Kauai Elopements - reputable company?

Question

Me and my Fiancé are looking at having a microwedding in Kauai next December. We found Kauai elopments and they look great! Their prices are good (not too suspiciously cheap either) and their responsiveness is great as well. Our only issue is that they have less than 200 reviews on all their platforms, and all of their reviews are 5 stars. I've been trying to find reviews that arent posted by the company, but the problem is googling "kauai elopments" just gets you a lot of results in general and with other companies, not just people who've used this specific company. They've won some WeddingWire awards, but that also seems like a scam in itself because just about every company you google wins the exact same award.

Has anyone used them or heard about them?

Answer

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Planning a microwedding or elopement in Kauai sounds amazing, and it’s understandable to want to do thorough research when selecting a vendor, especially for something as special as your wedding. Here’s some advice and considerations based on your inquiry about Kauai Elopements.

About Kauai Elopements: It’s great that you’re considering Kauai Elopements, but I completely understand your hesitation with the reviews and lack of diversity in feedback. While it's fantastic that the company has responsive communication and competitive pricing, the fact that all reviews are 5 stars and that there are fewer than 200 reviews may raise some red flags, especially if the reviews don’t seem to come from diverse sources. Some things to consider:

Research the Owner and Team: It can be helpful to find out more about the company’s owner or the people behind the business. You can try searching for their name or looking at their social media presence to see if they have a history in the wedding or event planning industry.
Check for Reviews Outside of the Company’s Platforms: While Kauai Elopements may be getting great reviews on their own website and platforms, try to look for independent sources. Websites like The Knot or WeddingWire can sometimes offer genuine reviews that are harder to manipulate, so it might be worth expanding your search.
Ask for References: Don’t hesitate to ask Kauai Elopements directly for past client references or testimonials. If they’ve worked with other couples, they should be able to connect you with them. Speaking to someone who has used their services firsthand will provide invaluable insight into their quality and reliability.
Search for Photos and Videos: Ask the company for photos or videos from their past events. A reputable company should have a portfolio or an Instagram page that showcases actual weddings or elopements they’ve organized. This can help you get a clearer picture of their work and style.
Check for Business Credentials: Ensure that the company is legally registered to operate in Hawaii and has the appropriate licenses and insurance, especially for events like weddings. This gives you more peace of mind that they are a legitimate business.

Alternatives and Other Reputable Companies: Kauai has no shortage of professional wedding planners and companies that specialize in elopements. If you are unsure about Kauai Elopements, here are some options to consider:

Simple Hawaiian Weddings: Known for providing beautiful, customizable elopement packages. They have excellent reviews across multiple platforms and offer great value for money.
Kauai Weddings by Taryn: A well-known local wedding planner who specializes in intimate events and elopements. They have a strong reputation and lots of positive feedback on WeddingWire and The Knot.
Aloha Weddings Kauai: Another popular option with a focus on simplicity and beautiful beach weddings. They offer a variety of packages and have multiple testimonials available for review.

Additional Tips: If you feel good about Kauai Elopements and want to move forward with them, just make sure you get everything in writing, from the ceremony location to the services included. Contracts should outline all details clearly so that you’re fully covered in case anything changes closer to the wedding date.

In short, do as much research as possible, ask for references, and look at real photos and videos of past weddings they’ve worked on. If the reviews still seem too perfect and you don’t feel entirely confident, don’t hesitate to explore other options that are more transparent with their clients.

Best of luck with your wedding planning! Kauai is a beautiful place for such a special occasion, and I’m sure it will be an unforgettable experience regardless of the company you choose!