Nigerian Joseph Iwueke was about to marry Slovakian Ingrida Stojkova, from Daubhill, in a bid to keep him in the UK.
But Home Office investigators swooped to arrest the pair in July last year after suspicions were raised by a registrar in Leeds just before the bogus ceremony was about to take place.
Stojkova was led away in a white dress, while Iwueke was arrested by officers in his wedding suit.
Organisers Obinna Odelugo, aged 49, a British national, and Slovakian Robert Stojka, aged 48, were both jailed for two years and three months after admitting conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law.
Stojka, of Higher Market Street, Farnworth, and Odelugo, of Greenhaven Drive, London, were found with £3,000 in cash when officers arrested them at the register office.
The money was seized by investigators and was forfeited by the pair under the Proceeds of crime Act at their sentencing at Leeds Crown Court today.
Iwueke, of Meynell Heights, Leeds, was jailed for two years and nine months for the same offence, and an extra fraud offence in relation to a false document. He admitted both charges.
Stojkova, of Southend Street, Daubhill, was given a 15-month prison term after pleading guilty to conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law.
Home Office investigator Mark Runagall said: "This group are now paying the price for what was a cynical attempt to bypass the UK’s immigration laws.
“Sham marriage abuse will not be tolerated.
"We work closely with registrars to identify suspicious marriages and we will rigorously pursue those who try to cheat the system.
“Whether you are an organiser or a participant, we will catch up with you and you will be sent to prison.”
A sham marriage or civil partnership typically occurs when a non-European national marries someone from the European Economic Area as a means of attempting to gain long-term residency and the right to work and claim benefits in the UK.
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