British Marrying a Ukrainian under the Homes Scheme

Hi guys,

Need a bit of advice. I am British. I have proposed to my Ukrainian partner of 2 years so now we are engaged. Her current visa (BRP) is under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. This is due to expire in July 2025. She lived with hosts until we moved in together about 2 years ago. She works here. She will be eligable for the upcoming government 18 month Ukraine Permission Extension scheme. I have read into the process of marriage at the local registry office, which we can do but may take a little longer due to the fact that the registry office have to receive some kind of sign off from the Home Office as the spouse is non British. So marrying itself officially may not be an issue, but what do we do in terms of visas?

Should she first extend under the 18 month UPE scheme, and THEN we marry? If we married officially before the extension, would she not be elegible to apply for the 18 month extension and instead have to apply for a Spouse visa immediately before her current BRP expires? If she first extended her current leave for 18 months and THEN we married, how soon should she apply for a spouse visa?

I have tried to find out the answers to this but most things I read are from people whos partners live outside the UK. We live together in the UK.

Any advice / experience would be great.