ASking for some advice for Fiancee visa application

Hi all, great informative forum. Just what I've been looking for.

I am a UK born citizen (living and working in the UK) and my Fiancee is an American from New York, we plan to get married in the UK so we need to apply for a fiancee visa.

We are planning for her to come over to the UK beginning of January 2011. When should we apply for the visa so it will be ready for January? I read that the visa is only valid for travel for 1 month on date of issue. Is it possible to request a future visa start date and apply for the visa early?

I think we are pretty much ok with all the paper work, but the only area we are unsure about is how to prove our intention to marry within 6 months of her coming over. As we cannot register a date at the registry office as both of us has to be present.

Many thanks for the advise.

In the US right now you can pay an extra $300 for a 15 day processing time. So I would suggest applying about 2-3 weeks before January and paying the extra fee.

Your fiance would have three months to enter the uk.

How do I qualify to join my fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner in the UK?

ECB9.5 What if applicant is not intending to travel straight away to the UK

SET1.18 What evidence is required of marriage arrangements?

Don't forget the Maintenance and accommodation requirements.

Thanks for the reply, that's very useful