Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Ahah if I come back to the States that won't be to do your cleaning And I'm lazy! I only do mine because I have to. There was pieces of hair everywhere on the floor.... :S	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-04-06 08:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Cleaning and laundey already done here. Now I wonder what I'm going to do.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-04-06 07:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (JeroenAndMichelle @ Apr 5 2008, 05:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Apr 5 2008, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Like you I want my SO to be here as soon as possible. If July - fantastic, if August - ok that's my expectation, if September - not pleased, if October - downright pissed. I kinda think that either I am a pessimist or you're pretty optimistic... I kinda still think I am looking at a september/october POE... but, like ppl say a lot over here... let's just hope it all speeds up, rather sooner than later ^^ Well maybe it's better to be a pessimist, that way if it goes faster than you think, you're not disappointed! I'm hoping for a August/september POE. But in my mind I really hope that's going to be earlier! At the same time, I can't stop thinking "What if we're one of the leftovers? one of the files that takes a 8 months instead of 4 at CSC?" and that's really getting on my nerves sometimes. QUOTE Rachel, i'm sorry you're in hormone hell. It's tough stuff. I always just try to remember that 'this too shall pass'. I hope it does for you soon! smile.gif Oh yeah that happens to me too. Luckily it's only for a few days. you'll feel better soon Rachel! Edited by Cecile and Bryan, 05 April 2008 - 01:10 PM.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-04-05 13:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Welcome Alex!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-04-03 05:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	so true!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-04-02 10:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Apr 2 2008, 04:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> But that's okay because I've met his mother's family and they are all awesome and friendly people. Not a single person amongst them who might be the embarrassing/drunk/badly dressed guest. We're very lucky! That's good, i guess. I haven't met everyone yet... only his parents and some of the uncles and aunts. and his friends of course. QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Apr 2 2008, 04:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Apr 2 2008, 09:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Blake - NO you are not badly off! Positive thinking, people! I won't allow any negativity in here Thanks for keeping me in line. I haven't had a good rant in a long time, so I'll let you know when I do. The sun is shining today which always puts me in a good mood, so the rant will have to wait. Yes let's all stay positive! it's still too early to rant anyway. If we start now, time will seem to go too slow and we'll continue to rant, and that's a never ending story	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-04-02 09:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Well my timeline IS dropping for real, I'm back on June 16th instead of the 14th We Want Approvals CSC!!!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-04-02 03:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	I meant I would think that Alex would do that guest list for his family, and you would do yours. Bryan seems willing to choose who is going to come from his family. Maybe "I really have no idea right now, but I'm going to think of it" would be better than "I don't care"	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-04-02 03:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Apr 2 2008, 10:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Me too. That's strange about the birth certificates only being valid for 3-6 months. Ours are valid for life over here. I received an e-mail back from Alex's mother. She reckons there will be 40-50 guests on her end! Didn't you say small and cheap wedding? And shouldn't it be on YOUR end and on ALEX's end?!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-04-02 03:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Apr 1 2008, 05:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I ordered three copies of my birth certificate months and months ago! I also applied for a provisional driving license because I mean to book some lessons before I leave, but also because I need proof of where I live for the police certificate (I also ordered a bank statement from my bank with my address on for this purpose). I won't get the police certificate until I receive my NoA2, because it is only valid for six months. I'd love to visit, too - but like you said, it just isn't worth it money-wise. The birth certificate copies in France is only valid for 3 or 6 months so the ones I got before sending I-129F won't be good anymore. Unless the embassy says it doesn't matter to them. But I'll probably order new ones just in case. Last time I got it in less than a week anyway. I've only started to gather some proofs of the on-going relationship. nothing done about official documents so far. Exactly 3 months today! CSC has been so slow lately! I hope they'll catch up soon....	