Straight off your sort with plenty of proof of working together.Many of us have had problems with holidays and the arrangments it will need plenty of planning but im sure it will be sorted.
In theory you would need only one trip or possibly two trips to phill. If you wanted to get married in Phill.
If you follow the fiancee visa path technically you would never need to vist Phill as you have already met and fallen in love and caried on your relationship via email, phone and what have you.
I don't know if you have but it is worth meeting bert in phill and seeing where he is from if you haven't already.
