Do you think this is done by just laying on a layer of piping gel and just pouring on different sized pearls?  Then hand placing the larger pearls? Is there a better way?

I think that is probably how it was done.  There is a tool called the Drageekiss, which will be on the market shortly, which is an applicator for applying pearls much more easiy and quickly than with tweezers.

I concure w/her ^^^ :)

Yes, that appears to be much hand work.    Put each tier in a larger pan and pour the smallest dragees on slowly so the excess drops into the pan (to collect them w/o mess) then hand place the larger one.  I'd probably dip each one in piping gel to be sure they stick as some of them are layed over the tiny ones.

uggg.  ok, thanks. :)  Next on list is to find a place to order pearls.  Bride has decided she wants it all butter cream so I think that will add to the difficulty.

Since I was 'born' in this cakeing business by being trained in b'cream I see no problem.   I would use this recipe:  https://www.cakecentral.com/recipe/22469/2-icing - using the 'crusting' version at the end of the posted recipe.

I think I would Very lightly coat the b'cream w/maybe a slightly thinned down (add a bit of water) piping gel before pouring on those tiny beads, then dip each of the larger ones into a very small amount of it to adhere them to the cake. 

I did it!  I ended up just kind of glopping on by hand...

And it looks really good:)

It is stunning!  I actually prefer it to the other cake.  Hand glopping works!

beautiful — very well done

Very pretty indeed...your gloping method worked very well!!