SHANE (USA)

We included several photos with the petition, and took a batch to the embassy as well. A few points:
1) T-Bone was right, embassies are different, and some are tougher than others - so reading the embassy review can be helpful.
2) Sending photos will not hurt your petition. We focused on pics of both of us with Vika's family in Ukraine. There were no dates on them, other than what I wrote on the back.
3) Going to the interview can be helpful. There are some embassies where the petitioner is not allowed to attend, so check. Standing next to your SO during the interview is absolute proof that you met face-to-face during the past two years.

I actually decided to front load after consulting with the forum. While I felt better about front loading and it is more expensive with the copying, I weighed on the fact that Manila is the consulate. Philippines has tons of red tape which makes my application vulnerable to other people's mistakes. As many have pointed out on this forum, you are at the mercy of the IO. I wouldn't want to leave it chance to delay my love one from coming here.
While I front loaded, I had to still weed out a lot of unnecessary evidence: quality over quantity. That means it is hard to put a ball park on the photos. Just use reasonable judgment to prove that you met in person within two years of the filing. As for me, I am confident that I will be approved by the USCIS, but I worry about the consulates. Their decisions are subjective. Any mistakes on their part is a delay on my part.

In fact, every previous response in this thread was an indication of incomplete thinking. Please be more aware of the system and of the big picture.For petition approval, USCIS requires NO photos as evidence. Photos are secondary evidence. However, some consulates are known for not accepting evidence brought to visa interviews. It therefore behooves filers of K-1 or CR-1 petitions to include evidence that the consulate will see after USCIS sends the approved petition package to the consulate in preparation for the visa-interview process. This is called front-loading, and there are dozens of threads about it. The consulates are not supposed to refuse visas on the basis of evidence that USCIS has seen.
The OP didn't say which consulate he'd be dealing with, but if it's Australia, that's normally not a difficult one at all.

No just use the space provided on the application and keep it brief then attach you proof of the meeting(s).

You fill in the box on the petition.
If the answer doesn't fit in there for whatever reason (>90% of the time it should fit), you can add an attachment. It does not need to be signed by both parties or written by both parties....it's just answering a question like any other question on the I-129F.

Like above. The statement of how we met can be a brief, 1-2 sentences or an attachment if you wish to explain more.
The letters of intent to marry are simple statements from each party stating they intend to marry within the 90 days if approved for a K-1 visa, and then signed.This can be scanned by the beneficiary and emailed to you the petitioner to print off.

You're confusing 2 separate requirements:
1) Circumstances of meeting with the past 2 years. The size of the box should be indicative of the length they are expecting.
2) Signed letters of intent to marry. One from the petitioner and one from the beneficiary are suggested. Some people do one letter signed by both parties, which shouldn't be an issue either.

My now husband and I met 4 years before we applied for the K1, we just wrote when and how we met and that we have traveled to see each other since in about 3 or 4 sentences. We got approved without RFE (we sent pictures, passport stamps, tickets and hotel bookings from the 2 years before we applied as evidence)

We did not explain how we originally came to know each other.   We simply listed our meeting dates, and that info was supported with passport stamps and the I-94.
 
No RFEs or problems at all.

The question is about the first in-person meeting.  Read the questions carefully and literally within the context of the section you are in.  The IMB question gets confused with the meeting question.  They do not care if you met online unless it was an IMB.  They ask you to describe your first meeting in person.  All we said was that we met at the White Moon Bar at Hotel H20 and the date.  We were approved.

That is what I would do.   I knock out the thin ones first and have a sense of accomplishment!  
 
Certain petitions need to be front loaded.  But more than a few pages of chats or anything else is repetitive.

Manila is actually not high fraud for fiance or spousal visas. Most NIVs, yes, but not those. Manila issues almost 1 out of every 5 K-1 visas in the world (circa 2017/2018...I haven't checked 2019).
The issue is there is a myth that one should provide as much evidence as they can. Quality >> quantity. presenting 600 pages of chat means they will likely read none of them and ignore all of them. Evidence of dating for a long period of time, regular visits, etc. is infinitely more important than pages of chats, photos, etc. that people often provide
 
But as noted above, USCIS doesn't approve or deny an I-129F petition based on any relationship evidence. Providing evidence of it is not in the instructions.
It may or may not be useful in high fraud cases or those with certain consulates where the CO reviews the entire packet beforehand.
 
