Let me take you through the role of a wedding photographer..
Once you have your web site up and running you have insurance and a few grand of kit you can make a start. Advertising is one of the largest costs to be considered next to the kit costs. Then you go to meetings with the clients at no rewards, fuel isn't free and time as well. You then have a booking, So you have all the paper work which need to be double checked - I have had brides give me the wrong dates! - Then the day before, all the cameras are prepped for the big day.

At the big day, you arrive early dreading that you may get a flat tyre on route - Has happened once to me - You get there and meet the groom - if they are there - you start taking images of the venue, groom and the guests as they arrive - not knowing who is who - Then look around the venue to see where the best opportunity will be for the group and other shots, you consult with the vicar/registrar on weather you can take images, then you rush outside to meet the bride. You rush some shoots as everyone is waiting for her arrival, and you also need to be inside before her. - two places at once -

You shoot the ceremony in a dim lit church or office- this cast other colours on the images - shooting at a slow speed to get the lighting right and hoping there is no big movements that cause a blur - then capture the B&G as they walk up the isle, then run outside to get the leaving of the church/office.

Everyone come flying out behind them and your trying to get candid shots of the kisses and congrates - while many people come stand in your way - you then start to organise people and get hold of the best man and chief bridesmaid to get people ready for the groups shots - often having to be done quickly as no one bothered to ask when booking how long will the photos take - Your then under pressure to deliver and give everyone what they want, that's every one..
Your constantly followed by uncle john with his digital camera who gets under your feet just to copy the same layout you have - I don't see why as this will not give you a wide range of images and is annoying - You then have to be friendly and funny so everyone look happy in the photo and check to make sure everyone has there eyes open and looking the right way - not at uncle john - Then its pack everything up and off to the reception.

Getting to the location first to ensure that you get the B&G getting out of the car and going into the reception, - this is when smoking kills - then shooting guests in there little groups - in evolves contestant adjust ment to the camera for correct lighting. Then into the meal and capture the guest before they eat and the food as it is served, then a little sit down between courses - hurray - Then in and out to check which stage they are at and when the speeches will start, mean while backing up all the data on to a portable storage drive.
Cake cutting and speeches underway, now there is a need to be in three places at once capturing the face capture the B&G faces the guests and speakers.
As thing never are planned well, this leads directly onto the evening reception bar 30 minutes when I can get some shots of the B&G if their feet are not sore or they are about to pass out from rushing about since 5 in the morning.
With evening receptions most people will arrive, often a meet and greet will take place where you capture all the guests. Then its time for the first dance, slowly the night slows and you chat to guests and capture the nights events.

by now its around 22:00 - 23:00 hours and my feet have given up and i have cramp in my arm from dragging around 18 Kg of kit all day. Keeping a happy face say good by to the B&G guests and parents and drive back to the office. Off load all the kit from the car and back up the storage disc on to the office servers. by now its around 01 in the morning and I drive home.

Read about What happens after the wedding.