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-04-02 02:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Yes, who knows.... it might be our turn soon!! And even if it's not soon, we're getting closer to the end. Tomorrow it will be exactly 3 months since Bryan sent our petition to CSC. It seems that it went fast. but at the same time, thinking of the many months remaining until I get the visa almost makes me depressed sometimes (that's why I'm hoping for a fast approval, because even if it might not be true, at least it makes me feel better that we might be approved in a month). Yesterday I was thinking that maybe I should go to visit him while waiting. But that's kind of stupid to spend the money to go there now (that would be for 2 weeks and I would only see him evenings and weekends since he would work) and and then again in 4 months and be able to stay together forever. We've been used to staying apart long times. But it would be nice to see each other for a while. Did anyone start gathering information for the next part of the process? Did the US citizens start filing the I-134 and gathering financial proofs? Did some foreign fiances ask their police certificate and birth certificate to their government?	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-04-01 10:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 31 2008, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Actually, we could really, really use any gifts we're given. We'll be starting off with nothing. First marriage for both of us and Alex hasn't even left home yet! So at least I won't feel too guilty, as I probably would if we already had a household full of stuff and were receiving duplicates/extras. Ooh, it's going to be exciting I'm a little tired of the cheap, second-hand goods that I've been used to for the past seven years since leaving my hometown to attend university. Chipped plates, blunt knives and a cupboard full of glasses pilfered from local pubs and novelty mugs are de rigeur amongst students and recent graduates. I totally agree with you. I have not bought any new nice house ware since I met Bryan because I knew I would not be staying in France very long. And before that, I never had much stuff since I was a student too. And I'm tired of moving from one apartment to another (6 different places since I left my hometown 6 years ago) I never had local pubs glasses though This time we're going to settle down	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-31 09:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 31 2008, 02:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Alex wrote in an e-mail last night: QUOTE My parents are adamant about my side of the family buying us presents for the wedding - I think you not wanting to accept presents is a battle that just won't be won, unfortunately. I'll let you make up the registry, though, and we'll only put stuff that we could actually need, like kitchen stuff, instead of stuff we'd want (I'm sure people would tend towards things we'd need anyway). This makes me feel old. I'm definitely at the stage where the 'stuff I'd want' IS practical kitchen/dinner ware. First battle against the in-laws lost! It seems that you are going to have to surrender and use that opportunity to get all kinds of neat stuff for your next house.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-31 09:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (JeroenAndMichelle @ Mar 31 2008, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Cecile) I'm not too far from 5'3 don't worry (I won't give you more information than that ) Ahh ic... I was getting scared it was somewhere in the 4'3 range haha j/k Talking about registry, gifts, and all these things, what do people usually do in the USA? Do they usually give gifts (and then does the married-to-be couple always make a registry) or do they usually offer money? I'm just curious.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-31 07:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 31 2008, 11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Mar 31 2008, 10:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 31 2008, 10:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I discussed changing my screenname with Alex and at my suggestion of dropping his name he went all pouty. Looks like I may be battling with the future in-laws over wedding plans. They reckon a pot-luck wedding would be okay (I don't) and would also like us to make a registry. Eek! Then you'd better keep that screenname Actually I think a pot-luck wedding could be fun, but I'd be too scared of what people would bring! Yes, no changing it now! I wouldn't be scared of what people would bring, it's just that I think I'd find it too informal even for an informal wedding. Also, Alex's side of the family would probably be the only guests to bring dishes, as my side of the family obviously wouldn't have access to a kitchen, not to mention they'll have already spent a lot of money on flying. Plus, I think it's bad etiquette for people to feel that they have to bring a dish and a present. I mean, it's wrong to expect a present in the first place, asking people to bring a dish as well seems even worse! Well, if we were having a pot-luck wedding (which I don't think we will), then I would not expect any presents. QUOTE (JeroenAndMichelle @ Mar 31 2008, 11:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Mar 31 2008, 11:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I wish I was 5'3... I'm getting scared to ask you're size... I'm not too far from 5'3 don't worry (I won't give you more information than that )	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-31 04:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	I wish I was 5'3...	