Note that this is different than a spousal visa. The I-130 does request bona fide marriage evidence with the petition, and USCIS has issed an RFE or even denied cases for a lack of it.
The advice on the type of evidence to send (i.e. 600 pags of chat does no good) still applies, though.

Different strokes for different folks. There was a time that people abandoned their "independence" when they got married and summarily combined their homes, finances and fates. Believe it or not, some of the people -- even American citizens -- found meaning and happiness in staying home and raising a family and sharing all the household possessions and money as a unit. For some people, though an exceedingly small number in the US, that is still the case.
 
 

While I wholeheartedly agree that CR1 is the safer route to go, both in terms of being prioritized in the process as well as what the beneficiary spouse is able to do as soon as the arrive in the US, there are also extraordinary barriers to getting legally married in this current situation. Travels are mostly still very limited globally, so it is unlikely that the USC fiancee will be able to fly over for the marriage ceremony (unless both parties are already residing together outside the US). Even before the pandemic, getting married to a foreign national can be a bureaucratic nightmare in some countries, which is why many have chosen to legalize their marriage in the US, where the requirements are far simpler. So pursue whichever one works for you

Just to add to that - when people are positive about the K1 experience, it's important to take note as to whether they're the petitioner or the beneficiary (ie, the American or the immigrant)...only reason I say that is that the comment above from someone who's filed 2 times, is presumably from an American petitioner...and as a petitioner, you don't really get to experience the highs or lows of a K1 at all. It's not you that's trapped at home - it's not you that feels like you have no independence or that you're a financial drain - it's the beneficiary that gets impacted primarily.
 
It's also definitely worth thinking about what type of person the beneficiary is and what their plans or experiences are...if they plan to be a stay at home wife/husband and don't already have experience of being independent (working, driving, etc), the K1 might be right for them...but if that's not their plans/experiences, they may find the K1 more of a negative experience.

I also wouldn't recommend the K1, which we did. In the middle of the process, we realized we should have gotten married at done the CR1 but at that point, it wasn't worth the hassle to refile because ultimately it would have taken even longer. Things were really tough during AOS for my husband and that was way before the virus where the EAD card wait was only 5-7 months and it was free. With the potentially much longer wait and the fees rising, I would never advise anyone to do the K1. Definitely try to do the CR1. It is cheaper and better in the long run.

I really regret choosing the K1. We were going to get married in December 2019 and the decision was made to do the k1 instead so we wouldn’t have to spend as much time apart. If I could go back and change that decision I 100% would. 

Another K1 here, also agree that I wouldn't recommend it.
 
I'm lucky that my now-husband has a very well-paying job, so for the past 7.5 months that I've been here, me not working hasn't been a problem - and he tells me to buy anything I want ...however, despite all that, I've still not felt comfortable spending his money as I would my own - I miss working and having my own income! Not being able to work strips you of your independence - it's hard. Plus, going to work would give you opportunities to meet new people and make new friends, rather than sitting at home bored...
 
With a CR1, being able to work when you first move here, is so, so valuable.

We did a K-1, and I totally agree.  We did not realize at the beginning of the process, that we happen to live in a jurisdiction with 13-26 month waits for AOS interviews.  
 
As it was, we felt quite lucky to have our interview after only 14 months. January 30th of this year, just before COVID blew up.  

I also did the K1 and I don't recommend it. And my experience was much better than what is happening now and the long wait times that are about tomorrow follow. The drawbacks are real and they will become worse. 

oh God
 

Just submit your petition ASAP and hope for the best. Don’t watch or read the news daily it will drive you crazy. If you haven’t looked at the Poland portal check that out; especially further in the process as you can see reviews of embassy interviews, etc. 

I've haven't been a fan of K1's in a long time.  It really puts a strain on most relationships and does not really help the immigrant adjust. The only times I recommend them is then there are kids aging out and like in your case where CR1 in Mexico are backed far up.

Just file the I-129F now.  The I-134 comes into play at the consulate.  Review the income requirements in I-864p.   This is the minimum amount.  Consulates often will require more due to public charge concerns.
 
But looking at the spousal visa often makes for sense in that it is a smoother transition for Cameron to make to the US.  He is allowed to work and travel immediately on entry.  Much less paperwork and fees are required.   It is a lot less stress.   Spousal visa holders have been exempted from the recent travel bans.

Just keep in mind that everyone has different situations and preferences... for some K-1 works better, for others it's CR-1. We opted for a K-1 because it fits our needs and situation better. Plus due to travel restrictions and coronavirus, getting married is not so easy for some. Good luck and don't be discouraged!