I have a bride that hates buttercream and fondant but picked a cake that has very smooth icing. I always use the viva method on my buttercream and have never tried anything else. Any recommendations on recipes?

What about a whipped frosting? It will not crust, but is easy to smooth since its so fluffy. It a great piping frosting, though, and I'd be so nervous for it to weap in any heat! What does she hate about buttercream?

If she has picked a smooth icing as the ideal 'look' for her cake, then that icing is the end product she should be getting. I would encourage her to peel off the fondant or IMBC or SMBC or ABC etc on HER slice and enjoy the cake/ganache/filling combo underneath! Because that's how I make my cakes. You need to be 100% confident with using a different product, method, technique or recipe. Have you thought about how a different icing would combine with your usual cakes?

If I still have an odd request for something that may or may not exist, then I am afraid I would be saying no to this particular client.

Try out Italian Meringue Buttercream. It's a tad yellow because of the butter in it but you can get it pretty white with Wilton whitener a toothpick tip of violet color and by substituting high ratio shortening for one of the three sticks of butter. Just delivered a cake with that icing on it.

I was going to suggest SMBC or IMBC too! You can get those VERY smooth!

What about ganache?

Or even covering the cake with white modeling chocolate. It can be rolled out like fondant.

Thanks for all of the responses. Is Italian Buttercream crusting or not? I love the viva method to smooth.

Non crusting.