How much money does a wedding photographer make in a year?

There isn't one; it's like asking what the average cost of a wedding dress is. Just realize you get what you pay for. You won't get a $4,000 package for $1,000. You'll get a $1,000 package. The best thing you can do is, prior to setting your Photography budget, get prices from a range of studiOS in your area. You may want to ask around town to get the names of the more reputable photographers in terms of quality and service. Your married friends and family can help since they probably used a photographer when they got married. Another great source is other wedding vendors. Ask your florist, dress retailer, and banquet manager. They all talk to lots of brides and probably have heard stories of who's good and who's not.

Some photographers will mail or email you information. Others may only give you specifics if you come in to their studio for a meeting. This isn't necessarily a bad thing though. It's VERY good for you to meet your potential photographers and see their work in person before making a final decision. You will want to see at least one sample album showing a complete wedding from start to finish. This is more useful than looking at a bunch of random samples from many weddings because you will see how they tell the entire wedding-day story from start to finish. You also want to meet them to experience their personality. Believe it or not, how well you "mesh" with them should have an impact on your decision. Think about it, your photographer will be very close to you your entire wedding day. So if you're not comfortable with them for some reason, that will show in the images.

Once you've gotten information from a number of studiOS, you can establish your photography budget based on the various products and services that are available, and the level of quality you can afford. Keep in mind that the better and more well-established photographers will nearly always charge more than a hobbyist who only shoots a few weddings a year. This is because the professional has invested in better equipment, back-up equipment, education & training, extra staff (if they bring assistants with them), and years of building their quality and reputation.