IT!!! I was here in the last shutdown and pretty much nothing happened,
How the Federal Government Shutdown Affects U.S. Immigration Services.
The last time it happened there was very very little effect on the family visa process (K1 included) USCIS and embassies continued to work like normal.
The Department of State (DOS):
Since DOS offices are usually funded for a two-year period, DOS will continue to process such applications as long as sufficient funds are available to execute consular services. Nevertheless, past experiences with similar shutdowns suggest that any applications filed during this period will experience significant delays in processing. If the shutdown becomes protracted, it is possible that DOS will suspend all services other than emergency support for U.S. citizens abroad. We, therefore recommend that applicants plan their travel accordingly and if they must apply for visas during the government shut-down, that they attempt to schedule the earliest appointment possible.
NVC is part of DOS, and is funded by the fees they collect they are open but maybe the phone operators maybe off, the other workers continue to work and process applications.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
they continue to process I-129f and I-130's. But background checks with the FBI could be delayed. 
Key USCIS systems will be suspended or limited. The USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS), which includes E-Verify, will not be operational. While E-Verify is non-operational, companies will not be able to verify new employee eligibility or enroll them into the system.
Why would the gov't shutdown? (no politcs) 
basically out gov't can not agree on a budget and the funding (money) stops.
How long will the shutdown be? we don't even know if it will happen today or not, I say it would only last a few days at most.
STATE DEPARTMENT
Many State Department operations will continue in a shutdown. Passport and visa processing, which are largely self-funded by consumer fees, will not shut down. The agency's main headquarters in Washington, in consultation with the nearly 300 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions around the world, will draw up lists of nonessential employees who will be furloughed.
HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT (includes USCIS )
A department spokesman said nearly 90 percent of Homeland Security employees are considered essential and will continue to perform their duties during a government shutdown.
That means most Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Administration workers will stay on the job, according to the department's shutdown plan, dated Friday.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be staffed at about 78 percent, meaning more than 15,000 of the agency's employees will keep working. The Secret Service, also part of Homeland Security, will retain more than 5,700 employees during the shutdown.
Adjudications at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency at the US Department of Homeland Security that reviews nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions and applications for immigration benefits, is fee-funded, and should continue on a normal schedule. Visa processing at US Department of State consular posts would likely not be affected for the same reason, at least initially, though an extended shutdown could lead to a suspension of services other than emergency support for US citizens. If posts are forced to scale back, past experience suggests that visa applications may be affected first. During the 1995 and 1996 shutdowns, which together lasted 27 days, an estimated 20,000–30,000 visa applications went unprocessed every day. Officers with US Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are “essential” personnel, which means these agencies should also operate on a normal schedule.

Chin up guys. You are in the home stretch now! If you listen closely you can hear that clock ticking. Every second you are closer to your loved one. Stay strong and remember, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Let's show the US government what we are made of!

This really sucks. Ever since this process started in may it always feels like we're making one step and going two back again. Whenever there's the smallest sign of hope.. boom! they ruin it for us:( I feel sad and I don't understand why they let this happen. Now their own citizens are the ones suffering the most cause they're not getting paid.. and our cases finally make it to the embassy and then just nothing happens again. Takin this uncertainty and not knowing when if ever this will end starts to be painful 
sorry for so much negativity but that's all I have today 

Hello everyone  
For those who are interested hearing about my medical experience in Melbourne AUS.....here it is. Before I even left for the medical I drank a lot of water with lemon and greens powder to make my blood extra healthy lol.  
So my appointment was at 12:30pm, I arrived 12:20 and wasn't seen till 12:45...I completed some basic paper work in the meantime. Dr Charles called me in and he was very nice, I was comfortable with him. He asked me A BUNCH of questions about my health, took my blood pressure. All was good. Then he tested my eye sight, checked my eyes and ears, mouth, breathing, hight and weight. He then sent me into another room where I got my blood drawn. The nurse was lovely and gentle with me as I felt uneasy about getting a needle, lol. It freakin hurt  but I'm a baby like that. Getting the blood taken alone was 46$ from memory. She gave me a little cup to do a pee sample, so I did that. After I went back to see Dr Charles, he had me lay down on the bed while the nurse was present. He put his hands on both sides of my neck to check my thyroid, checked more breathing, armpits, checked groin area just slightly (bit uncomfortable moment for me. hehe). And....that was it. I adjusted my clothing and sat next to him at his desk. He gave me the option to get vaccinated now or when I have to file for AOS. I said I will do it now just to get it over with and have my medical confirmed as "complete". However I did not get my vaccines YET because he is waiting on my blood test results to determine if I need any extra vaccines? and he is giving me the chance to find my vaccine records (I looked for them everywhere at home, my mother had a baby book where everything was put down but its lost now so... ) 
He mentioned 3 vaccines I would defiantly get when I come back on Wednesday. They were for measles, rubella and...cant remember the last one  sorry. So thats happening soon. I paid 580$ for everything and gave 6 passport photos. I then had to get the X-ray for my chest, which was in another building not too far off at all. The receptionist gave me the address on an envelope which I was not allowed to open.  I presented the envelope to the receptionist at the Victoria House Medical Imaging place. I waited not even 5 mins and was called in. Ive never had an x-ray in my life. I changed into a purple robe sort of thing and was told to just press myself onto the machine. The lady scanned me from her computer. Over and done with very fast. The x-ray was included in the 580$ that I paid at the medical. I am not looking forward to those extra needles to say the least. BUT OH WELL. the things I do for love...
Visa Interview is in 9 days!! 

NVC update (here and on spreadsheet)
Called NVC extension 7. He told me to call ext. 5.  Called extension 5.  She asked for my receipt number and date of approval on my approval sheet.  I said I don't have it in front of me but I think it was Dec 11th/12th.  She said I need it in front of me with the exact date.  I said the guy I just called told me to call ext. 5 for an update.  She said, "he told to you to call ext. 5. okay, let me put in your information again."  She said they just received my case today and it will take 2 weeks to process." She tried to give me the run around because I did not have the approval paper in front of me 

Just sceduled interview appointment in US Embassy in Moscow.. Just 29 of March    the earliest possible date. Just 10 slots. 
 
NOA-2 - 04 Nov 2017