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Venue | Logistics | Weddings | Catering | Pricing & Menus | For Coordinators | About the Owners
Venue
What are your rates?
Our rates vary based on the time and day of the week, the type of event, and the number of guests. For example, offsite drop-off catering for a business lunch can be as low as $300. A weeknight wedding can be as low as $6,800 including catering, while a Saturday evening wedding starts at $15,000 (including rental, ceremony, parking, staff, food and beverage minimum, and more).
Because we combine a flat venue rate with per-person fees such as catering, the best way to find out what your event will cost is to meet with us. We also offer a myriad of options from decorations to florals, beverage packages, and so much more; tell us what you want and we will make it happen. You can also use the menus and pricing packets found on our website to get a basic idea of cost.
Please Contact Us or Book a Tour so that we can learn more about your event and provide you with details of our inclusions. We provide inclusive rental packages as well as custom-built events for our guests. Let us help you build your dream!
Do you offer any discounts?
Ask us about our off-peak rates and dates.
We also support nonprofits and active-duty military and veterans with discount pricing year-round.
- Nonprofits with an active 501c3 license receive 20% off of base rental pricing Sunday thru Friday.
- A military-hosted event, or wedding where one or more of the betrotheds are active duty or veteran, receives 10% off the base rental rate Friday through Sunday and 20% off base rental Monday through Thursday.
Plus, we always offer 25% off the base rental rate if booking 4 weeks or less before the event date.
Discount applies to venue rental rate unless otherwise stated. All events eligible, including weddings, engagements, birthdays, theme parties, performances, formals, and fundraisers. Discounts and offers cannot be combined.
How do I rent out the whole venue?
All Guest Areas are yours for the duration of your rental.
We are not a restaurant, nor are we open to the public.
Do you have an outdoor area?
While we do not have an outdoor patio, we have an enclosed atrium overlooking Lake Union, as well as nearby Fairview Park.
Fairview Park is available for ceremonies or celebrations that adhere to Seattle City Park rules and regulations. If available, Imperia will gladly obtain proper permitting and provide seating, non-alcoholic beverages, and catering for the portion of your event that takes place on park grounds.
Is there parking?
Yes! We have a large parking lot just North of the Imperia that is first come first serve. Guests are welcome to park in any Imperia-marked stall, complimentary.
Additional parking is on the street or adjacent paid lots. If available, we are happy to rent and reserve 45 stalls of additional parking in an adjacent private parking lot for your event.
Do you have a floor plan?
Yes! We have several floorplan options – Contact Us or Book a tour so that we can learn more about your event and provide you with tailored options.
Do you offer virtual tours?
Yes! You can check out our virtual tour through WeddingWire, or we would be happy to take you on a “zoom” or “facetime” walking tour if you are out of town.
How many people can I invite?
Due to the size of our venue, a typical event hosts 50-225 people.
We can accommodate up to 188 seated guests or up to 225 guests cocktail-party style.
We also offer exclusive venue access with multi-course menus and pairings, decor and more for small groups of 16-22 people.
Do you have green rooms/getting ready rooms?
Yes! We have two lounges that are perfect for your needs.
Are you eco-friendly?
Events, conferences, and meetings can have a significant impact on the environment, from travel emissions to waste and food production. At Imperia, we work hard to strike a balance between affordable options for our guests and environmentally-conscious choices.
Here’s what we do:
- Compost & Recycle
- Utilize Local Small Businesses as Vendors whenever possible
- Recent remodel to install new, low-energy equipment (HVAC, Kitchen Appliances, Lighting)
- Recycle Decor Materials
- Automatic/Motion-Sensor Lighting and Water Fixtures for conservation shut-off
- Occupancy Sensors on Heating/Cooling Units
- Easy Access to Public Transportation (including the future new bike lanes and Rapid Ride system just outside our door)
LOGISTICS
How many hours is my rental?
Our base rental is five hours. You can add additional hours if desired at a per-hour rate. Because our venue provides catering and florals, the rental window needed for your event is much shorter than most other venues (i.e. our vendors are already on-site, so you don’t need a giant window of time for them to unload/load, set up, take out the trash, etc. We do that for you before and after your rental window!).
Where can we smoke?
No smoking of any substance is permitted in, or within 25 feet of any entrance to, the facility. Receptacles are provided in front of our building, 25 feet from the entrance doors. Please advise guests of any event to follow and adhere to city ordinances regarding this.
Do you have preferred vendors?
Yes! For those services that we do not provide in-house, such as photography, DJ, wedding cakes, and specialty rentals, we are happy to provide a list of recommended local vendors.
WEDDINGS
Do I need a wedding planner?
Maybe. We offer basic planning services as part of our wedding packages, to help you plan your timeline and order of events. We even offer day-of coordination services as part of our a la carte menu. However, there are some services that a wedding planner provides that we do not offer. Please chat with us about your event and we would be happy to make recommendations.
