+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445
I had a small wedding ceremony, 2 witnesses, at the civil office. We explained why it was done this way, and why our parents were not attending. We had a small dinner at my husband's uncles house and brought a cake. Usually in my husband's country there is a big wedding party, but I guess they did not think it was a flag due to our explanation. We were recently approved with no request for any additional information.

Also, my friend sponsored her husband a few years ago, while she was a student living at home. Same type of civil ceremony, no parents attending. Her application also went through with no additional requests. I believe she had her parents write a letter supporting their marriage advising they are welcome to live at home until they are on their feet.

I hope everything works out for you!
 
I also agree with everyone else here! :) I don't see any reasons why you wouldn't be able to apply with confidence if your relationship is genuine.
Obviously your mother just has something against this entirely and is definitely not giving you the correct information.

I wish you the best of luck. :) My husband and I just submitted our application this month!
 
OhCanada77 said:
I'm coming over to marry my canadian fiance. Like you, just 2 witnesses to make it official. But still going to take pics and things and go for dinner afterwards and then having a blessing and reception here in the UK a year or so after (will double as my leaving party!) so that might be an option?

So make sure you wear a dress and get some pics. And good luck to you both!

really ? ... wear a dress .... ? because if your in a dress it must be a wedding right.......fantastic advice
 
OhCanada77 said:
I'm coming over to marry my canadian fiance. Like you, just 2 witnesses to make it official. But still going to take pics and things and go for dinner afterwards and then having a blessing and reception here in the UK a year or so after (will double as my leaving party!) so that might be an option?

So make sure you wear a dress and get some pics. And good luck to you both!
Eh, I disagree that wearing a dress is really necessary. While in many visa-exempt countries wearing a dress is considered more the "norm" (especially the typical white wedding dress), it's not taboo if the person doesn't wear a dress and that's mainly what the CIC is concerned about. I wore a dress for my small outdoor ceremony, but it was very casual, not white, and I was wearing a rain-jacket over it. Not everyone likes certain wedding traditions associated with their own culture and would feel better doing something else, and this explanation is fine.
 
You do not have to do anything typical of a wedding, of course. It is your wedding, so do what feels right for you and your spouse. However, one thing the visa officer will do is question whether the wedding seems like a real wedding. You can explain why you didn't want a big ceremony right now. But I would not make the ceremony look too casual. The government lawyer at my husband's appeal, for example, wanted to know why I wasn't dressed up. 'You're just wearing sandals' was one thing she said. And I was wearing a skirt and top, not jeans or something like that. She stopped that line of questioning when I said the clothes I was wearing were the best I owned at the time. Still, it would be better if these kinds of questions never even came up.
 
OK. I didn't mean it "seriously". What i meant was - go and enjoy your day as it is.
 
you didnt write that at all .......you wrote wear a dress .... , you may as well have added , make sure its white , as you must be pure on your wedding day ..... what a crock
 
I really don't think OhCanada77 meant any harm by what she said.

Although I do realize that not ALL women will wear a dress on her wedding day, it is something that I would instinctively assume since it is the tradition that I was brought up with. :)

I think she mostly just meant feel beautiful and take many pictures.
 
PandaChan said:
I really don't think OhCanada77 meant any harm by what she said.

Although I do realize that not ALL women will wear a dress on her wedding day, it is something that I would instinctively assume since it is the tradition that I was brought up with. :)

I think she mostly just meant feel beautiful and take many pictures.

That's pretty much it. I'm not into conforming for the hell of it. My mum wore a lilac pant suit to her wedding and looked phenomenal.

Just have a great wedding day! :-*