A friend is requesting a cake that she once had. She said it was an Italian wedding cake; that it tasted of almond and that it had a buttercream frosting.  She said that it was an old fashioned cake.  I thought maybe it had marzipan instead of fondant, but she insisted that it was buttercream.  Anyone have any ideas of what type of cake she is describing?

Try googling italian wedding cake.  At the same time look up italian rum cake.  It sound like it is one of those.  Or maybe a hybrid.  But, hundreds come up.

AIf it tasted of almond it was most likely with amaretto. Almond confetti is a very traditional thing at Italian weddings.

Could you not use Almond Meal as part of the dry ingredients....

You will get the Almond Taste - The Almond Meal texture plus a lovely moist Cake - without having to use Marzipan to cover it.....

It is freely available over here in Australia in all supermarkets.... Not sure where you are - or if it is freely available for you - but it would be a great option....

ETA:  Don't use Almond Flour - it doesn't like heat - thus using the healthier and better option of the Almond Meal

Bluehue :)

Many wedding cakes from Italian bakeries are made with almond paste.  

Yes, of course, @Bluehue. I was simply answering the OP's question, not commenting on your alternative suggestion.