Marriage Question USA/UK

[wedding25]

Hello.

I am hoping someone will be kind enough to share their expertise on a confusing situation I am currently trying to navigate.

I am American and have been in the UK for 5 years. First for a post-graduate degree and then work experience on the Fresh Talent Scotland visa. Last year in the midst of the introduction of the new tier system I was granted a 5-year Tier 2 sponsored work visa.

I have recently become engaged to a fellow American and we plan to marry in the USA where the majority of our families live as soon as possible due to our religious convictions.

My fiance's Mum is from Liverpool and still travels on her UK passport and has never taken American citizenship (although she has lived there over 40 years). My fiance would like to apply for UK Right of Abode using the UKM form (I believe this is the correct one he is applying on).

My question to the forum is this: Are we better off waiting to get married until after his Right of Abode is granted or should we get married before he submits his paperwork?

I understand he will need to apply for entry clearance etc to make his final move over here to be with me (I'm working full-time) but we need to know what order in which to apply for his paperwork (and eventually change my status to that of spouse down the road). There are no quick answers to the waiting game with visa's but we would just like to avoid taking any unnecessary steps.

Any input on this situation is very welcome.