Booking Flight from US to UK Return Trip or One Way??

   Before I book my upcoming flight the early part of next year, what is advisable to do?  Book a return flight to save money or book a one way flight?

I will be traveling on a Marriage Visit Visa.  However, prior to this 6 month Visit Visa expiring, I will be applying for a Settlement Visa to remain after marriage.

Unclear as to how it works with immigration on eticket being return or one way. 

I will be leaving from the US to enter at Manchester Airport.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

You need to remember that even though you have a MVV you still need to show the Immigration Officer that you meet the conditions of that visa...specifically that you intend to return to the US at the end of your stay. If you book a one way, that is a HUGE red flag that could get your visa cancelled -- yes, they can do that.

I will be traveling on a Marriage Visit Visa.  However, prior to this 6 month Visit Visa expiring, I will be applying for a Settlement Visa to remain after marriage.

FYI - you can't apply for another visa when entering on a Marriage Visit Visa...you have to return to the US to do that...it's immigration law. The only visa that you can apply to remain in the UK after marriage is on a Fiancee Visa. If you intend to stay in the UK after marriage then you applied for the WRONG visa.

Thank you, I get a little confused on what the Visa is called.  So what you are saying it's a Fiancee Visit Visa?  I've been on this website, and they have two listings, one is called "Special Visitor Marriage Visa" and the other is called "Fiancee Settlement Visa".
Humm, so which one would it be I apply for then??

Here's the website:
https://www.visainfoservices.com/Pages/Content.aspx?Tag=VisaFees_PAGE

If you intend to stay in the UK after marriage you will be apply for the Fiancee Settlement visa. This visa allows you to travel to the UK and get married in the 6 months of the visa and then apply for FLR(M) to stay for another 2 years. The cost for this visa is $1199, plus if you want it processed in 15 working days or less you will need to purchase the Settlement Priority Service for $300 from the WorldBridge website on the day you send your application & documents to the Consulate for processing.

The Special Visitor Marriage Visa is just that...it's a visitor visa for those who do not intend to remain in the UK after marriage but return to their home country. If you get this one you have to return to the US before it expires and apply for a spouse visa from there in order to be able to return to the UK to live. The cost of this visa is about $120.

From UKBA on MVV:

Can I get married or register a civil partnership in the UK?

If either you or your future husband, wife or civil partner are not EEA (European Economic Area) or Swiss nationals, you can visit the UK together to get married or register a civil partnership as long as you intend to leave the country within six months.

If you wish to marry and live in the UK please see our Settlement - visa application guide.

  Thank you so very much.  I'll be applying for my Visa in 2 weeks. I'm remaining after marriage as well, bringing my daughter age 14 and cat too, ha.  I try to think of things ahead of time and thanks to you now I know to book a return flight after I get that Fiancee Settlement Visa.

By the way I will be moving to Nottingham, not far from you there in Derby.

Thanks for your advice.

Just remember that you'll need to apply for the Settlement Child visa for your daughter which costs the same as your visa application ($1199 plus the $300 for Settlement priority service if you chose to use it) and you'll need to make sure that you're going to have the proper permissions or custody arrangements in order to get her visa.

Notts is nice...I don't get over there too often as I have a small child but there's a group of Americans over there that I'm sure you may get on with.

That's good to know about Notts, at least won't be the only American there, ha.
I know the visa's are costly, I'm not doing the 15 day extra fee, not needed in my case.  As for my papers, have all that in order, you see I'm widowed, so, have my first husband death record certified, so am ok.  Thank you for all these tips, it sure helped me tremendously.

You take care and thank you again.

I try to think of things ahead of time and thanks to you now I know to book a return flight after I get that Fiancee Settlement Visa.

If you are granted a Fiancee Visa you *won't* need a return flight, as you'll be able to apply for your spousal visa without leaving the UK. You only need a return flight if you come over on a Marriage Visit Visa, because you aren't able to switch out of that visa inside the UK. From what you've said, you want the Fiancee Visa, meaning that one-way is fine.

The link that Weby provided explains this all in detail: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/settlementguide

Note though that one-way tickets are quite often just as expensive as returns, if not more so!

I know the visa's are costly, I'm not doing the 15 day extra fee, not needed in my case. 

Just be aware though, that if you don't pay for the 15-day priority service, you could be waiting up to 3 months for your visa to be approved (the maximum time is 6 months, but the majority of applications are processed within 12 weeks). Using the priority service means you only have to wait up to 3 weeks for the visa instead of 3 months.