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-31 04:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 31 2008, 10:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I discussed changing my screenname with Alex and at my suggestion of dropping his name he went all pouty. Looks like I may be battling with the future in-laws over wedding plans. They reckon a pot-luck wedding would be okay (I don't) and would also like us to make a registry. Eek! Then you'd better keep that screenname Actually I think a pot-luck wedding could be fun, but I'd be too scared of what people would bring! QUOTE (JeroenAndMichelle @ Mar 31 2008, 11:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 31 2008, 10:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Nothing wrong with being small! There are lots of very petite ladies in California making me feel like a towering heffalump whenever I visit the malls. You should check out Hawaii when you're there.. I'm 6 ft and I feel like a giant lol you mean my size would actually be "normal" in Hawaii? yeah we definitely have to go there! Nothing wrong with being small except when you can't grab things on the upper shelves in stores.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-31 04:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (gabriela @ Mar 30 2008, 03:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hi, im a csc filer who got my noa1 on january 30...just wanted to say goodluck to all january filers like me! and of course, to all those who filed before us. Welcome gabriela! QUOTE (sunnybear @ Mar 30 2008, 02:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (dbears @ Mar 30 2008, 08:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 30 2008, 08:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Mar 29 2008, 02:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Rachel, you would love Olga, same with you Yoko, Dbears, and Ciciel - however, she does not really understand how welcomed she would be, nor how important your advice and counsel that she would find here. Yes - I am sure we would love Olga (after all, we love you, Blake - and like attracts like) and would certainly welcome her! It is funny how few couples actually post together - it's usually just one half making all the posts. Oh well! I second that. I am 101% positive we will all love Olga More than advice and counsel, this group is a haven of support and inspiration and friendship. As for couples not posting together.. if Rachel will change her screen name to just Rachel, maybe I should also change mine to just "li'l bear"... it is Dbears because I call him big bear and he calls me li'l bear: big bear + li'l bear = the bears or 'D'bears Awwww OMG on you calling him Bear etc...that is what I call Gareth! He just reminds me of a bear! And after him being turned away in Detroit I went and got this tattoo in honor of our journey together.... Nice tattoo Bryan is into tattoos too. Right now he's waiting for money to add more on his body. Big pieces are expensive. I'm also planning on getting a big one but I have other priorities right now in my life (something to do with immigration... ) And don't start comparing sizes, people! I'm sure I'm the smallest anyway... @Blake: From the pictures on your profile, Olga seems very sweet. I'm sure we will all love her	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-31 03:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	http://cse.ssl.berke...du/igor/vjdata/ You should paste it in your "personal note pad" in "My controls". That way you'll never lose it!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-28 05:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	And anyway, this was a while ago and I don't think I can find which message was in my inbox folder at that time... so we will never know! K1 processing time changed on the USCIS website. We're now 125 instead of 134 on Igor's list It probably doesn't mean anything, but that's still a move!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-28 04:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Mar 27 2008, 04:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 27 2008, 09:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Mar 27 2008, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Once Gmail assumed I was looking for "lesbian fun nights". I've never figured out what information from my emails they chose to make that one! Now that's a good one When you figure it out let me know Seriously though, I stopped trying to figure it out a while ago. but it did make me laugh a lot.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-27 11:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 27 2008, 01:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Speaking of food and diets: Anyone using gmail knows that google places adverts to one side of the e-mail which are based on the e-mail's contents - just as the google ads here draw upon the contents of the page you have open. So in my usual nightly e-mail to Alex yesterday I talked about the meal I'd eaten with my friends - didn't so much as mention a diet! - and I received the following adverts in my sent folder: QUOTE 10 Skinny Rules I lost 9 lbs. in 11 days, just by following these 10 simple rules. Obsessed by Pleasure Cheeky chocolate bites from The Filthy Food Company. On sale now 5 Tips to Lose Belly Fat Stop making these 5 mistakes & you will finally lose your belly fat! 1 Trick to Lose Belly Fat I struggled for years with a fat belly, until I found this 1 secret. Google's telling me I ate too much, guys Once Gmail assumed I was looking for "lesbian fun nights". I've never figured out what information from my emails they chose to make that one!