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I wouldn't put plastic. Mortar will not stick to plastic. I don't know about colder area of the country since my experience is in LA. Mix a good thin set along with mortar. It sticks better. How's the back side of the stone? Is it flat? If not, try to butter the back to elimate any empty spots. As long as there are no hollow space, then you should be ok. 1" thick flatstone should be plenty strong. Try a diamond blade on a Skill saw or worm drive saw. I sometime have these guys cut the back side and chip the top of the finish edges to get a little more natural look instead of a saw cut. Just more work and more money.
If you are worry about cracking, you can get a crack isolating sheet and thin set it on the surface first. I really wouldn't about the cracks. Let it crack, it looks natural that way. I get a helper. How many sq'. I should ask, how's your back?
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