I found the staff in the Cebu office really friendly! I even had to tell them that the picture on the wall with the Union Jack flag was a double decker bus and not a building lol!
If I were you I would go for the settlement visa if your partner wants that too. Our application was straightforward and accepted within 3 weeks of applying. As long as you tick the main boxes such as Finances, Accomodation, Genuine relationship and intention to marry then you wont hit any problems. We also used an immigration agency which cost me £300 but was money well spent!