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-27 08:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Well, it seems like we're going to do just like you: quick wedding when we get the visa and then next Spring/Summer we'll do a more traditional wedding. That will not be a big ceremony, from my family there will probably be only my parents, brother & sister. And maybe one or two friends. From his family there will be more people of course (that's easier when you live in the same country) I would have prefered to do everything at once right after we get the visa. I'd like to think of my wedding day and not of my two wedding days. It's going to be strange to be ask if I want to take him as my husband the second time if we're already husband and wife. I would have prefered a small traditional wedding (by "traditional" I only mean "wedding not at a courthouse") even if it's only half of a real wedding instead of doing it that way. But I do understand that everybody else would prefer to have the ceremony later. That's the way Bryan wants it and that's the way my parents and everyone willing to come from France like better. So yeah... that's probably be like you. Courthouse at the end of this year, and ceremony later.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-27 06:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Welcome to you, svache!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-26 10:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Mar 26 2008, 03:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I agree with you on the difficulties in dealing with the highs and lows. They can be spectacular at times. The only thing I've noticed is that I've gone into a pretty comfortable numb period - at least until I move closer to approval, then I'm sure the rollercoaster will speed up again. It is good to see you again Rachel, I hope you had a good time away from the computer. Could someone post the website for the Chinese dresses or is that only through e-bay. Once we will be closer to approval it is probably going to be more stressful than now. right now the only thing we can do is wait. but once people will start getting their approvals, that is going to be another story! My dress was on e-bay, I believe the seller had another website though. i'll try to find it if you want, but I'm not sure that's the best place to get one since it was not made at the right size. Maybe sunnybear's seller was better.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-26 09:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	So many things to be obsessed over... the visa journey, the wedding (with everything little thing that is included), the moving and what we're going to do with our belongings... but we'll make it through! sunnybear, are you planning an inside or an outside wedding? where do you live?	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-26 05:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Mar 25 2008, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> - religious or non-religious based. That might also be an option. Even if some churches might allow non-religious services, that's not one of our options. It just can't be. That doesn't sound appropriate for any of us. QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Mar 25 2008, 05:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And a backyard is perfect - as long as the dogs are tied up. Just kidding..... well, kidding or not, I don't want dogs to mess up everything on my wedding day, so yes they'll have to be tied up!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-25 11:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha) I've been thinking about having the receiption at a restaurant in the Ukrainian Village section of Chicago, more for my friends and family than Olga (I mean she already knows what that's like yes.gif ) and the wedding will be at a gothic church down at the University of Chicago where I sang in a choir when young. Thankfully it will be a small wedding party so elaborate invitations, floral arrangements, etc. will probably not be needed. I say "probably" with a great deal of caution though I like your story about your dress - the great thing is that it was made for you and you alone - not for a store maniquin. That makes the dress very special and one that you can treasure always. yes, that dress is MINE! As for the wedding, people with a religious background are lucky: you have more possibilities for the location of your ceremony! and the choice seems to be easier too. We do not want to be married in a church. We are definitely not religious people. Therefore it's going to be harder to find out where we will go. oh well, let's just hope the backyard where we will be living will be big enough I also read somewhere that some churches take care of the floral arrangements or can tell you where you should get them. Edited by Cecile and Bryan, 25 March 2008 - 10:47 AM.