Yeah I know it sounds crazy to not be at the marriage, but this is the legal element, in Japan it is just the paperwork and the non legal ceremony is afterwards. So we would plan to have our cermony in UK once my wife is here with spouse visa. We think this is most straight forward option rather than apply for two UK visas (two fees, two lots of documents plus lack of flexibilty with work and marriage cermony arrangements under a uk fiance visa.)

Really I need to know, is this approach going to be an issue legally in the UK and if not will the UKBA pick holes in our spouse application. eg although this paperwork is legally acceptable in Japan, do UKBA require both memebrs to be present or at least in same country when legally married, or will they require an official marriage cermony etc for spouse visa???

Thanks again