What is the quickest visa to get for my French boyfriend to stay in US?

My boyfriend is in the USA and is a French citizen; I am American. We want to get him a visa. He is on a J-1 Exchange Visitor Trainee visa (good for a year and a half) until the end date July 24, 2011 (no government aid helped him get this visa, he paid with his own money, therefore, he doesn't have to return to his country for a 2-year minimum requirement (it was waived). We definitely want to get married (eventually) and move to France in a few years, but aren't ready yet. Neither of us has been married yet or applied for a fiance visa. Neither of us has ever been turned down for a visa. He has only had this one visa before in his life. We have known each other for 1 year and 2 months (there is a 2-year GENERAL requirement to have known a person before you can get a K-1 fiance visa). Does anyone know anything about how long the H1-B visa or L visas take or which will be the quickest? Or any other visa? He is a joiner with specialty experience from the Compagnons du Devoir. He does all things wood (stairs, cabinets, doors, floors, walls, paneling, furniture, etc.) with specialized French techniques, which somehow fits into the architectural category. We really can't afford to hire a lawyer to figure this out. Also, we are both going to France when his visa runs out, for 2 months and we want to come back together, we don't want to be separated! Or would it be quickest to just get married here in the US while he's here, without any visa and apply for him a change of residence status afterwords, if possible? Or is this illegal or more time-consuming?? Please help!