How do you become successful in the wedding photography business?

I suppose you have experience, a portfolio, have taken formal classes and you've done an apprenticeship with an experienced, established professional phtoographer?

In being a wedding photographer, you will find that you will have dry spells and a lot of free time on your hands; for that reason, I suggest that you expand your business to also include portraits, graduations, Christenings, and maybe even do a little of children and/or baby photos. Those are opportunities to make money ANeD to get your name known. Depending on the area where you're located, you might also want to work for a shop that does on-site photo processing (learn how to operate the equipment, machines, etc... learn as much as you can and keep your eyes and ears open).

Consider also taking a few businesses classes at the local "Y" or local community college through the Evening Adult & Continuing Education Department; it will help you in more ways than one... taxes, accounting, etc. Talented and skilled photographers go bankrupt all the time because they have no kind of business sense; learn as much as you can.

Getting started ain't always as easy as we imagine. For that reason you might want to visit a few churches and speak with the Holy Man, leave a few cards or make a professional looking circular and post it on the bulletin boards, do a few freebies or give them as much of a break as you can (use this to build a portfolio, get recommendations... future referrals) for a few people on really tight budgets. Bridal shops often don't say anything but they may expect a "finder's fee" or a tip (which I am sorely against), flower shops, beauty salons, etc. Speak with the proprietors and let them know that you're just starting out; take a few of their cards and also offer to pass them to any and all of your clients. Do you know anyone in the catering business? That's also a plus.

Don't give up. Starting is always the most difficult part! Listen, all the talent and skills in the world won't amount to anything unless you have the passion to persevere and overcome those obstacles you're sure to encounter; so, hang in there. Good luck and very best wishes.

Start by contacting local churches and offering to do your first few weddings for the cost of the prints and albums. They will know of people getting married and will make your offer to them. Then ask them for referrals and letters of recommendation, and make samples from their weddings that you can show other potential clients. Also put up a website a.s.a.p. and join the wedding websites that redirect clients to your site. These are usually in the $50 a year range. You can find them by doing a search for wedding photographers. Also join local networking groups. Most people know someone who's getting married. It's like starting a snowball rolling downhill. It's tough to start, but will pick up speed over time. Good luck and God Bless.

I suggest you have to build brand awareness first. Clients won't find you for their best moment if they don't know you well. It will require time for them to understand you and learn your photography styles.

Many photographers joined photographer directory and start building their brand. As more clients visited the platform and search for their perfect photographer, they will review your work and contact you through the platform.

Take it slow and be patient.

Some platform suggest:
PreweddingShot.com
Snapknot

Wedding photography is a serious business. Before starting any business first check were your credit stands with the bank. Since you sound like a rooky only by being a professional's assistant would you get the best tips and advice. It is not as simple as Peter Parker selling his pics to The Daily Globe or whatever.

[I]t really depends if you are in a large city or not I think (location). Try adds in local newspapers.

I'm just agreeing with kehkohjones when he says to expand your horizons. Man, weddings are what people try to get OUT of doing after a while. Maybe you can do some on-site portraiture, especially if you live in some unique location like near the beach, etc. You might find some of THOSE people come back and ask if you can do a wedding if they were happy with your family or individual portraits.

You have to offer something the other photographers don't have. Figure out what makes you unique & why every bride must have you photograph the wedding. Make all of that available for viewing on your website.

I have no idea what that might be...

I strongly encourage you to design and post a website displaying your skills. This has proved the best source of new contacts for me during the last year. A lot of brides are doing a search for wedding photographers...start at the top and work their way down the list. If you can build the site yourself....(I have a simple, clean site that loads quickly and is easy to navigate.) you save a lot of money. Of course when you look at your rivals they may have a site with all sorts of bells and whistles...but they also paid for it. When you get new material you post it quickly and perhaps toss in a slide show....
the web offers you a lot of opportunity to get your work out there for people to see. I get a lot of calls from brides out-of-state who are willing to pay for my travel and hotel so I can shoot their wedding. The local stuff is great but you're fighting a saturated market.

Good Luck

you can try by doing it for friends, if you know make up and bridal deco people, you may try combining with them to offer a package deal, making a one stop convenience and lower prices as a selling point. taking part in competitions will help because if all things being equal, then being an award winning photographer will definitely be the tie breaker.
hope that these suggestion will help.
God bless.