Practicing for my wedding cake

I'm using any excuse this year to make a Lambeth style cake, as I plan to make and decorate our wedding cake next year in June. This was my first attempt and I will admit, I'm very proud of it. It's a carrot cake with a layer of cream cheese buttercream and then vanilla swiss meringue buttercream. I've included the other design attempt before I settled with the final design ( first & second photo)

I am so so open to any suggestions to up the decorations though. I do think my meringue ended up being in a wee bit too soft. I think I might try the next one with royal icing