I have a short notice cake with not enough time for it to settle. I am concerned about bulging. This cake is going to be covered in fondant, which is heavy. Is there anything I can do to reduce chances of bulging? Thanks in advance.

After you fill it, use your clean hands or a cake pan with the bottom side down to gently push down on the whole cake - this forces it to settle a little bit. Not as good as a good overnight settle, but it'll work in a pinch.

also make your icing damn out of really thick BC.... and when stacking your cake make sure your dowels aren't too short...