My husband and his brother (a landscaper) laid pavers in our yard, they first put down gravel (about the same size of yours) and then a layer of sand. The sand was then screed and firmed to make a stable, even base for the pavers. Just laying them on gravel would make them too uneven.

No.

You install fabric first, a layer of compacted gravel, a layer of compacted sand and then your pavers.

If you don't do it correctly the first time you will get to do it again sooner than later. Ever trip on an unlevel piece of concrete sidewalk that is sticking up because it moved? That is what you will have everywhere if you try to take shortcuts.

actually, Yes.

I've dug a 4 - 6 inch trench for the gravel. laid my commercial-grade fabric weed block. then used a mix of my old gravel with fill dirt (mix of crushed stone and dirt) and used a compactor to set it in. i compacted every 1 - 2 inches after adding more gravel / fill dirt mix. worked great. solid and strong. also installed a french drain system.

I'll add my sand and begin laying the pavers next weekend. thank you for the replies.

How long does it take for the gravel to set before laying pavers?

not trying to be smart, but does weed block if there is soil on top of it?