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-25 10:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Mar 25 2008, 03:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Welcome Back - congratulations on getting the dress, I'm looking forward to your post. I've been thinking about wedding stuff too, theme? Oh boy, back to the drawing board on that one. There is so much to learn.... This will definitely be the last time I do one of these! A wedding does not need a theme, but it's more and more common to have one. An "easy" idea of a theme could be the home country of the foreign spouse: foreign food, small flags everywhere (), and then I don't know what else. Oh well that's just an idea. I don't think we'll have a theme. We'll probably only choose one or two colors and do everything using these colors.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-25 10:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Here is a sum-up of my"wedding dress journey" (so far) It might be helpful for some people here to read this, I would have liked to find such a post, that's why I'd like to share it now. I started thinking about it a few weeks after we sent the petition. I wasn't sure what the best way to do it was. I had different possibilities: I could buy it in France, in the USA, or on the Internet. I knew someone who did this (as I said in a previous post, she bought a dress and customized it, since she is a seamstress) and she told told me that she would alter it for me if it needed alterations. Buying it in the USA seemed impossible since I won't go back there until we get the visa, and what if I couldn't find the perfect dress on time? I went to several stores in France, the cheapest ones were 500€ (~ $750). I do have money. I can afford to spend that amount of money for such a dress, and probably more, but since there's also all the immigration costs to deal with, the plane ticket for my return to buy, the moving in and the ceremony wedding to think of, I also thought that it would be nice to pay less than that. Moreover, in French stores, it takes them more than 6 months to get a dress and alter it. Even though I know the visa process is long, there is still a small possibility that it might go faster than we think (yes, still hoping ) I started looking at dresses on ebay. I wasn't sure what I was looking for and I was also thinking that if I couldn't find anything nice I would have bought it in one of the stores where I went the week before. After hours without finding anything interesting, I saw the picture of that wonderful dress. It was simple but beautiful. I only had a few hours to decide if I wanted it since the bid was almost at its end. So I did it. After the end of the sell, the Chinese seller (most of the wedding gowns on ebay seem to come from China) contacted me and asked me to pay him and asked my measurements. I went to 2 different seamstress and also asked a friend to help me measure me, to make sure I would send them accurate numbers. The Chinese person I talked to spoke little English and little French, but we managed to communicate well enough. Then they told me that since no-one works on the Chinese New Year, they would not start making my dress until the end of February (a month after I bought it). Then they made it in 2 weeks and it took a week to ship it to France. That went pretty fast. I got it last Thursday. First, when I opened the package, I was disappointed because it didn't look exactly like the picture (I'm not going to tell what it looks like here, in case Bryan would read it someday). I tried it and the top was way too big! I was deceived. I tried to forget it for a while because I had to go to work. A few hours later, I realized that I shouldn't focus on what it looked like on the photo and that I should take it for what it is and try to see what alterations would need to be done in order to make it the right size and the perfect dress. When I came back home, I tried it again and looked at it closely. I wrote a (small) list of what needed to be altered. Really, the list is small: there's only 2 or 3 things to alter. The more I looked at it, the more I loved it. It is a beautiful dress. And I'm going to make it my perfect dress. I left it at my parents' house. I tried it everyday this weekend. We will give it to a seamstress next month (my seamstress friend is pregnant and I'm probably going to end up coming back to the states on her last months of pregnancy, so I'm not going to bother her with that). The cost of the dress (did I mention it was cheap?) + the alterations still makes it cheaper than wedding gowns in wedding stores. And really I like it a lot. To those who were thinking of buying it online, there are lots of "stores" on ebay and I can't tell you that it will be as it was for me. Just remember that you have no idea if it will be as nice as you'd like it to be. Don't focus too much on what it looks like on the picture because, as we know, pictures can lie! and expect to have several alterations to do on the gown once you get it. It might have been a better idea to buy it in a real store, but I'm glad I did it this way because even though it's not perfect yet, I Love My Dress!!!!!!!!