Married on a bluff overlooking the American River, Rebecca Rice and Greg Brensilver envisioned a wedding that would reflect their ecological, social and religious values. Social workers who met in graduate school at UCLA, the couple’s nuptials featured vegetarian fare, organically grown flowers and an alternative gift registry.

“Sometimes people can get pulled into the whole big wedding thing,” says Rice, 31. “We wanted our wedding to be aligned with our values and who we are.”

In a family friend’s backyard, the couple exchanged personally-written vows under a Chuppa—a Jewish wedding shelter. Rocks the couple collected on camping trips surrounded the Chuppa as a nod to their love of the outdoors.

Both vegetarian, the couple served meatless Mediteranean fare catered by All Seasons, All Reasons. The food included falafel, mousaka and roasted vegetables. Make-your-own ice cream sandwiches took the place of a traditional wedding cake.

Guests were asked to forego traditional wedding gifts and instead donate to one of three charities listed on an online alternative gift registry. If guests couldn’t afford a donation, they could select a non-monetary gift from the registry, such as offering the newlyweds guitar lessons or a home-cooked meal.

Even the walk down the aisle featured a unique touch. Greg and his parents walked down the aisle at the same time as Rebecca and her parents.

“We wanted it to be ours,” Rebecca says of the wedding.