Venue Spotlight: Getting Married at Café Julia, Honolulu

Café Julia is one of Oahu’s most charming hidden gems for a wedding — tucked away in the YWCA building in downtown Honolulu. The Spanish mission-style architecture, column-lined courtyard, and overhead string lights create an effortlessly romantic backdrop for ceremonies, receptions, or both.

Key Venue Details

Venue Name: Café Julia at the YWCA
Location: 1040 Richards St, Honolulu, HI 96813
Style: European courtyard, mission-style architecture
Guest Capacity: Up to approx. 200 guests
Rental Fee: Starts at around $4,000 – $6,500 depending on the day and hours reserved
Catering: Exclusively in-house through Café Julia’s culinary team
Event Timeframes: Typical venue access begins in the afternoon with end time no later than 10 PM

Pro Tip: Since Café Julia handles its own catering, couples should factor menu pricing into the total wedding budget — average per plate starts around $45–$70+ depending on selections.

Venue Pros

• Incredible ambiance at night — the café’s bistro lighting and tall windows create an ethereal evening glow
• Architectural charm — arches, tiled floors, and a private feel make it feel transported from Europe
• Central Honolulu location — easy access for local and traveling guests
• Intimate Feeling — the space feels tucked away and secluded from the chaos of the city
• All-in-one convenience — ceremony and reception can both be held on-site

Venue Challenges to Consider

• Urban location = limited portrait options. While beautiful, the surrounding cityscape can be a bit limiting for wedding portraits. Most couples opt to stay close to the venue, which means less visual variety in backgrounds unless a first look or off-site session is scheduled.
• Parking logistics. Although there is a parking garage directly across the street, it may be confusing for guests to navigate, especially those unfamiliar with downtown. You’ll want to send detailed directions (with screenshots or pins) for both parking and walking to the venue entrance.
• Daylight limitations. The courtyard gets shadowy in the late afternoon, which makes lighting control crucial for clean photography or video coverage. Select a photographer that knows how to work with difficult lighting scenarios.
• No aesthetic getting ready space. Most couples who get married here opt to get ready in town at one of the hotels. Factor in drive time to the venue!

Photographer’s Insight

Café Julia weddings are intimate, textured, and full of charm, but they require intentional planning to maximize what the space offers. We typically recommend scheduling a separate first look earlier in the day at a nearby beach or garden for variety in your photo gallery. That way, you capture both the European romance of the venue and the tropical beauty of Oahu.