so, i have to do my first wedding cake in a few months. i've been practicing but am having a hard time getting the sides perfectly smooth. i saw someone on here say something about a paper towel.....but what do you do with it? anyone else have any pointers? i'll be using white buttercream icing. thanks.
Welcome 
There is a tutorial on this site that is past helpful!! It's called the Faux Fondant method. The paper towel (Viva) method or Faux Fondant method is where you let your icing crust and use your hand/fingers to rub the icing smooth using the paper towel. It's great! 
Another great method is the foam roller method by Melvira. It's on here also!
I use a Viva paper towel (the smooth side) and a fondant smoother. I figured out the other day that if I want a really sharp edge or corner, I can put my bench scraper up against the cake (with my paper towel underneath) and then smooth my fondant smoother right up to that edge and I get a nice sharp corner or edge of my cake. Another method that works wonders is Melvira's paint roller method. Here is the link to that topic:
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-42675.html
with bc, i let it dry up a bit and us my rolling pin. it works real good. Good Luck
Julie
S.A, TX
Not to confuse kchart 
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bethola -
I've been going to try parchment or wax paper because I've noticed some tiny bits of the paper towel sticking to the icing especially when it's a bit humid here, which, lately seems to be all the time.....
Question: do you still use your hand to smooth?
Yes, I use my hand to smooth. I feel like it gives me better control. I have used wax paper in a pinch, BUT, once got little black "flecks" in my icing. It could have been the type of wax paper I used (cheaper brand).
What IS IT with the South this year? I made a gumpaste bow and monogram one full month ago and left it to air dry. Guess what? IT'S STILL NOT DRY!!!! But, my back is killing me so I'm quite sure it's going to get cold in KY and "precipitate"! I don't know if it will be rain, sleet or snow, but, it will be something....and SOON!! My back is never wrong!
mjs4492, you can use your cake spatula or a fondant smoother. I've also used paint scrapers. I don't like to use my fingers because sometimes you can leave imprints of your fingers.
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