My husband and I have been married for a year and a half. Compared to my brother and sister, I (and my husband for that matter) am very simple -- so noone was surprised when my husband (then boyfriend) calls my parents to ask for their blessing for us to get married. And within 2 months we were! We still had beautiful flowers, a best man and maid of honor, I still bought an ivory dress and my husband wore his military dress uniform. We invited about a dozen close family members and were wed at the town hall on New Years Eve in front of their 14 foot Christmas tree. The town justice still read a beautiful poem and we had a real ceremony. It is possible to have a beautiful wedding at a town hall. Of course in most minds, a town hall wedding is held in a court room or the judges office, but it doesn't have to be. I did not go to the city's town hall I went to the town's town hall (if that makes sense). If we went to the City's town hall it would have been a judge and thats it. Instead I found a town (suburban) town hall that was beautiful and already decorated! I personally spoke with the town justice and it was my choice to have it quick and to the point, or to have it read like a ceremony. The Justice even asked if I wanted to play music and enter the room after everyone else! (I chose not too do that part) If she 100% wants a big $10,000 wedding like both my siblings did -- then you cant change her mind, or she will never forget what she didn't have. However, if she looks into things the way I did and finds a pleasant compromise, then you both can find a happy medium. A plus from having our ceremony at the town hall was we got 2 certified marriage certificates free of charge the day it took place, simply by asking for it!
I am American and he is Canadian. It was cheaper to get my Medical exam done while I was visiting him in Canada. I got them done in June then because of money shortage had to wait until August to actually apply. The Medicals are only valid for 1 year, unless the CIC requests they be extended. The FBI fingerprints are only good for 3 months, so they need to be valid when the CIC receives your application. You also need to pay 2 of the 3 fees before applying and then include the PDF receipt in your packet. If you have the money then by all means pay all 3, I did not pay all 3 and feel it did slow it down a little, but not much. Keep records of each and every visit. Mu husband flew out to see me about a dozen times, luckily he kept each boarding pass and we sent those in as proof, along with pictures. We did not send many pictures, maybe 1 from each visit and a few from our wedding. Thats it. So if you took at least 1 picture each visit, you're good. She will not be rejected for not having income, there is "technically" no income requirement -- but they can send a request to explain how you two will survive like they did us. They stated there is no proof I wont go on welfare, so I had to give them documents proving them wrong. And according to my notes, it was good enough and I am now moving on to the security parts of my application. Having an education where she can get a good job is a plus! They don't want you in Canada if you can't pay for yourselves, saying "trust me" isn't enough for the CIC. And you're correct, it seems pointless to prove the sponsor can fully support you when you in fact plan on getting a job -- I'm in the same boat! But the CIC take this very seriously and they have let in too many people who have burned them, so they need to cover their butts. Take your time filling out the application. It may seem like nothing, but it is very important. If you miss a single thing, your entire packet will be sent back to you to correct. Then you have to send it back delaying you approval even longer. The website claims Ottawa center is taking about 15 months, I have seen people approved in 7 or less months. Me however, I am passed the 9 month mark! Although there is no income requirement -- they drag their feet at low numbers. Our App has been delayed several times just to provide MORE proof of income, savings and that I am actually willing to work!
