I am doing my first wedding cake covered in fondant this weekend. My first question is when you put the dowel rods in the cake do you just measure them after you cover the cake and then push them through the fondant? I will prepare them on Friday and the wedding is on Saturday, what is the best way to cover them so the fondant doesn't dry up? If anyone has any other tips besides these questions I'd love to know! Thanks!

Here's a similar post which you might find helpful:

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-5958955-.html

HTH

I insert one dowel, mark where the top of the cake is, pull it out and cut it. I then cut all the other dowels the same length. Yes, after the fondant is applied. Otherwise your fondant may buckle. The icing under the fondant will keep it soft enough to cut through. It will certainly not be dried up over night. No need to cover it.

Thank you both for your help! The link will be extremely helpful! Thanks so much!