Wow...I've been sitting out of this one, but I'm going to offer my two cents.
You did, after all, ask for opinions. You asked "Am I normal?". And I get that you're new to the boards, but a quick look through planning journals or...anything on the board really, would have immediately answered the question that you're not. Personally, sure, I think a few people gave VERY strong opinions that you obviously didn't like. But you have to admit, you didn't take it very well, you got defensive and went crazy with the exclamation points. Really, when you ask a question in a public forum, you need to expect that people will give their honest opinions.
And people get all KINDS of crazy about weddings. And food. So when you put them together, well, BAM, you've got craziness all around.
I didn't have a reception, and nobody jumped down my throat about it, either via family or via the boards. Well there was that one aunt who said "NO dancing!? You mean...we have to stay outside and watch the fireworks...I'm going to be cold." Yeah, after we paid a kajillion dollars for the dessert party in Epcot. Yeah, she said this on the wedding day. To my face. And yup, I had explained to everyone how it was going to go. 2 newsletters. TWO! Still got it. So you might too.
So, we had a ceremony at Sea Breeze Point, and then went to Chef Mickey's for dinner. We had booked during free dining, but one aunt and uncle (guess which one???) didn't book in time, and ended up paying for the dining plan. We were asked if we were going to set up a tab for us to pay off so that everyone could drink at the restaurant. Ummmm. No. We don't really drink, unless it's a glass of wine or two, so why would we pay for everyone else to drink? Not the norm, but it's our wedding.
After dinner we had a dessert party in Epcot. I got to wear my dress because it was a private event and we paid for it. We used Disney transportation to get home, and while we could have taken a cab, we had some amazing conversations and moments in that bus line.
I get the cost factor, I really do. We're only 26, we're both paying of student loans, I don't have a full time job yet, etc. We worked to save money and have the best wedding that WE could have, because it's our day...and frankly, we didn't care what anyone else thought.
But you asked for opinions. Not only that, but you kind of broke a cardinal rule on here. We don't look for ways to break the rules at Disney on the boards. I think it's actually explicitly stated. Oh, I know your dress is short, and maybe if you posted it we could see...but it really just seems like you're out to break a rule that the rest of us have adhered to. But things can be taken the wrong way through a computer, so maybe just be wary of how you put things out there. People won't always like what you do or how you do it, so to avoid it, just don't ask. Personally, I'm more offended about the deliberately trying to bend the "No wedding dress in the park rule" than anything about food. And honestly? If I saw you and your crew in Epcot, all dressed to the nines, in a wedding dress...without an escort...I'd point you out to a CM. Because the rest of us here pinched and saved and followed the rules.
So, don't worry about the unconventional choices. It's your wedding. Nobody else's. Do it in the way that you want to! But you won't get any support here about bending the rules. Because, even if it is short? It's still going against what the rest of us adhere to.