Hey Everyone,
I just have to say first that the cakes I have seen picutres of are AMAZING! I have never taken any classes but am going to be doing my third wedding cake on June 24th. My first cake was for a 2nd marriage, my second cake was for a reception of 400 people on May 19th, my third cake is for renewal of vows coming up soon. I have been having the worst time getting my icing smooth.... I am going to be making a buttercream frosting for this cake. I made the last batch of icing I did with all real butter and it was sooo hard to get smooth. I just knew the bride didn't want any Crisco. Does anyone have any tips? BTW I am the photographer for a wedding the day before, so my time for decorting will be limited to Saturday after about 5, the renewal ceremony will be Sunday at 3. I am a hand made craft business owner (with my mom) and have a three year old and a 8 week old, so any advice will be welcome!
Thanks in advance!
If you use a crusting buttercream, you can use the Viva method or Melvira (paint roller) method. I believe there are tutorials for both. Even a buttercream with 1/2 butter and 1/2 crisco tastes worlds better than the typical grocery store buttercream.
Good for you! Your third wedding cake? I've been decorating cakes for 25 years and I'm afraid to do wedding cakes!
Welcome to cake central. You'll get all your answers in these forums.
Welcome to CC, Hoover!!
This is my favorite buttercream of all http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-4123-High-Humidity-Buttercream.html. It's all Crisco but it doesn't taste anything like Crisco and it holds up really good in high humidity. I replace the 1/2 cup milk with flavored coffee creamer and it tastes yummy!!
BTW, checked you website and I enjoyed looking at your hand-crafted crochet items. I too am an avid crocheter. Been crocheting for 25 years. Yikes!! Anyways, more power to handmade crafts! 
Thank you so much everyone. Now I have another question, in the High Humidity Buttercream recipe, it calls for Dream Whip.... What is that?
I do have some pics around, but my cakes are all done as gifts to the brides, soooo they are the best I can manage to turn out but pale in comparison to those that I have seen here!
I am really enjoying the opportunity to talk to others who are interested in cakes, my poor DH tries to get interested, but really just enjoys eating the practice cakes! 
Dream Whip is a powdered whipped topping mix, likely near Jello in the baking aisle. I tried this recipe yesterday and didn't care for it. There was a distinct "salty" aftertaste. I tried to cut it by adding more lemon, but it was still there. I went ahead and colored what I needed for a FBCT, but will make another batch without salt to mix into the rest. Also, the texture was a bit airy. When I do it again I'll keep the mixer on low all the time after the dry ingredients start going in. HTH
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