So during the regular family and friends birthdays, we all play our little parts. There's the "first-on-the-dance-floor", the "gatherer", the "professional mingler" or even the "photographer". The role of cakecutter has always been thrust upon me. I don't know if it is because I'm good with a knife or talented with portioning. I have simply always been given the job to serve the cake.

Little did I know that I should have been charging a fee this whole time.

Wedding cakes are pricey pricey things at a few dollars a piece. For even a hundred guest wedding, it is no joke. However, when putting the cake cost in your budget, don't forget about the cakecutting cost. Yes, certain venues will charge a fee for cutting a cake - sometimes at another few dollars a piece. However, some venues have certain agreements with select bakeries and will sometimes void that cost. Ask this during your meeting with the caterer or the venue. Vancouver venues charge anywhere up to 7 dollars to cut and serve the cake - sometimes the cost may include a garnish of fruit or cream. Think of it as a bottle-opening fee at any other restaurant.

At 5 dollars apiece simply to cut the cake, your cake could come up to twice what you had anticipated.

The typical wedding speech is this. Heartwarming to the bride and the groom. Sometimes friends and family will insert some inside jokes that leave all guests confused. Often the speaker will inspire a few awkward laughs with an intentionally exaggerated humiliating story.

This is important. That is, the level of humiliation is exceptionally important. The story cannot be inappropriate - children and grandma friendly please. Laughs cannot be at the expense of anyone other than the couple.

Humour is ... a skill and a talent. Not everyone has it.

Back to the typical characteristics, they always go on far too long and you always have a merry band of people having something to say.

To prevent upset aunts from feeling left out, figure out who have made an impact in your life - related to the relationship or not. Everything you have experienced in your life has influenced the person you are today and that can always be related back to the relationship.

1) Figure that list of people out and then one topic they can speak about that will related themselves to you and your relationship.

2) Invite all your chosen speakers out on a lunch date individually and ask them would they be comfortable with speaking at your wedding. Remember to thank them and remind them of have much of an impact they have had on your life.

This meeting will ensure what they speak about is focused right from the beginning. Should you wait and tell them you want them to speak ... and then then tell them what you want them to speak about - you are sopping their creative juices ... in a bad way.

They are speaking publicly at your once-in-a-lifetime event. For your sake, please do not irritate them.