"BenignVanilla" sez:
My current plan does not include a skimmer. Do you think I'll regret it?

I'm in the minority apparently. I don't have a skimmer. You can see my
pond pics at http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/kc/MyPond.html

If you could put one in easily, do it. But if you can't, it's not going to
destroy the pond.

And no, I don't have a bottom drain either.