It's just an amazing coincidence that wedding photographers seem to make such an effort to educate the world on why it is such a great reason to hire them, especially if it has nothing to do with monetary gain. If the client doesn't want to hire a professional or pay a lot of money then that's up to them, it's their wedding and not everyone can afford it.
its a forum community thats what people do - its not like any of us are out there trying to convert random muppets in the street
It is entirely up to the individual whether they hire a pro , or indeed up to the amateur whether they want to risk doing them for a mate - but if they post asking for opinions they can't be suprised when they get honest opinions rather than having smoke blown up their arse.
Also you miss the point - its not about it being a good idea to hire a pro - its about it being a bad idea to expect your mate bob to be your pro because he has a 'fancy camera' if he isnt actually a pro - if you don't want to spend a lot to hire a pro then fine rely on guest photos , or don't have photo's at all
A
lot of people have replied to this thread saying that they took pictures for a friend or relatives wedding and everyone was happy, and that the photographer was till able to be as a guest.
actually not - its not practical to be a guest and 'the photographer' - its perfectly practical to be a guest and take some photos like any other guest but that isnt the same thing,
So it only becomes a problem when the pictures turn out bad, but that has nothing to do with it being either a wedding photographer or a friend.
Actually it does for two reasons
a) a good pro will have business costs (sometimes called PI) insurance , so if the photos are terible theres an opportunity to go to court and get his insurers to cough up the cost of restaging
b) even if the money isnt an issue , if a pro makes a cock of your wedding photos you can slag him down, witter about him on bitched, and generally give him grief - of course you can do this to you best mate bob as well ... but the relationship that gets buggered up might be more important than a pro you don't care about.
(b) is the principal reason i wouldnt advise any tog who's not experienced and with back ups etc to do their mates wedding - though as i said at the start I only give that advice if someone asks, i don't roam the streets with a placcard saying "togs don't do it"... and if he insists he wants to do it despite my advice i'll (like many others here) offer as much help and advice as possible to help him not cock up ... because thats what forums like this are for QED