Working after the marriage

After an American is legally married to a brit in the UK, what is the length of time before you are legally eligible to work?

If you entered as a spouse, you can work immediately.  If you entered as a fiancee', you can't work until you get your FLR.

Ok so then lets say the next day right after my wedding, I can go off and apply for jobs?

If you're getting married in the UK, you can't work until you have applied for and received your FLR.  I don't know about the legalities of applying for jobs without your FLR, but no one can legally hire you without it.

How long does it take to get the FLR

so i am wondering now if it would be wiser to get married in the US then fly back to the UK. i really need to work as soon as possible

You can apply in person for your FLR (£500 -- Liverpool, Croydon, Birmingham, or Glasgow) or you can apply by post (£335).  Based on people's experiences here, the postal application takes 2-4 weeks.

If you need to work right away, then marrying in the US or applying in person for your FLR would be your options.

damn another 500 quid! BLOODY HELL!... my boyfriend is gonna freak! haha

damn another 500 quid! BLOODY HELL!... my boyfriend is gonna freak! haha

Only if you go in  person.  We did ours by post and got it back a month later.