I am currently writing a book about a very lonely man.  I am
interested in adding a "mail-order" bride from eastern europe as a
character. I am interested in a somewhat detailed description of the
process.

How does a person find such a service?
What are some examples of these service providers?
How does a person select a potential bride and how do they first meet, etc? 
Is the couple married prior to the bride's entry to the US or does the
ceremony take place after?
What is the residency status of the bride before and after the wedding? 
Are there conditions that must be met by the bride to maintain residency status? 
What happens if they get divorced?
Is the husband legally responsible for the bride in any way?

Thank you!

Thanks for asking! 

How does one even find out about finding a bride?

It can be as simple as typing search terms into an Internet Search
Engine -- I've used Google -- and paging through the results.

Google Search: brides eastern europe
://www.google.com/search?q=brides+eastern+europe

The first entry, Foreign Brides, Reviews and Links offers entree to
over forty sites that advertise introduction to brides from Eastern
Europe.


The Agencies
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The listed sites are agencies (both online and on the street) that
solicit registrations from women who wish to meet and/or marry men
from other parts of the world. Most of these agencies charge a fee for
their services. Some offer free addresses as well
(http://www.charming-lady.net/).

Foreign Brides / Eastern Europe / Sites and Links
http://www.online-dating.org/Foreign_Brides/Eastern_Europe/index.html


The Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The marriage agencies charge for introductions, by mail or email, to
the ladies on their roster. They offer pictures and descriptions to
select from. Some agencies offer matchmaking services as well, based
on interests, or stated preferences.

Services - Marriage Agency "Ekaterina"
http://yourrussianlady.ck.ua/service.html

Services - Wife2Be
http://www.wife2be.com/services.htm

Services - Adam & Eva
http://www.adam-and-eva.com/service.shtml

Most of the agencies start the introduction process with written
correspondence, either via e-mail or e-mail-to-local-snail-mail. They
offer forwarding and translation of mail. Prices range from pennies
per word for translation, to flat fees of $80 a month or more for
"clubs" and monthly unlimited access.

I admit I've always had some skepticism about the legitimacy of all
such agencies, but in my search today, I've run across passages that
have the ring of honesty to them. I'm female, btw, however, not from
Eastern Europe, nor in the market for a gentleman.

As relationships progress, the agencies offer additional services,
such as arranging telephone calls, and ultimately travel arrangements
to meet the potential bride. Agencies arrange transportation, tours
and lodging. Translation services are available at every step of the
process. Some, not all, agencies provide U.S. Visa assistance
services.


The U.S. Visa
----------------------------------------------------------------------

One website, Loving Latin, Asian & European Ladies, offers a single
page overview of the U.S. Visa process. Due to copyright limitations,
I can only quote an excerpt here in the Answer, but you may read the
entire article at the link listed directly below the excerpt.

"Marrying a foreign national is a completely different experience than
marrying a resident of the United States. In this country, you and
your beloved just go down to the license bureau, apply for a marriage
license, and then tie the knot. When joining your life with an alien
spouse, marriage alone does not necessarily allow the married couple
to be together in this country. The Unites States government must be
petitioned to permit your spouse to live with you in the United
States."

The Fiancee Visa Process
http://lovingladies.wwdl.net/information/prg2b7.shtml

Marriage Abroad
http://lovingladies.wwdl.net/visa/abroad.shtml

Petitioning for An Alien Fiancee (K-1 Fiancee Visa)
http://lovingladies.wwdl.net/visa/petition.htm

Affidavit of Support
http://lovingladies.wwdl.net/visa/I-864.htm


The U.S. State Department and Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization
Services explain the process and eligibility in a number of documents.

American Citizen-Foreign National Marriages
http://travel.state.gov/marriage_visas.html

Marriage of U.S. Citizens Abroad
http://travel.state.gov/marriage.html

Marriage Laws - Traveling Abroad
http://usmarriagelaws.com/search/traveling_abroad/marriage_formalities/index.shtml

Marriage Abroad in Russia (Example)
http://usmarriagelaws.com/search/traveling_abroad/marriage_formalities/russia/index.shtml

Bureau of Consular Affairs
http://travel.state.gov/visa;fiancee.html

New K and V Visa Categories
http://travel.state.gov/vvisas/index.html

Bringing A Fiancee to Live in the U.S.
http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/fianceapp.htm

How Do I Bring My Fiancee to the United States?
http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/fiance.htm


After Entry into the U.S.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The alien fiancé(e) must apply for work authorization with the BCIS.
The marriage must take place within 90 days of admission into the
United States. Following the marriage, the alien spouse must apply to
the BCIS to establish a record of entry for conditional permanent
residence status. After two years, the alien may apply to the BCIS for
removal of the conditional status.

The Naturalization Process
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/index.htm


Where Can I Find the Law?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is a law that governs the
admission of people into the United States. For the part of the law
concerning fiancé(e) (K-1) visas, please see INA § 214. The specific
eligibility requirements and procedures for applying for the fiancé(e)
(K-1) classification are included in the Code of Federal Regulations
[CFR] at 8 CFR § 214.2(k).

http://uscis.gov/lpBin/lpext.dll/?f=id&id=slb-act214
http://uscis.gov/lpBin/lpext.dll/?f=id&id=slb-8cfrsec2142k


Responsibilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------

After marriage, with U.S. residence, the husband's responsibilities
are the same as with marriage to a U.S. citizen spouse, with the
addition of maintaining the level of support described in the Visa
application.


Immigration Issues - Foreign Spouses
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Divorce: "If the marriage ends or the US citizen spouse fails to
cooperate in the filing of the I-751 application, the foreign spouse
can file for a waiver. Waivers will be granted if the applicant can
show:

- extreme hardship if the applicant is deported or
- the marriage was entered into in good faith and terminated

If the waiver is based on good faith entry into the marriage, the
applicant should submit documents showing merged financial assets,
length of the time the couple lived together and the grounds for the
divorce. The waiver may be submitted before or after the 90 day
period."

Visa Spotlight - Spouses of U.S. Citizens
http://www.visalaw.com/96oct/5oct96.html

US Tax Implications of a Non-American Spouse
http://www.aca.ch/brunaltx.htm

International Marriages
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0107/international_marriages.shtml

Statistics - Immigrant Women in the U.S.
http://www.migrationinformation.org/USfocus/display.cfm?id=2



Search Strategy
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Google Search Terms

"mail order bride" experience
immigration visa fiancee
foreign marriage

I hope you find this information useful. Should you have any questions
about the links provided, please, feel free to ask for clarification.

---larre

Answered all my questions. Thanks!