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-25 10:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	I'm back! It was great to have a long weekend, without having to think of work. Of course I never stopped thinking of the approvals and I spent the weekend thinking of the wedding and when I'll be back in the USA, because... I got my wedding dress! I'll write a longer post about it, right now I have several things to do. QUOTE (shes @ Mar 21 2008, 06:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hmm...people are talking about weddings here eh? i love that!!! hehehe! wat r u guys planning to have for a theme??? me and fiance plans to have a "carribean" theme.. colors of the carribean, aqua green, blue and white..tho its a church wedding not beach. hehehe We haven't thought of a theme yet and I'm not even sure there will be one. I think I'd like something red and black (though finding black flowers is not going to be easy ) QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 22 2008, 11:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Fortunately his doctor rang him back and said he just wanted specialists to look at an abnormal vein, but that it's nothing too serious and not to worry Good to hear that he'll be ok! QUOTE (MissYoko @ Mar 23 2008, 11:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> hey guys! Just to say hello from Chicago I'm with my love and all is perfect. yeah you did it! Have a nice stay over there	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-25 03:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Last day of work this week for me too. I'm going to spend the long weekend (4 days) at my parents' house. I will probably not spend a lot of time online.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-20 04:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (dbears @ Mar 20 2008, 05:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> oppssss, bbq reception actually not my original idea but borrowed from rachel every time ricky talks about the wedding he always have this big grand wedding in his head but I have managed to talk him out of it and just settle for a very small and simple wedding with a bbq picnic style reception and cupcakes instead of a big expensive wedding cake.... I know it will still be very beautiful especially because we will be making our own vows and it will also be a family wedding coz we will be exchanging vows with the kids during the unity sand ceremony. The biggest weddings aren't always the best ones. I'm sure you can do a small wedding and make it wonderful. Bryan also have a big traditional wedding in his head with bridemaids and flower girl and big cake and everything. I don't want a "traditional wedding just like everybody", I want it to be "perfect for us" QUOTE (CourtAndGrey @ Mar 20 2008, 06:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Cecile and Bryan @ Mar 19 2008, 02:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, there are around 50 CSC january filers! Come on guys, don't be shy! I'm a January filer, I'll join in! As far as any wedding plans for us, my SO is coming from Costa Rica and neither his friends nor family are allowed to come to the states for a wedding. I would like to take a long weekend, and escape to a mountain lodge-type of place with my family and the friends of mine that he does know, and enjoy a little get-a-way in the outdoors. Maybe that Saturday night we could have a nice group dinner and dance the night away, followed by a nice Sunday morning mini-ceremony outside. Probably no fancy dresses for me, although something sparkly and pretty would be great if possible! This is all of course assuming CSC stays on track and us January folk are still in the ballpark of May/June/July NOA2's. I think a nice fall weekend spent around the pretty rivers and mountains of Washington would be lovely. We'll see how things progress! Welcome here CourtAndGrey! Your long weekend idea sounds fabulous! And we all hope that CSC will start January approvals soon!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-20 04:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (BlakeandOlha @ Mar 19 2008, 05:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm very interested in the whole dress discussion, although I'm not sure what or how it should work. Do people plan to have a civil service (I imagin no dress for this) and then at some future point a more formal service with the fancy dress? I guess the thing that concerns me is the lead times necessary to organize a more formal affair and the uncertainty of when exactly my fiancee will be actually able to join me. Thank goodness (I guess) that its a late summer or early autumn wedding date because there is a chance I can book something - if it was spring, then forget it. Essentially, Olga can tell me what kinds of things she would like, but I have to hoof it from there. If we have a civil service and then a more formal ceremony, I will wear my dress both times. Even though there will be the ceremony later where I can wear it, I still want to be a beautiful bride in a white dress the day I officially become Bryan's wife.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-19 11:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	MissYoko, these dresses are impressive! I'm sure you will be a beautiful bride (just like all of us )	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-19 11:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	Yes, there are around 50 CSC january filers! Come on guys, don't be shy!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-19 05:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 17 2008, 10:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Everyone will have their own way of doing things! I didn't mean to imply that those who are separating the legal side and the ceremony are in any way wrong. Just that I, personally, would prefer to do it all (cheaply!) at once. And that's what I would prefer to do too. Financially speaking, it doesn't matter if we do everything at once or if we have the ceremony next Spring: I doubt I'll be able to work until next Spring, he will be the only one with an income, therefore we will not have more money in a year than in 6 months. So yes, the only problem is the fact that it will be easier to prepare and people will be able to make plans to travel. Then yes, it makes sense to wait. I don't think I will want to wait to enter in the USA once I get my visa, like you, Rachel, are planning to do. I find it awesome that you are willing to wait in order to make it easier for everybody. I just don't want to do it. Oh well, we still have several months to plan everything.