Arkady said:
Another consideration these days, is that as cameras get cheaper (and whatever we may say, the non-photographic community will always equate image quality with the cost of the equipment you use), you don't want to be in the position of having Uncle Alf upstage you with his cameras - the customers will be asking why on earth they're paying you to do the job when thier relatives have better equipment. Project a professional image by using professional equipment.
on a similar vein, the last wedding i did i was asked to do it by a friend (i needed the experience so free booze and a small sum was all good) not only were my pictures better than the £1500 photographer in that they showed more life, were technically better (he fudged up the service, didnt meter properly i should think, the light made it tricky as the entire service took place infront of a window so you had bright windowlight and really dark shadows) but not only that but i looked and acted more proffesionally, built up a better rapor with the people i was photographing and annoyed them less with posing etc.
had i not been there to clear up after mr proffesional with his 2 mamiya medium formats, my friends would have missed vital memorys of the day, which simply should not and cannot happen when your being paid for wedding photography. its a scary state of affairs.
the best way as far as im concerned is that you should find some friends who are getting married, phone them, ask if you can take your camera along and take some shots, make sure they clear it with the proffesional (sometimes they get arsey about people getting in the way or stealing there shots etc) and take some pictures, either provide them with some prints or the full size digital images. dont ask for any money unless they offer and even then, just take expenses (printing costs)
and see how it goes, you might hate the pressure and the entire way of workingm you might enjoy it, but as mentioened you need to look proffesional and that also means using proffesional gear, these days there is more than a good chance that someone at the wedding may turn up with something that will totally overshadown your camera, and that doesnt look good, granted its what you do with it, but also its about giving the appearence that the happy couple are getting value for money.
as everyones mentioned, we are not trying to put you off, more ensure your fully aware of what you want to get yourself into!