Mail Order Bride Costs Explained by National Bridal Service

At National Bridal Service, we help men find foreign brides for marriage through our trusted online platform. Many people ask about the costs of finding a mail order bride. The process involves several expenses, and it’s important to know what to expect. This article explains the costs associated with using our service, what you can save on, and what you should not cut corners on to have a smooth and safe experience.

What Makes Up the Cost of a Mail Order Bride?

The term “mail order bride” does not mean buying a person. Instead, it refers to the expenses of finding, communicating with, and marrying a woman from another country. These costs include online dating services, travel, visas, and wedding arrangements. Below, we break down the main expenses you’ll encounter.

Online Dating Service Fees

To use mail order bride services, you need to pay for a membership or credits. Most dating sites operate on a credit system. You buy credits to message women, make video calls, or send gifts.

Credit Packages: Most credit packages start at $2.99 for 35 credits. For example, 20 credits let you chat for about 10 minutes. Larger packages, like 1,000 credits for $200, offer better value. New users get free credits after verifying their account, which helps you start without spending much upfront.
Monthly Costs: On average, men spend $50 to $150 per month on a dating site, which depends on how often they communicate. If you use video calls or send gifts, costs can rise to $300 monthly.

You can control these costs by choosing how often you message or call. Sticking to text messages is cheaper than video chats or sending virtual gifts like stickers or media.

Travel Expenses

Meeting your potential bride in person is a key step. Travel costs depend on her country, the time of year, and how long you stay. A two-week trip is common to build a connection.

Flights: A round-trip flight from New York to Warsaw costs about $700, while a trip to the Philippines or Colombia is around $600 to $1,700.
Accommodation: A week in a decent hotel in Poland costs around $1,200. In Latin American countries like Colombia, it’s closer to $500 to $800 for a week.
Other Costs: Meals, local transport, and activities like dates add $300 to $700 per week; it depends on your lifestyle.

Travel expenses can vary widely. A trip to Latin America is often cheaper than Asia or Eastern Europe due to shorter distances and lower airfare.

Visa and Immigration Costs

To bring your fiancée to the United States, you need a K-1 visa. This allows her to enter the country for marriage. The costs include:

K-1 Visa Fees: The government fee for a K-1 visa is about $2,790, including the petition, visa application, and adjustment of status after marriage.
Medical Exams: Your fiancée needs a medical exam, which costs $200 to $500.
Legal Assistance: Hiring a lawyer to handle paperwork can cost $500 to $1,500. This is optional but recommended to avoid mistakes.

These costs are fixed and required by U.S. immigration laws, so you cannot avoid them.

Wedding Expenses

Wedding costs depend on what you want. A simple courthouse wedding costs around $100 to $500 for a marriage license and basic ceremony. A larger wedding with guests, a venue, and decorations can range from $10,000 to $23,000 or more. For example, a wedding in Japan can cost up to $23,000 due to traditions, while a modest U.S. wedding is much less.

Gifts and Dates

During your relationship, you may want to send gifts or spend money on dates. Small gifts like flowers or perfumes cost $10 to $50. Larger gifts, like jewelry, can cost hundreds. Dates during your trip, such as dinners or outings, typically cost $300 to $1,000 for a week.

Total Cost Estimate

On average, the total cost of finding and marrying a mail order bride ranges from $5,000 to $20,000. This includes:

Online dating: $1,000 to $1,500 over several months
Travel: $2,000 to $4,000 for a two-week trip
K-1 visa: $2,000 to $2,800
Wedding: $100 to $10,000 or more
Gifts and dates: $500 to $1,000

These numbers vary based on your choices, the bride’s country, and how long the process takes. For example, marrying a woman from Colombia may cost less than one from Japan due to lower travel expenses.

How to Save Money on Mail Order Bride Costs

You can reduce expenses without hurting your chances of finding a bride. Here are ways to save money while using National Bridal Service.

Choose a Cost-Effective Destination

Countries like Colombia and Mexico are cheaper to visit than Japan or South Korea. Airfare and living costs are lower in Latin America, which makes it a budget-friendly option. For example, a trip to Mexico costs $600 to $1,000, while a trip to Asia can exceed $2,000.

Use Credits Wisely

A credit system lets you control spending. Stick to text messages instead of video calls to save credits. Take advantage of free credits for new users and discounts for verified accounts. For example, 35 free credits can cover initial chats, which lets you test the platform without spending much.

Plan Travel in Low Season

Traveling during off-peak seasons, like fall or winter, can cut flight and hotel costs. For example, a flight to Poland in November is often cheaper than in summer. Use sites like SkyScanner to compare prices and find deals.

Keep the Wedding Simple

A courthouse wedding or small ceremony with close family saves thousands compared to a large event. If you want a bigger wedding, consider hosting it in the U.S. rather than abroad to avoid high venue costs in countries like Japan.

Limit Gifts

Small, thoughtful gifts like flowers or a $20 bouquet are enough to show interest. Avoid expensive gifts like jewelry or electronics unless you’re sure about the relationship.

Compare Agency Services

Some agencies charge high fees for services like translation or matchmaking. Compare services with others to ensure you get the best value.

What You Should Not Save On

While saving money is smart, some areas require investment to ensure safety and success.

Safety and Security

In 2022, the Federal Trade Commission reported 70,000 victims of dating site scams. Never use free dating sites, as they often lack security and have more fake profiles. Paying for our premium features, like profile verification, protects you from scams like catfishing or phishing.

Communication

Building a relationship requires regular contact. Skimping on messages or video calls can make it hard to connect with your potential bride. Spend enough credits to maintain consistent communication, especially in the early stages. Video calls, though more expensive, help you confirm the person is real and build trust.

Travel

Meeting in person is important. Don’t skip a trip to save money, as it’s the only way to know if the relationship will work. A single trip costing $2,000 to $4,000 is worth it to confirm your connection before moving forward with a visa.

Visa and Legal Fees

The K-1 visa process is complex, and mistakes can delay or deny approval. Pay the full $2,790 for the visa and consider hiring a lawyer for $500 to $1,500 to handle paperwork correctly. This ensures your fiancée can enter the U.S. legally.

Health and Background Checks

Your fiancée needs a medical exam for the K-1 visa, which costs $200 to $500. Skipping this can result in visa rejection. Background checks, often part of agency fees, are also important to ensure safety. Our platform includes these checks to protect you.

Why Choose National Bridal Service?

At National Bridal Service, we work with trusted partner dating sites to make finding a foreign bride easy and secure. Our platform connects you with women from around the world while ensuring safety and convenience. Here’s what we offer:

Verified Profiles: We collaborate with our partner sites to verify profiles, which reduces the risk of scams. Unlike free dating sites with many fake accounts, we prioritize your safety.
Affordable Credits: Our credit packages start at $2.99, and new users receive free credits to begin their search. This makes it cost-effective to connect with potential brides.
Dedicated Support: Our team, along with our partner sites, assists with communication and planning to help you avoid common issues and build strong relationships.
Wide Selection: Through our partnerships, you can connect with women from countries like Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, Colombia, and more.

We comply with laws like IMBRA and VAWA to protect both you and your potential bride. Our focus is on creating genuine connections, not just transactions, which helps you find a partner for a lasting marriage.

Final Thoughts

Finding a mail order bride involves costs ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, which depends on your choices. You can save by choosing affordable destinations, using credits wisely, and keeping the wedding simple. Nevertheless, don’t cut corners on safety, communication, travel, or legal fees.

Start your search today at nationalbridalservice.com. With us, you’re one step closer to finding your future wife.