Wedding Cake Adventure

Alright, I took the leap.  My sister (Leslie @ Try To Keep Up) asked, er, well I think the more accurate word would be begged me to make her wedding cake.

Leslie & Me wedding dress shopping last summer

Don't worry, this isn't actually the dress she bought - that will be a surprise!

I was really hesitant at first.  I mean, it's a lot of pressure.  I've made a couple cakes before, and played with fondant a couple times:

1. Fondant attempt #1  2. Fondant attempt #2   3. Skor cake - aka bad stacking  4. More fondant (purchased)

I really don't care too much for fondant.  It looks alright, but I think that it's gross and difficult to work with.

One of the reasons Leslie wanted me to make her cake was because she already has to pay for dessert with the meal, and so she really doesn't want to pay a lot for a cake.

So...the more I thought about it, the more I do kinda want to do it.  Should I? Maybe not, but I like a challenge.

The cake that I found that I'm taking my inspiration from is this one.

(source)

However, I don't want the stress of working with fondant - especially in Vancouver in August, can you say humid?!  

AND if found this killer tip for smoothing buttercream.  

Using a high density foam roller!!  I've gotta try it!

So I think I'll be experimenting with buttercream and possibly cream cheese icing (we're leaning towards carrot cake for one of the layers!)  It'll be cakes for every occasion from now until August!  

For the most part, I'll be taking my advice from Make It And Love It for stacking & icing cakes, but I'd love to hear from you who have done this before.  What do you wish someone would have told you?