Can I have a ceremony and a reception at your venue?
Yes! We have a variety of options to make your ceremony in our space beautiful, including a stage, various altars, florals, a grand piano, and so much more. Then, we flip the venue in only a few minutes so that the party can start!
Can I get married somewhere else and just have my reception there?
Yes! We offer access to the public park next door as a ceremony option, or you are welcome to coordinate your own ceremony venue and then invite your guests to ours for the reception.
CATERING
Can I see your full menus?
Of course! We publish our packages and pricing on our website, but for detailed offerings of food and drinks, Contact Us or Book a tour.
What is a Service Charge?
Great question. In general, a service charge is a fee (usually 18-26% in the Seattle area) that is added by a venue or independent catering company to act as an operating cost for things such as insurance, advertising, admin staff, truck maintenance, fuel to get to events, disposables, and various sundries. The service charge is not a gratuity. Nor is it part of mandatory state taxes.
How do I order off-site catering for my event that is NOT at your venue?
We love providing off-site catering, and our chef, Ian Hoyt, works hard to make your event memorable, no matter where it is hosted.
Contact Us today!
Can I provide my own Food or Beverages?
Maybe.
We do have a food and beverage minimum that you must meet for your event.
However, once that is satisfied, you do have the option to bring your own libations.
For example, you may wish to provide specialty dessert items or a special cultural dish. Maybe a specialty station (oyster bars or ice cream carts are a favorite!). We’ve even worked with vendors who provide whole roasted pigs!
As for the bar, we provide a wide range of beer, wine, and spirits. These can be hosted by you at various tiers (as pre-paid per-person packages or on consumption), offered as a cash bar to the guests, or a combination (such as hosted beer/wine, but cash spirits). We offer specialty cocktails, mocktails, and standard mixers. We even allow you to provide us with alternative beer and wine with an additional corkage/keg/case fee.
Is it local?
We pride ourselves in supporting local whenever possible. From Pacific NW featured spirits, beer, and wine options to fresh local salmon and sausages, if we can’t source it locally, we work hard to procure it from a local small business. Ask us about our locally sourced spice blends and more!
For Coordinators
What is it like to work with Imperia?
While Imperia does offer some coordination services, we LOVE working with event planners, and they LOVE working with us! Here are some of the reasons why:
Full Staffing and Catering is included at our venue, so there’s less you have to worry about on the big day. For example, you won’t be asked to move chairs around (our staff does that!) or replenish a buffet (yep, we do that too!).
We work with YOU to determine how much, or how little, the celebrants should be involved in planning meetings.
We follow your lead on client communications – whether we only communicate with you, or with the celebrants, or both.
We already have standard floor plans, suggested timelines, and other resources for you to utilize so that you don’t have to start from scratch when working with your clients.
We can manage and coordinate rentals (such as specialty linens or party favors), or leave it to you. It’s 100% your choice.
I see that Imperia also offers "coordination". How does that work?
Our coordination services are meant to facilitate a successful event with the celebrants. We include services such as a planning meeting, timelines, floor plans, unlimited emails, and some setup support.
When we work with a hired planner, that means we shift our included support to YOU.
It’s a seamless transition, allowing you to work with us as a professional partner. You still get to support your client in every way, with communications, vendor sourcing and selection, design, planning, and event execution.
What services do you provide?
- Venue
- Staffing
- Catering
- Wares (house linens, tableware, tables and chairs, etc)
- Bar/beverage
- Florals
- Decorative Elements
What services may I source from elsewhere?
You are welcome to utilize your own preferred vendor list!
The only Imperia-provided services we require are:
- Service Staffing
- Catering (up to food and beverage minimum. Specialty foods and desserts are welcome)
- Bar/Beverage Service (up to food and beverage minimum. Bar can be hosted, cash, or combination)
Can I join my clients at their food tasting?
Of course! Two guests are included in our complimentary tastings. For additional guests there is a fee for tasting; if you’re joining simply to support the couple, no additional fee is required.
Do you have a Preferred Planners list? How do I get to be on it?
Yes! We have a list of all of our preferred vendors that we share with all of our couples.
To be added, we must have a proven track record of successfully working with you.
About the Owners
An Unstoppable Duo
Natasha and Danielle Moser are Seattle locals and the proud owners of Imperia Lake Union. As wife and wife, together they bring 100% female ownership, 100% LGBTQ+ ownership, and as an Air Force veteran, Natasha brings 50% veteran ownership to the business.
The duo work together with the incredible staff to make your event a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Your event always has the care and attention to detail that a small business does best.
The Incredible Staff
Imperia’s employees and staff are the heart and soul of the operation. Our four full-time employees bring over 45 years of tenure with the company, and truly care about the venue, the business, and you!
Additionally, over 25 part time staff and a myriad of vendors and technicians come together to bring your event to life, before and during your event. From bartenders to servers, prep cooks to banquet captains, everyone at Imperia works together to make your experience truly memorable.