Can those who've installed this in the past (link here) help me out? Are the tabs sticking out of each side just there so your fingers can grab something without smudging the film, and it needs to be cut out later?

I put it up against the fog light and I can't see how it would fit on there without a bunch of wrinkles

Yes the tabs are just for handling. Once you get it all on there it can be trimmed if you want, but if I remember correctly you can't see them because they are behind the trim. I put mine on without removing the trim. Just apply the film and start in the middle with your thumb and work the bubbles outwards in a circle. Get it down bubble free and then leave the fog lights on for a bit to heat it all up and it will stick fine. I put mine on week one in 2023 and it looks the same today as it did then.

I installed the Lamin-X film on my fog lights. I took to sliver trim off that surrounds the fog lights... made the job so much easier. I referenced the PowerfulUK YouTube video for removal. Basically, grab it and pull straight out...super simple. I used a heat gun (light heat) to help "mold' it to the curvature of the fog light along with wetting the back to smooth it over the light. Tons of YouTube videos showing how to apply.

Same here - took about 20 minutes and looks good after 2 years