How This Socially Conscious Wedding Venue is Making It Easier Than Ever to Give Back on Your Big Day

In 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made headlines when they asked well wishers to forgo wedding gifts. Instead, they requested that guests donate to a select group of charities tackling issues near and dear to the royal couple’s hearts. Their “pay it forward” philosophy reflected a growing desire among couples toward what the wedding experts at the The Knot are calling one of the top trends of 2020: giving back.

Still, with all of the thousands of details (and dollars) demanding attention when wedding planning, figuring out how to turn the attention away from you and to the greater community can be difficult. The good news for benevolent couples is, it doesn’t have to be, thanks to a local venue’s first of its kind charitable offering.

At Kimpton Marlowe Hotel, an eclectic and engaging hotel located just over the bridge from Boston in East Cambridge, philanthropy is key to their Kimpton Cares philosophy. That’s why this new year they’ve launched a thoughtful and beneficial way for couples to share their special day with the causes they care about through their Give Love & Give Back program.

How does it work?

Charity doesn’t get much simpler and stress free than this. Host your wedding at Kimpton Marlowe, and 10% of your wedding bill* will be donated on your behalf to one of several local non-profits, or a charity of your choice. That means saying “I do” at Kimpton Marlowe doesn’t just mean the start of your new life together, but the chance to improve the lives of others as well.

“It’s all about wanting to help support those who are in need in the communities we inhabit,” says Kimpton Marlowe Wedding Sales Manager Ellie Durbin. “Since we’re here to make any wedding as easy and effortless as possible, we wanted to make giving back just as simple.”

Which organizations can you give to?

Couples have the opportunity to donate to a charity of their choice, or to one of Kimpton Marlowe’s philanthropic partnerships with five impactful local charities:

• BAGLY: provides programming, support, and services to the Boston LGBTQ+ youth community
• Cradles to Crayons: provides clothing and other everyday essential items to homeless and low-income children in Massachusetts
• Dress for Success Boston:  empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing professional attire and job retention support
• The Greater Boston Food Bank: distributes healthy food and resources to neighbors in need in order to end hunger throughout Eastern Massachusetts
• MSPCA-Angell: provides care for homeless, injured, or abused animals

Here’s how a couple of the non-profit leaders say your giving can help make a world of difference for those in need, like providing children with customized “KidPacks” of essential items and vulnerable communities with free mental health therapy services.

“Donations through this unique program will support Cradles to Crayons’ annual goal of providing more than 147,500 children ages 0-12 living in homeless or low-income situations in Massachusetts with what they need to thrive at home, at school, and at play,” says Robin Elliott, Associate Director of Corporate Relations & Foundations for Cradles to Crayons.

“This partnership, and your contribution to it, keep the life-changing programs and services at the BAGLY Community Center running,” adds Kurtlan Massarsky, Director of Development and Marketing for BAGLY.

What else can you expect from hosting a wedding at Kimpton Marlowe Hotel?

Whether it’s bringing the community together through giving or friends and family together for a couple’s special day, Kimpton Marlowe makes it their mission to provide support every step of the way. Here are three other unique amenities that make Kimpton Marlowe stand out from the wedding venue crowd:

An Awe-Inspiring Location

The hotel boasts gorgeous and flexible indoor and outdoor spaces that offer stunning views of the Charles River and city skyline.

A Mouthwatering Menu

David Bazirgan, Executive Chef of Kimpton Marlowe’s award-winning Bambara Kitchen + Bar oversees all the food and beverages at the hotel, and is always excited to craft customized wedding menus for guests who fancy something personalized and extra special on their plate.

Undivided Attention

A seasoned wedding specialist will work with you from start to finish to ensure your vision comes to life, while having a ball along the way. The hotel is also dedicated to only hosting one wedding at a time, so all of their focus remains on you and your important day.

There are many wedding venues out there, but only Kimpton Marlowe can help you hold a ceremony that celebrates your love and love for the community through charity. After all, the love you have can do more than you ever imagined when it’s widespread.

To inquire about hosting your wedding at Kimpton Marlowe hotel, visit hotelmarlowe.com or email SayIDo@hotelmarlowe.com. To learn more about the charitable partners participating in Kimpton Marlowe’s Give Love & Give Back program, please click on their names above.

*Terms and Conditions: Donation amount is based on total, actualized food and beverage, prior to taxes and fees. Donation amount is not to exceed $2,500.00. Wedding must be booked and contracted between December 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020, and hosted on or before December 31, 2021. Not applicable to weddings booked and contracted prior to December 1, 2019. Donation will be made on behalf of the married couple and completed within 60 days of the wedding date.

This is a paid partnership between Kimpton Marlowe Hotel and Boston Magazine