hey serenah, i'm sure your planning will come into place in no time! i'll try help as much as i can:
1. you can use an outside photographer, but you will need to source them yourself. You will also need to pay for a day pass for the photographer and any other staff they may have...as far as moon palace are concerned, they don't mind you using an outside photographer as long as they are a guest at a hotel - thats where the guest passes come in. With this in mind, any outside photographers i have contacted have also required a room for the night...they have said it doesn't matter where, so doesn't necessary have to be at mp.
2. I'm not sure if the prices vary depending on being inside or outside, but I have only looked at prices for the outside private reception...this is $400 per table of 10 for 2 hours..then $60 per hour per table of 10 after that.
3. I am the same, i don't care if there are no flowers at all on the tables!! As far as the ipod music goes, you can hire speakers and lighting....we have a bose portable sound system, so going to take that and hope they provide lighting for us!!
4. I think most people either use the dinner option included in the wedding package, or simply arrange to all meet at a specific restaurant. We are going to book one of the sunset cruises for our welcome dinner...it works out about $52 per person, but this includes the meal and booze...I just think it will be a missed opportunity if we don't lay something extra special on for all the people who have travelled with us.
Hope this helps you.