One month till we apply, Any Advice?

So the countdown begins, we are starting the fiance' visa application January 1st to kickstart our year.
We're currently trying to get all paperwork together and add the most recent things as we go along.
Any advice from others who've been thru this?

I wish that someone had told me the following: The waiting, no matter if it is 4 days or 4 months, after they get the package from you... Is a killer. It is going to be a lot harder then you think, because there are so many moments of 'What If...' that suddenly sneak into your mind... So, take extra good care of yourself leading up to that point, and all through the process. Eat well, try to get enough sleep, be social, and regularly talk with as many friends as possible.

(Basically, don't do what I did, which consisted of hitting 'Refresh' on my gmail account for 8 hours a day, for 4 straight days, until we got the approval!) 

I totally agree with LaraMascara.    I was refreshing Gmail whenever I stepped away from it (in case I didn't hear it when I was in the other room) for the month it took them to process our visa.  Luckily, after a few weeks of waiting nervously I decided to visit my grandmothers and wound up getting the 'your visa has been issued' email while I was in the shower the day I was to head back to my parents.    It was certainly nice to get it, but the waiting was torture.

Be sure to submit the documents they ask for and not more.  I went crazy thinking of every little thing I could do (we had receipts or photos of gifts we gave each other and letters from both our families supporting us- in hindsight, that was overkill).  It's really hard to acknowledge while your applying, but as long as you meet the requirements and submit the documents they ask for, you should be fine.    The other stuff did make me feel better, but they probably didn't even look at it and it was stress to get it together. 

We decided not to tell anyone except a select few we were applying.  We didn't want to be barraged with people asking if we heard back or for updates when we had no way of knowing anything at all.    We figured people would have a hard time comprehending that just because most settlement visas were decided in x number of days a few months ago, ours might take longer and that does not mean it is being denied.    Not having to answer those questions definitely helped the waiting.    We didn't tell anyone we were even engaged until after the visa was issued. 

Good luck! 

I applied for a fiancée visa last year around this time.  I'd echo LaraMascara's sentiments and recommend that you continue to live your U.S. life while you are compiling the paperwork, completing the application, and while you are waiting to hear back.

Another piece of advice is that, based only on my own experience, you shouldn't be surprised if you feel a bit unusual.  For me, completing the application, giving my biometrics, and taking the package to the post office were actions that made the move seem very real.  I was, to my surprise, very nervous when I went to give my biometrics; the very kind woman at the Application Support Center had to tell me to take some deep breaths because my fingers were shaking too much for her to do her job.  I'm normally quite calm, so this was a bit of a surprise.

I wish you well as you complete the application process.

I wish that someone had told me the following: The waiting, no matter if it is 4 days or 4 months, after they get the package from you... Is a killer. It is going to be a lot harder then you think, because there are so many moments of 'What If...' that suddenly sneak into your mind...

I just UPSed my packet last night, and it's supposed to arrive in New York tomorrow  morning.  Meanwhile, I have been poring over the UKBA website, looking at things I might've missed.  I'm obsessing over my proof of relationship stuff, thinking of additional things I could have included.  So it's clearly going to be a long wait for me.  I'm obsessing already!  I'm so glad I paid for priority... I don't know the difference in processing time, but based on how I feel right now, shorter is definitely better.  *goes back to waiting anxiously*

Good luck!   

When you get the 'visa approved' email from the UKBA, you'll feel so relieved.    Not to mention excited when you are booking tickets to actually come over! 

My advice is to always find the money to pay for priority. How much is your and your partner's peace of mind worth? For me and mine, it's priceless.

I'll be paying for priority without a doubt!
I'm currently trying to purge myself of clothes I don't need, get paperwork together + dealing with xmas and extended family coming out and trying to get my car ready to be put up for sale at the end of the month. So stressful, i'm dreading actually doing the application!

I'm currently trying to purge myself of clothes I don't need, get paperwork together + dealing with xmas and extended family coming out and trying to get my car ready to be put up for sale at the end of the month.

Are you taking much with you?  I'm at the purging stage myself.  It's hard to stuff a life into a few suitcases isn't it?  I'm still debating with myself over just what stuff I can't get rid of and if trying to ship it is worth it.

I wish you a lovely holiday season, peace of mind and a speedy (and positive) approval process!  We'll get through this!

I'm trying to get everything in 3 suitcases! lol I keep trying to think of it as "145lbs" of goodies to bring (gotta give a few pounds for suitcase weight) but It's so hard.
 
When are you starting your application?