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-17 09:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 16 2008, 07:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Alex is currently taking classes (or, a class) although he's not at university full time yet (that comes later, when I have a job and can support *him* ). When I was referring to school half-term I meant for my youngest brother and sister. Same here, he's waiting for me and my money to go back to school QUOTE (Alex & Rachel) The main reason for waiting is a matter of timing and money. I'd like to give people 6 months notice for the wedding so that travel arrangements and plans can be made in plenty of time. My two tentative wedding dates, depending on the NoA2 date, are the autumn half-term (last week of October) and the spring half-term (sometime in February). I'd coincide the wedding with a school holiday so that my parents and siblings could fly over and not miss too much school. (Half-term = a week's holiday.) The other option would be to have the wedding over Christmas, but flights are likely to be more expensive then, plus my parents would probably like to spend time with my grandparents. October and February should be reasonably cheap months to fly in. I just spent 3 hours talking with Bryan online, and we talked about the wedding. First, what we wanted to do was go to the court house when I arrive (well, sometime during the first month), go to a restaurant with friends to celebrate it, and then, next Spring, we would have a more formal ceremony. That formal ceremony would not have to be a big one, with awesome dinner and everything, but it would still be a nice wedding ceremony, and that way we would have more time to prepare it and to give more time to people to make all the arrangements. That was the original idea. I've thought about it a lot, and I'm not really comfortable with that idea anymore. Maybe we're going to have so many things to deal with that in the end we won't have time to think of that ceremony and we won't do it. You know how it's like sometimes, you plan things and then the longer you wait, the harder it is to take care of things. And the second reason is that it sounds kind of strange to have two wedding dates. He says the second one (the formal one) will be our real wedding. But we will already be married. As soon as I'm going to become Mrs. Young, I will feel like I am his wife. It just sounds strange. He also said that it can be considered as if we renew our vows but usually when people renew their vows, that's not 6 months after the wedding! So I'm all confused. I don't know what to do or what to think anymore. I'd rather have everything at once: have our nice formal ceremony when I first get there. But of course, that will be harder to plan, and that means some people might not be able to come. And it all depends when we're approved. We can't plan the same thing if it's the summer or the winter! I don't know... Maybe I should stop thinking about it for a while. Maybe it would be good to know what other people think/plan to do. For everybody reading this topic: What are you planning for your wedding, guys? Edited by Cecile and Bryan, 16 March 2008 - 03:41 PM.	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-16 15:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Mar 15 2008, 07:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I've considered making my own dress, but I am not an experienced seamstress (I've only recently managed to lay hands on my sewing machine again; haven't used it in several years) and besides, I'm not sure what style would suit. ... Now, to be more on-topic, I've decided that should we receive the NoA2 before the end of May, then we'll marry in the last week of October and I'll probably fly out at the beginning of September. If we receive the NoA2 in June or later, then we'll marry the third or fourth week of February (depending when the school half-term is) and I'll fly out at the beginning of January. Of course, this is barring unforeseen delays - i.e. being placed in extended review, or NVC losing our petition or something. Bryan has a friend who is a seamstress and she prefered to buy her dress. It's probably very time consuming and stressful to make your own dress, even though you are a good seamstress. I think what she ended up doing is that she bought her dress on ebay (cheap dress from China) and then made a few changes on it to make it "her own dress". That Secret Santa sounds fun! Is Alex still at the university? Waiting until January seems quite long (though some in the past had to wait longer than that) I hope you will receive NOA2 before the end of May. I don't know how long it takes between NOA2 and the interview in England, but it seems to me that if you have your NOA2 at the end of June, you might still be able to go back there early enough to marry in October. Welcome smiley84!	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-16 04:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?	I'd say something like 400€ to make -> 3200€ in the stores?	Cecile and Bryan	Female	France	2008-03-14 10:11:00