Marriage overseas in ceremony with only I and fiance

[tomi81]

Hi all,

I am a Canadian citizen and want to marry my foreign wife from the Ukraine. We want to get married in Denmark, Copenhagen as we are both working in Europe. Our plan is to have a ceremony only involving two of us as we do not want to impose on all our friends and family the cost of going to a destination wedding.

What we plan though is to save our money to visit and celebrate with our family and friends in Canada and Ukraine.

How would this look to CIC? Would this raise any red flags with such a small ceremony?

 

[Hurlabrick]

Hi all,

I am a Canadian citizen and want to marry my foreign wife from the Ukraine. We want to get married in Denmark, Copenhagen as we are both working in Europe. Our plan is to have a ceremony only involving two of us as we do not want to impose on all our friends and family the cost of going to a destination wedding.

What we plan though is to save our money to visit and celebrate with our family and friends in Canada and Ukraine.

How would this look to CIC? Would this raise any red flags with such a small ceremony?

I think you have already explained it rather well!

Include an expanded version of this 'explanation' as an appendix to the relevant form with your application pack. In particular, include photo's of your subsequent 'visit celebrations' with friends and in-laws etc..

I am sure that will be fine.

 

[tomi81]

Thank you!

We were worried after reading all the posts about CIC being biased against small ceremonies involving only the husband and wife.

 

[canadianwoman]

It should be fine. Just explain.
CIC is more concerned about very small weddings when the couple comes from a culture where a huge ceremony is normal. If you were both of Indian background, for example, the visa officer would expect to see a big traditional ceremony.

That said, still try to make the occasion look special, and take photos.

 

[Sous02]

Hi all,

I am a Canadian citizen and want to marry my foreign wife from the Ukraine. We want to get married in Denmark, Copenhagen as we are both working in Europe. Our plan is to have a ceremony only involving two of us as we do not want to impose on all our friends and family the cost of going to a destination wedding.

What we plan though is to save our money to visit and celebrate with our family and friends in Canada and Ukraine.

How would this look to CIC? Would this raise any red flags with such a small ceremony?

That alone would not necessarily be a problem. If it gets combined with other red flags such as age difference's, economic background etc it can begin to add up to closer examination. Just provide honest explanations. Good Luck