On arrival, what is the next step?

[slim 1,514]

Basically, after you get married you'll need to apply for AOS (which will result in her getting a green card) and you can file for EAD AP also. Honestly, I'd advise against both of those as they're really just a waste of money unless she plans on working pretty quickly or going back overseas.

Bad advice, especially since they are now included free of charge in the very high I-485 filing fee.

Right! I forgot they were now included in the astronomical fees associated with immigration. What do they work for the gas companies or something?

If it's included, might as well do it. Especially now that there are more delays with getting green cards, name checks, etc.

"Back in my day" it was all paid for separately and like other posters related the cards for EAD and AP usually arrived only a few weeks before the green card thus making them a $500+ "temporary work permit." Now's a different story though... go for it!

I've also read two schools of thought on the SSN. Some say, get it right away. Others say, if the bride is taking the USC's last name, wait until after the wedding so you don't have to change the new SSN card. I'm curious to hear more discussion on this... (local marriage laws here where I am say a passport is good for ID, so no SSN required for that)

Switching the SSN card to a new name is a very simple process provided she's already updated in the SAVE system under the new name. So, as Chris Parker pointed out, waiting until after you get the other "goods" is probably best before switching names. That said, getting the number as early as possible (two weeks after arrival) is a good thing because regardless of the name on that card, her number is always going to be the same and you can start doing things like applying for marriage licenses, drivers licenses, credit cards ("now you're a real American, honey!"), joint bank accounts, etc., etc., etc.

SSN is actually one of the easiest parts. Fill out a one page form (SSA-5 I believe) for initial application and then later go back with some kind of official document and do it again for the name change. Be advised though, sometimes an official document such as a marriage cert isn't enough. Only being updated in the SAVE system will guarantee that she can be issued a new card in the new name. Then again, that's what they told us that day. Who knows, could be a whole different set of rules in your neck of the woods.