and you didn't try to 2016-ify it -- you got the silhouette right and of course you had to reach back from 2016 but you respected the fifty year old cakemanship -- hats off -- I raise my piping bag in salute

Thanks Memphis! That's what I was hoping to do...almost all of the replica cakes I've seen online have a modern twist. The daughter of the anniversary couple (who ordered the cake) was so thrilled, and also mentioned how upset she was that the florist put a modern twist on the bouquet replica. I think being as authentic as possible made the difference. I even did the horrible double plate method, which scared the crap out of me and made it that much harder. I do wish I had made the tiers even shorter, but it worked out! 

P.E.R.F.E.C.T.I.O.N