No real wedding ceremony

[mrsshank2014]

Hey all,
My american fiancé and I are wondering if we are going to be penalized for choosing to have no real wedding ceremony. We are planning on getting married next month and don't want to waste money on a wedding right now, we would rather establish and get him in canada and a home and then have a reception/celebration September of 2015. I am currently just finishing up my last semester of school so financially this makes the most sense. Is this going to be an issue in CICs eyes?

 

[Rob_TO]

Hey all,
My american fiancé and I are wondering if we are going to be penalized for choosing to have no real wedding ceremony. We are planning on getting married next month and don't want to waste money on a wedding right now, we would rather establish and get him in canada and a home and then have a reception/celebration September of 2015. I am currently just finishing up my last semester of school so financially this makes the most sense. Is this going to be an issue in CICs eyes?

It depends, how long have you been dating/engaged so far?

Typically US citizens don't get as much scrutiny, but could still be a big red flag if you've just been dating a couple months then do a quickie wedding and submit PR app.

 

[missmatalini]

Hey all,
My american fiancé and I are wondering if we are going to be penalized for choosing to have no real wedding ceremony. We are planning on getting married next month and don't want to waste money on a wedding right now, we would rather establish and get him in canada and a home and then have a reception/celebration September of 2015. I am currently just finishing up my last semester of school so financially this makes the most sense. Is this going to be an issue in CICs eyes?

Technically my husband and I didn't have a "real" ceremony. We didn't even really have a reception either. We got married on Canadian Thanksgiving so the family was all together, and we had Thanksgiving dinner afterwards.

We just noted in our application that we were having a ring ceremony and reception later once our application was finished.

 

[Panamai]

I've been wondering the same with our common-law status. They ask if we celebrated or had a ceremony for it. I'm just going to mention how that's not really a thing in our (US/Canadian) culture. lol I don't like parties either. Even when we get legally married in the future, I only want a small gathering of our closest friends/family. Basically, just be completely honest.

 

[Kayaker]

My husband and I (Japanese citizen) had a civil marriage, just city hall with no fanfare. We did take some wedding photos, but only my parents were in the photos.

We explained that we are planning to have a small reception in Ottawa the next summer, for my friends in the US and his family and friends in Canada, and that my parents will attend as well.

Getting married first then having a reception later seems pretty common so I wouldn't be worried. Just make sure to outline your plans and reasons (such as that you're now a student so you need to save up a bit for the reception.)

 

[mrsshank2014]

It depends, how long have you been dating/engaged so far?

Typically US citizens don't get as much scrutiny, but could still be a big red flag if you've just been dating a couple months then do a quickie wedding and submit PR app.

We have been dating since 2010, engaged since November 2011. We also have an 18 month old together

 

[missmatalini]

We have been dating since 2010, engaged since November 2011. We also have an 18 month old together

I wouldn't be concerned then. Most of what I've seen is that people do the big shebang later like Kayaker said.

 

[Rob_TO]

We have been dating since 2010, engaged since November 2011. We also have an 18 month old together

Ya you should not have any issues at all, even if it's only a courtroom marriage with just the 2 of you.

 

[stone12m]

Weirdly similar situation to us.

We got married with just a commissioner and my parents in attendance in July, applied for PR in August and plan to have our ceremony next September 2015 in the US after my wife is (hopefully) approved for PR.

We had already been engaged for about 9 months, together for 7 years, and supplied a ton of supplementary proof and details about our history. We chose this route for the same reason as you, it is very hard to afford a wedding when one person can't legally work and you both are going through this incredibly tough process.

I'm glad to hear most of you don't believe this will be an issue because it was a slight worry of mine as well (which is more just the nerves associated with the constant waiting for this to be done)

 

[aminata2010]

my husband and I had a court house ceremony in dallas..no family or friends..I explained why that occurred and how we plan to have a real wedding once I get to canada..no problems or red flags..but we have been together over 4 years.

 

[mrsshank2014]

Thank you all... You have definitely eased my mind!

 

[paulflynn12]

It's okay you don't have to worry..

 

[Panamai]

Having a child together is all the evidence you need in my opinion! Good luck!

 

[canadianwoman]

It should be OK. Just explain why as you did here.