It's lovely. I would keep the tile the major pattern in the space and keep the grout lines the color of the tile to "disappear". Bottom line, the interesting tile is fabulous! No worries as it will look great when finished. Just don't let other patterns compete with the tile.

I think I would stack them. It's a contemporary tile pattern and stacked feels more contemporary to me. Also the pattern seems to want to be aligned.

Also the vertical seams align so I would want the horizontal to align as well.

No, tiles will be broken and worthless How big of a deal depends on how accommodating the contractor is and how much you want to spend. Will you dwell on it for years and always kick yourself for not biting the bullet and making it how you want? It's a specific pattern and I think intended to be aligned.

I agree with CCM, when using anything with pattern, the pattern should line up, that is the intention when it comes to use of patterns.

Looks good. Hopefully your tile setter didn't give you too much grief.

I would do stacked pattern with this size of tile actually they suggest yo do not use that layout that you have for large format tile.

Oh! So much better! That's exactly the way the belong. They are gorgeous!