Semi Shocked...

A few weeks ago Adam and I were talking about our future. I'd been thinking about maybe my next visit be for a few months. I was extreamly prepared to fight with him about it. I was ready to argue my opinion on the whole matter. I said "I think my next visit I should come for a few months..." I sat for a half a second (felt like 10 years) in anticipation of him going "I dunno, we'll see". To my suprise and utter shock he said "Yeah, that sounds like a great idea". I was in shock...I had prepared for a battle and in the end he totally agreed!

He's coming here in Oct this year for a 2 week visit. My idea was for me to go there early next year for a few months. The only problem is...we wanted to get married in November that year. If I go there for a few months next year we won't have the resources (money) to afford the visa/wedding/plane tickets...

Any Ideas? I've kind of went on a spending spree the last few months. I know, I know I bitched at him because he didn't save for May and then I go and spend all my money. My promise to myself and him is from this check on I'm going to put away $100 per check. It's going to be tight because they cut my hours at work and I also took a paycut for a less stressful position.

I'm trying to get all our information streight and make it as easy as possible to understand. I think he'll be a tad bit overwhelmed with all the stuff we'll have to do. I'm hoping we'll be able to get married in November...if not November then December.

To apply for the Fiance visa is this what we need?

My passport
His passport or a photocopy version that is noterized by a solicitor (every page even blank ones)
Letter of Intent from him saying how long we've known eachother, how we met, and all the mushy stuff.
His Bank Statements
Letters from Parents supporting our marriage and saying we could live with them until we get on our feet.
Letter from Employer stating your position, full-time position and annual salary
Letter from Landlord stating I have permission to live there
Personal Letters, photos, emails, cards


If you send it by mail do you get all those things back?? I really don't want to send my personal photos and other things and not get them back.

Thanks
Ericka

I got my photos and letters back.

As far as money - do you need to pay for a wedding (as in a party), or do you just need to pay to get married?  Getting married is a lot cheaper and the result is the same.    

Would you be getting married in the US or the UK?  I think it would be cheaper to get married in the US and go over on a spousal visa.  Plus, then you could start work immediately.

Good luck with things.  Visiting for a couple of months would be good, because it would give you a good idea of what's it's like to live with each other.  Just make sure that you have enough money to support yourself during that and pay for the big move - especially if you'll be out of work then and again for a couple of months if you go over on a fiancee visa. 

I got my photos and letters back.

As far as money - do you need to pay for a wedding (as in a party), or do you just need to pay to get married?  Getting married is a lot cheaper and the result is the same.    

Would you be getting married in the US or the UK?  I think it would be cheaper to get married in the US and go over on a spousal visa.  Plus, then you could start work immediately.

Good luck with things.  Visiting for a couple of months would be good, because it would give you a good idea of what's it's like to live with each other.  Just make sure that you have enough money to support yourself during that and pay for the big move - especially if you'll be out of work then and again for a couple of months if you go over on a fiancee visa. 

Oh okie, thats good!

Um...I think since money will be tight we'll just do a courthouse type ceremony. He wants to get married there but I think tomorrow when we talk more I'm going to really show him how much cheaper it will be to get married here. He wants his parents there and they are older and don't do flying...I don't think they've ever left England or even gone too far from home.

Thank you! Yeah I plan on basically being broke for a while. I'm gonna pay bills and keep enough money to eat and the rest goes into savings.

Thanks!

That's great news, Ericka!  And Carrie has a great point in that you should see what it will be like to be together for more then a few weeks here and a few weeks there.

Um...I think since money will be tight we'll just do a courthouse type ceremony. He wants to get married there but I think tomorrow when we talk more I'm going to really show him how much cheaper it will be to get married here. He wants his parents there and they are older and don't do flying...I don't think they've ever left England or even gone too far from home.

It's hard when family can't be there when you want them to be, but you can always have a small gathering or little party for the two of you when you get to the UK if his parents don't come to the US for the courthouse wedding.

By the way, so glad to hear he's coming for a visit and you don't have to wait so long. Yay!!

just a quick one... i think you'll need to show his bank statements as well (since you won't be able to work while on financee visa).

also budget in two visas: finance and then spousal... it may be cheaper if you guys get "officially" married in the US... then when you move over to the UK it'll be on a spousal visa.  you can do a blessing or party in the UK for his parents?

That's great news, Ericka!  And Carrie has a great point in that you should see what it will be like to be together for more then a few weeks here and a few weeks there.

Thats the plan!

It's hard when family can't be there when you want them to be, but you can always have a small gathering or little party for the two of you when you get to the UK if his parents don't come to the US for the courthouse wedding.

By the way, so glad to hear he's coming for a visit and you don't have to wait so long. Yay!!

Yeah, he's got 6 brothers and sisters and numerous neices and nephews. His family is quite close so I dunno how I'm going to convince him lol.

I'm so excited too! Soon enough

just a quick one... i think you'll need to show his bank statements as well (since you won't be able to work while on financee visa).

also budget in two visas: finance and then spousal... it may be cheaper if you guys get "officially" married in the US... then when you move over to the UK it'll be on a spousal visa.  you can do a blessing or party in the UK for his parents?

Oh right! haha duh. Okie I changed it!...I was reading the visa stories, that's where I got it from.

Yeah I'm going to try to convince him...we'll see how it goes.

Quick Question...How long before we plan to get married do we need to send the application/stuff off?

congratulations!

I think you have 6 months from the date on your fiancée visa to get married.

Sounds like you two are really working out a plan to end the distance!  YAY!  Send everything in at least 6 months before you plan on marrying if you are doing the fiancee route.  That way you can be married in time to apply for the next visa.  Or if you're a nervous girl like me, you apply as late as possible so that you have loads of time to sort out the next visa.  Congrats, and best of luck!   

I can say from experience that staying a few months is well worth the money spent.  I went over and stayed with DB for 1.5 months back in december-january and while it reaffirmed the feelings I had for him, it also provides very valuable insight into where youll be living. (Im assuming youre moving to England?)  Cuz its one thing to visit for a week and DB be with you all the time, but its another for DB to be at work and you feeling very lost and scared cuz you went "exploring" and cant find your way back. 

  The longer duration will provide time for a little bit of the sparkle to wear off of living in england (mine did quick... I was over in the winter for feckssake!) and the puppy love of getting to spend a few days together to really experience what youll be up against when over there for good.

That's really great news!!!!  I'm so happy for you!!
Good luck!

The running joke with Elizabeth and I is that I want an Elvis wedding....

She wants a beach wedding... I guess I am going to have to stand on the sand with Elvis singing " Love me tender..."

 

Yeah right