Hi my3bibs,
I've only used MMF once...on my Barbie cake.
Your cake looks good to me for your first time...just need a little bit more smoothing and a border around the bottom. 
Don't be embrassed to show your work...we all have a first for everything. 
Can't wait to see your next one!!
I like the design of your cake! Very cool.
One thing I've found with the MMF (vs. other fondants I've used) is that you have to have the cake and buttercream underneath very smooth for it to look its best. I was expecting it to hide flaws like my other homemade fondant recipe does, but it must be a little softer or something like that.
I've found a fondant smoother is a useful tool to get a good finish. Also, as you are attaching the fondant to the the sides of the cake , gently pull the fondant away from the cake, kind of like you're fluffing a full skirt (sorry if that doesn't make sense!) and gradually and slowly smooth the fondant against the cake from top to bottom. That will help you avoid any creases at the bottom edge. It's tricky--I always have to have a border around the bottom to hide my little mistakes! Someday I'll master it completely! 
My dh cringes at the mere mention of fondant, because I always beg him to help me with it, especially on larger cakes.
HollyPJ,
Just love that remark about your DH...super cool
My youngest son's nickname is P.J.
It's a really good first cake!! 
The pics of some of my fist cakes are hidden in a deep dark hole! It takes a lot of guts to post pics while you learning a technique. A nice thick coat of buttercream always helps my cakes look smoother. If you can't find a grease proof board, there are lots of diffrent papers you can cover the board with. It will make a big diffrence in presentation. You cake looks really yummy!
No disaster. The mmf came out fine. Just looks like you needed more buttercream underneath. Easy to fix for the next cake. My first mmf smoothed out very well, but I didn't color the mmf . My sis in law said, "it looks just like a giant roll of toilet paper." I won't make that mistake again.
I've got another tip that really helped me get through the last few fondant covered cakes to minimize the bunching at the base of the cake. Raise it onto upside-down storage containers or a coffee tin! Something sturdy. I think I got the tip off of this site, so thank you to that poster. But it sure makes a difference! Especially when you try cakes with corners! The folds form below the cake board so making the cake sides smooth is a breeze! I also let my cross cake (in my photos) sit on the containers a while to let it settle, then trimmed more!
(P.S. I've hidden my bunching with ribbon!)
HTH!
Mirjana
I just did a practice wedding cake with MMF and I had a rough time smoothing also. I finally gave up trying to smooth from left to right, and went top to bottom, just like someone posted earlier. Don't be to tough on your self. I figure with pratice, all of us beginners will pick it up and smooth fondant like the pros. Good job on your first attempt.
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